In 2010 a decision was made to pursue a solo album and so began an extensive writing process which took Matthews all over the world and around South Africa. The album draws on many themes and thoughts and was recorded over a period of many months, with the last few penned at his beach house in Durban where he now lives with his canine companion Jeff. The new album is set to introduce an exciting solo path for him.
"This album has been a diary of my life in a way. It is a musical depiction of where I've been over the last couple of years and I'm really excited to share it with you all. I hope that the public is ready to listen to raw, unpretentious, brutally honest music, because that is what this is about," Matthews said. "It also turns out that the general theme is love again, I guess that's just me - no point in changing that now, right? While trends and fashions come and go, love always prevails."
"First Offerings" is an independent release and will be distributed by MESH (Music & Entertainment Solutions Hub.) All tracks were written, produced, recorded and performed by Ard Matthews. Guest artists such as Tumi (and the Volume), John Ellis, Paul Hepker, Theo Crous, rugby great Alistair Hargreaves and big-wave surfers Ryan Butcher and Greg Bertish are credited where they appear. The album was mixed in Los Angeles by Bryan Cook (Train, Five for Fighting) and mastered by Hans DeKline.
The live band that will represent this album is called The Ard Matthews Affair and features Ard on vocals and bass guitar accompanied by an all-star line-up that currently consists of John Ellis (Tree 63) on guitar and Josh Klynsmith (Gangs of Ballet) on drums.
• 13 July: 5FM/Billabong Pro Music Festival , Jeffrey's Bay. (www.5fm.co.za/events/the-5fm-music-festival-the-billabong-pro)
• 22 July: Moyo, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town. (Acoustic/solo.) (www.moyo.co.za/contact-us.aspx)
• 6 August: Gateway Barnyard Theatre, Durban. (www.barnyardtheatre.co.za/findus.aspx?vid=4)
• 29 September: Symphonic Rocks, Cape Town. (htttp://symphonicrocks.co.za/)
• 6th October : Symphonic Rocks, Joburg. (http://symphonicrocks.co.za/)
Twitter: @ardmatthews Hashtag: #FirstOfferings.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ardmatthews
