Ard Matthews` debut solo album “First Offerings” will be released in stores on the 30th July 2012. For fans that cannot wait, the album can be streamed and is available for download in any format on Ard`s web store here.

Ard Matthews is known as one of South Africa`s most prolific singer/songwriters. His heartfelt music and dynamic stage performances have inspired people both locally and internationally. As the front man of South African band Just Jinjer, his indelible lyrics and melodic arrangements led the way to the success of their debut album title ‘All Comes Round’, which became one of the biggest selling albums of all time in South Africa in their genre. The album achieved double platinum status in its first year, with the follow up album “Something for now” reaching the same status a year later.

In 2010 a decision was made to pursue a solo album, and so began an extensive writing process which took Ard all over the world and around South Africa – from sailing around the Mafia Islands, to visiting India on an extended trip in February 2012. 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. With brand new tracks and some formidable life experience behind him, the new album is set to introduce an exciting solo path for Ard Matthews.

“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 are ready to listen to raw, unpretentious, brutally honest music, because that is what this is about ” says Ard of the album. “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.

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Upcoming shows:

13th July – 5FM / Billabong Pro Music Festival – Jeffrey’s Bay – http://www.5fm.co.za/events/the-5fm-music-festival-the-billabong-pro

22nd July – Moyo – Kirstenbosch Gardens – Cape Town – (Acoustic/Solo) – http://www.moyo.co.za/contact-us.aspx

6th August – Gateway Barnyard Theatre – Durban – http://www.barnyardtheatre.co.za/findus.aspx?vid=4

29th September – Symphonic Rocks – Cape Town – http://symphonicrocks.co.za/

6th October – Symphonic Rocks – Johanneburg – http://symphonicrocks.co.za/

 

Tweet @ardmatthews Hashtag: #FirstOfferings // find out more on www.facebook.com/ardmatthews

Categories: Music