With just days out from Matt Corby’s latest album release, Tragic Magic, the Australian artist is ready to finally release it into the wild. “We finished the record a long time ago, so it’s just been drip feeding songs.”
Being his fourth time going through the album release process, I asked Corby what he typically does on album release day, and whether he’ll be listening to the album on Friday alongside audiences. “No f**n way” he chuckled. “When you’re in the studio, you’re listening to maybe the same 30 seconds for like an hour.” Being so in the weeds of the creative process of this album, it was important for Corby to lean on those around him throughout the process. “Your ears get really tired, and you start making really weird decisions that aren’t affecting the song in a positive way.”
Tragic Magic didn’t begin with a plan to create an album filled with the soulful vocals and emotional lyricism audiences are used to hearing from Corby. Instead, it began as an idea for an instrumentals album. “The funny thing is, I was really making an instrumentals album, which no one was into” he laughed. “They were like, you’re a singer, why aren’t you singing? Me being in my own little bubble, I just wanted to make a beats record.”
He gave us a look around his studio, where he does writing sessions and production for other Aussie artists. It was in this studio, before these sessions, where he started to build out what would become the album. “Normally one out of three of those days in the studio that week something really cool happens, before anyone gets there”. It was those moments, combined with times when Corby would hang out with collaborators Chris Collins and Nat Dunn, that the album came together. “They’d come to the studio and we’d just write something for the sake of writing something…never really with the idea of “lets make an album or lets make a single””.
While the instrumental only album didn’t eventuate, it’s clear how important this part of the creative process is to Corby. As a co-producer on every track, and playing a majority of the instrumentals heard on the album, Corby said “that’s the thing that keeps me going.”
“I feel like I was hearing it all when I was younger, but just lacked the ability to make it work as a player. As soon as I put the time and effort in, which was a long journey…it made the exploration of writing music really fun”.
The album carries many themes throughout it; themes of fatherhood, friendship, grief, isolation and joy. Tracks like “Sad Eyes” explore being a parent from Corby’s viewpoint. “I think it’s been great in terms of me not taking music as seriously” he said when discussing how being a dad has impacted his artistry. “It changed everything..it gives you a good perspective on why you’re doing it and why it’s enjoyable”. Tragic Magic sees Corby exploring different sounds and styles, and simply “having more fun with it” as he says.
When creating an album, it can be hard for an artist to block out the noise and avoid following trends. For Corby, he doesn’t prescribe to the idea that artists need to be online to connect with fans. “I don’t think people wanna know about musicians lives, I think it’s a misconception.. some people are naturally good at it, I am not that person”. While understanding that it can help some artists grow, Corby recognised that being online didn’t serve him and his music any justice. “I think I had to switch it off a long time ago, just for my own sanity.. I’d rather just stay in my own little bubble and see where that journey takes me”.
Corby will be bringing Tragic Magic to life on the stage when he takes off on tour this June. “I love playing shows, I feel really lucky to be able to do it still…it’s been a long live career for me and I hope it doesn’t slow down any time soon”.
Matt Corby’s fourth album Tragic Magic is available to listen on streaming platforms from April 17. You can pre-order merch and vinyl HERE
The Tragic Magic Tour dates
Gretta Ray will be supporting Matt at the following shows
Wednesday 3rd June – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Thursday 4th June – Riverside Theatre, Perth
Tuesday 9th June – The Forum, Melbourne
Friday 12th June – Newcastle Civic Theatre
Sunday 14th June – The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Matt Corby will also be performing at the Winter Wine Festival in Gerringong (Saturday 6th June), and at Vivid in Tumbalong Park, Sydney (Saturday 13th June).
Tickets for The Tragic Magic Tour this June are on-sale now. Get your tickets here: https://www.frontiertouring.com/mattcorby
