Matt Smith (guitarist)
Encyclopedia
Matt Smith is an Australian jazz
guitarist. He is most widely known as the guitarist in the Australian rock pop band Thirsty Merc
but also plays guitar for Sydney afrobeat/reggae band The Strides. Matt joined Thirsty Merc in January 2010 after helping record the band's third album, Mousetrap Heart, in Los Angeles in late 2009.
Throughout high school, Matt played in the school concert band and during his HSC developed an interest in jazz. He then went on to study at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
and completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Music in 2007.
, lead singer of Thirsty Merc, at a gig in Sydney and went on to work with Rai on his solo tour. After Sean, lead guitarist for Thirsty Merc, left the band indefinitely, Matt was asked to record the album Mousetrap Heart with the rest of the band in Los Angeles. Matt was officially made apart of the band in January 2010.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
guitarist. He is most widely known as the guitarist in the Australian rock pop band Thirsty Merc
Thirsty Merc
Thirsty Merc are an Australian pop rock band formed in 2002 in Sydney, Australia. The band consists of Rai Thistlethwayte , Phil Stack , Karl Robertson , and Matt Smith ....
but also plays guitar for Sydney afrobeat/reggae band The Strides. Matt joined Thirsty Merc in January 2010 after helping record the band's third album, Mousetrap Heart, in Los Angeles in late 2009.
Early Years
Matt grew up in Mount Warrigal which is a large suburb of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. From the age of 5 he took classical piano lessons because he was told that his hands were too small to play guitar. He eventually got his way and was given his first guitar for his 8th birthday and started tuition at 10.Throughout high school, Matt played in the school concert band and during his HSC developed an interest in jazz. He then went on to study at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is a centre for music education and performance serving the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the English Tudor style Gleniffer Brae Manor House and grounds, part of the Wollongong Botanic Gardens in the suburb of Keiraville. Andrew...
and completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Music in 2007.
Thirsty Merc
Matt first met Rai ThistlethwayteRai Thistlethwayte
Rai Thistlethwayte is an Australian rock and jazz musician and songwriter. Rai is an accomplished pianist, guitarist, and vocalist. He is most widely known as the lead singer and primary songwriter in the Australian rock pop band Thirsty Merc...
, lead singer of Thirsty Merc, at a gig in Sydney and went on to work with Rai on his solo tour. After Sean, lead guitarist for Thirsty Merc, left the band indefinitely, Matt was asked to record the album Mousetrap Heart with the rest of the band in Los Angeles. Matt was officially made apart of the band in January 2010.