Matthew van der Want - songs, vocals, guitar, hysterics
Sounds Like
Matthew van der Want (only better)
South African songwriter (and attorney, ex part-time arts journalist and one-time lecturer in law. )
I have been on myspace since April 2007.
In 1996, Tic Tic Bang! released my debut solo CD "Turn on You", Licensed from Shifty Records.
Then in 1997, Chris Letcher and I released "ep Tombi", through Tic Tic Bang. Chris and I met while his former band, Urban Creep, were recording in the same studio in which my debut, "Turn on You" was recorded by Lloyd Ross of Shifty.
"ep Tombi" was a giant raspberry directed at the South African music fishbowl and a fantastically bad career move. It made lots of people hate us - think they got over it, though. It made a couple of diehards laugh. I still think the liner notes are inspired.
In 1998, Tic Tic Bang! released the "van der want/letcher: low riding" CD. It was hailed by the critics: "two of the country's best songwriters unite on an exceptional...". Chris and I toured SA for the next two years pretty much non-stop. Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Grahamstown, Northam, Wilderness, Kimberley (perhaps the worst gig in the history of music...ever), Stellenbosch etc. It was gruelling and felt like we were not making a difference. Since stopping doing music full-time, I've realised that we were making a difference. A small one.
In 2001, during a lengthy break from the recording of Chris and my next full-length album, (occasioned (mainly) by my histrionics), I released "play my way", a solo CD through my own label, bichin' pitchin. Produced, recorded, written, directed and starring... My "Clint Eastwood" record. I recorded and toured this album while studying a law degree at Wits University, Johannesburg. In fact, as I recall, "play my way" funded my studies, as I did not have to give 88% of the profits to a record company. I had, in a previous life, obtained the Bachelor of Arts and English Literature Honours degrees from the same university.
In 2002, Sheer Music released "van der want/letcher: bignity". Sheer is Chris Letcher's current label. At around this time, Sheer offered me a distribution deal for "play my way". These negotiations ended with me asking a Sheer minion to resend his emailed deal proposal, as every time I opened it, my screen kept filling up with sh!t... True story. Burning bridges has never been difficult for me. I can be impossible.
In the meanwhile, I fooled around in my home recording studio and in 2003, I produced "Kombuis Musiek - various artists sing the songs of Koos Kombuis" which was released by Benjy Mudie of Fresh Music. A fight with Gary Herselman, who had worked on the album with me, ended my interest in the project and I did not take up Benjy Mudie's offer to extend the contract.
I started my legal articles at Wits Law Clinic in 2002 and finished them at a glamourous Johannesburg law firm, working for a madman with a calvinist work ethic, before returning to Wits Law Clinic, where I worked for a year as an attorney doing evictions work for the extremely poor.
Chris and I got together for a whirlwind, whiskey-soaked (nothing younger than 15 years) tour of SA late in 2005, and released a tour CD called "Casual Killing". Well, "released" is a little strong, really. We sold it on tour. Some of those songs now appear on a twenty track "best of" CD I put together in May 2008 called "Matthew van der Want: best & worst". With Lloyd Ross' blessing, I put "best & worst" together while working as a senior associate regulatory and natural resources lawyer at a massive commercial law firm in Johannesburg.
I play the occasional gig solo or with Chris (when he's in SA, although this hasn't happened for a while). The New Plan is to put a band together...scratch that. The New Plan is the same as the old plan - I'm a solo artist who sings about himself. Deal with it. Yes, the "putting a band together" thing didn't really work out. I fired the drummer, who then stole my guitarist. I did some solo shows with the bass player, who, for a while, was also my guitarist. Happy families. The most memorable of these was an "acoustic encounters" slot with Harris Tweed at the Grahamstown Festival in July 2008
I have sat through 3 (three) SAMA award ceremonies as a nominee, but I have never won anything.
I read the Amises - Kingsley and Martin. And Julian Barnes. I recently found Martin Amis' myspace page and asked to be his "friend". Feels a bit creepy.
I smoke and drink.
I am divorced and have two daughters, Emily (6) and Sarah (1.5). I live in a flat in Linden, Johannesburg, next door to Chris Chameloen's mother.
I'm seeing a lawyer.
Record Label
unsigned previously Sheer, Tic Tic Bang and Shifty
Best and Worst of Matthew van der Want - new CD. mail mvdwant@hotmail.com to order.
I have a few gigs set up for October and November 2008 - 2 October 2008 wih Paul E Flynn and Laurie Levine at Cafe Barcelona and then some in November with Simon van Gend, a Capetonian songwriter.
I played at the Grahamstown Festival, 1,2 and 4 July 2008 Old Mutual Acoutic Encounters with Sean Strydom and Harris Tweed. It was good. The management company asked us to do it again, and then reneged, saying the sponsors wanted more black musicians involved, as this would help them to sell more insurance policies. Nice one.
Well, if it ties in with fests next August I think that was kind of on the cards anyway. Would be great...I even have pipedreams of bringing the family too. Only a lottery win away
You're coming to London! Fantastic, and spooky since I nearly sent you a message asking whether you had any UK travelling plans last week and then thought, no that's a silly question...See you here then, I hope!
am fine, thank you - also C I think - though a horrible drinking episode last night has rendered me incapable of constructive NHS-based work. glad about the licks, shame about the world domination. In the light of the other current potential candidates, I think you should reconsider.
Howzit! Hectic about the bass player man. Doesn't know what he's missing.... Hope the search is going well. Had a listen to last months demo's and they really cook! Good Luck N
Hey there myspace friend, just a reminder, if you didn't know yet our debut album is in stores all over SA, if you can't find it or if you do not live in South Africa, here is a link to buy it online.
oh bugger! re bass player. But then again these Persons of Height are not to be trusted. Speaking of which, I believe he's fine. Both busy as hell, as you can tell from my Myspace Presence. Actually I am feeling a bit holidayish this morning, largely because it's been sunny in London for about three days in a row, which is something of a record. And because I haven't had a hangover for about three days in a row... ditto. C has too much work. It's no good.
Matthew, shot for accepting the add. Been a huge fan since a million years ago in the 90's. Seen you play countless times over the years. Never had the guts to come over and say hoezit. But as we get older we get bolder.
hey matt did u get my email with jems email addy? i'm in oz at the mo on tour with farryl purkiss / bob evans - not getting any phone calls on sa number sorry..
