Nineteen years after stepping away from live television performances, singer-songwriter Matt Corby has surprised many, including himself, by performing at a major New Year’s Eve celebration. This marked a significant departure for the artist, who had actively avoided such high-profile public events since his teenage years on a reality competition show.
Confronting Past Trauma
Corby, who competed at age 16 on a popular talent program, previously expressed a strong aversion to these kinds of situations. “I swore to myself I would never put myself in that position again,” he revealed in a social media post following the recent performance. “I couldn’t really handle the negativity and ridicule.” The decision to perform again stemmed from a desire to challenge himself. “Something in my brain was like, you know what? Just have a go and try to stay calm through it. I’m glad I did,” he stated, a sentiment echoed by many who witnessed his performance.
During the event, Corby not only delivered his own acclaimed material but also captivated audiences with his renditions of INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” and Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” both of which have been prominent in recent music charts.
Reflecting on the experience, Corby shared, “It felt great on the night and afterwards I was really proud of myself.” He added, “You get to make peace with your younger self. It’s freed me up mentally to be able to do it again, potentially. Or not be so afraid of putting myself out there.” Despite his status as a multi-award-winning, platinum-selling artist known for his captivating live shows, Corby has previously described his reality TV beginnings as a “big f***ing mistake.” After finishing as runner-up in 2007, he declined a major record label deal, his discomfort with performing for external validation leading him to retreat from the public eye.
‘Tragic Magic’ Unveiled
This personal breakthrough coincides with the release of Corby’s latest album, “Tragic Magic,” his fourth consecutive album to reach the top 10 on the ARIA Album Charts. The new record showcases his powerful vocals, alongside his considerable talents as a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. “Singing for me is steeped in emotion because I’ve always been a singer since I was young, and that’s what I’m known for,” Corby explained. “For me, arranging and getting to just be a player without the pressure of lyrics, melody and the performative nature of being a vocalist? It’s really appealing.”
Corby had initially considered releasing an instrumental album, drawing from material created while collaborating with other artists. His extensive production credits include work with Budjerah, Tash Sultana, The Dregss, and Kita Alexander, among others. “If I’m waiting on a session to start, I’m always in the studio early and think, ‘I’m just going to make a little beat today.’ In about half an hour, there’s bass and drums or a groove.” While an instrumental project is “still coming,” “Tragic Magic” stands as a significant artistic statement in its own right.
Album Highlights
The album features standout tracks such as the slow-burning “War To Love,” the smooth “Long and Short,” which evokes comparisons to Marvin Gaye and Bon Iver, and “Burn It Down,” a collaboration with Meg Mac featuring an energetic bassline and disco-infused strings. “Maggie,” a track co-written with Maggie, incorporates an impromptu recording of magpie birdsong into a cinematic pop arrangement.
As with his 2018 album “Rainbow Valley,” Corby played most instruments on “Tragic Magic,” but this time with less emphasis on technical display. “I dropped a lot of the pretence, needing to show myself I’m a good player,” he admitted. “I tried to do that way too much in the last couple records, and it ends up feeling worse.” He added, “I felt comfortable in the level at which I’m playing instruments, that I felt I had less to prove to myself, which is good.”
The album’s creation was a collaborative effort, with Corby working closely with trusted friends and producers Chris Collins and songwriter Nat Dunn. Their shared goal was to create music that felt authentic. “We just wanted it to feel good, instead of being too concerned about what our perception of what other people want,” Corby stated. This approach proved “freeing,” allowing him to focus on his genuine artistic preferences.
Grief and Artistic Growth
Corby’s creative philosophy centers on trusting initial instincts. “When I’m writing a song, we’re always the closest to how it should feel at the very beginning,” he explained. An example of this is “Know It All,” which retains the raw emotion of a spontaneous piano ballad demo. “I listen back and I hear that day, and the feeling is preserved.” This track, which develops into a haunting, string-laden piece, reflects on the loss of Corby’s stepmother to pancreatic cancer.
“It was really paying homage to those moments,” Corby said of the song. “She brought a lot of laughter, fun and light into so many people’s lives. And that was kind of the magic of being in that grieving period where we were honouring her as a human.” The album title, “Tragic Magic,” encapsulates this bittersweet perspective on life and loss. “It’s sort of funny: life is always going to end in tragedy. But there’s moments along the way where we get to think and feel and experience good and bad. That’s the magical part.”
The album explores themes of grief, gratitude, and the impact of his roles as a husband and father. Songs like “Is It Healthy” mask vulnerability with upbeat instrumentation, while “Locked In” offers a soulful devotion. “If I didn’t have you, I would die,” Corby sings. “Sad Eyes,” a tender track addressed to his son, Hugh, expresses a father’s hope for his child’s resilience as he grows. “When you are in need/ I’ll be where you left me / It’s okay to forget me,” the chorus poignanty states.
From TV Contestant to Artistic Control
“Tragic Magic” highlights Corby’s significant evolution since his early days competing on television. This November will mark 15 years since the release of his breakout hit, “Brother.” Corby revealed the song was written partly out of defiance. “My manager at the time said ‘can you just write an upbeat song? Please?!’ I was like, ‘I’ll give you a f***ing upbeat song!’ “Just to prove, ‘I can do that. I just don’t want to, you know?’ Then the song blew up, which was hilarious.”
“Brother” achieved significant chart success and critical acclaim, with Corby acknowledging its lasting impact. “That bloody ‘oooh-eh oh’ noise. Oh my god, leave me alone!” he joked about the song’s memorable hook. “But I love what that song has done for my career. And I think it’s a special song for people and that’s great. That’s part of the job. I can’t hate on it or roll me eyes. It’s just part of my story and, without it, potentially we wouldn’t be sitting her having his conversation.”
Reflecting on his journey, Corby humorously speculated about what his younger self would think of his current work. “I think young Matty would be pretty happy.” He described his pre-parenthood years as a period of “fight or flight,” but expressed pride in his career management. “I don’t do a lot of social media or reveal a lot about my everyday life, which I think more people should do.”
Corby’s decision to largely opt out of the algorithm-driven music landscape has had its trade-offs, but he finds satisfaction in his creative autonomy and distance from public validation. “I’ve just really tried to stick to my craft. In all facets of the creative side of the job, I think I’ve really dove into headfirst and try my best to be as good as I can be.”
“Tragic Magic” is available now. Matt Corby is currently on tour, with upcoming dates in Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, and Brisbane.
