This article is an instalment of the Songcards Spotlight series where we interview the humans that make it all possible. We recommend you start by clicking the play button above and reading whilst enjoying the artist's music.
Who is Matt Cahill?
Matt Cahill is an Australian singer/songwriter & composer. As a graduate of the Ryzard Pusz School of Percussion he has been actively involved with bands since the early eighties, although most notably in his 18 year tenure as 'Vocalist/Guitarist' with the multi award winning Australian band 'The Violets'. Disillusioned with the traditional 'band' format, he eventually formed EVOLETAH, not so much as a band but as a 'musical project' to record songs written for The Violets that had never been recorded. Having 'Cherry Picked' members, this resulted in the project's initial offering 'Fool's Errand'.
Since then, he has handpicked collaborators to make albums with in not a dissimilar way to that of Jason Swinscoe, producer of 'The Cinematic Orchestra'.
Among other projects, including the avant-electro duo 'The Quiet Room' & Fuzz-Pop outfit 'Catch 23',
Matt is also the creative director of the 'Paper Rock Scissors' record label since 2005.
What is your origin story?
Originally, I wanted to be a drummer, although I wasn't as successful at that discipline as I would have liked. On one occasion, I was singing along to a song on the radio with a friend of mine in the car & he was visibly excited that I could pitch…He then encouraged me to turn up to a rehearsal for a band that he was in & to my surprise, I got the job.
When did you realise you wanted to make music?
When I was very small, perhaps four or five, my grandmother used to play the piano & I would sit under the piano at her feet. I knew even then, that I wanted to be inside of music & not just a listener. At about ten years old, I snuck into my Aunt's room (She had a very expensive HiFi stereo system) & I turned it on while Al Stewert’s ‘Year of the cat’ was on the turntable. I leant my head into her very expensive speakers & drifted away with the melancholy & expertise of the playing….
From that moment onwards, I was hooked.
Who are your long-standing influences?
David Syvlian
Mark Hollis
John Cage
Thom Yorke
Cy Curnin
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician?
When I was young & signed to record companies, I had many people doing all the business side of things, & so unfortunately I didn't learn the necessary skills to self-manage my art & best interests. Within the modern framework of the music industry, it’s definitely in the Artists best interest to have these skills from the get-go.
What are you working on at the moment?
In amongst my ‘Mixing & Mastering’ work, I’m currently in collaboration with pianist Ben Johns, for the next EVOLETAH album, to follow up the last two studio albums,
'Run with the Hunted' (2021) & 'Calliope Dreaming' (2023) .
What would you tell your younger self?
Stop worrying about what others think of you & just forge ahead!
I think that as a younger artist, I was overly preoccupied with our fame. Luckily, somewhere along the way I discovered the freedom of being under no expectations musically.
“Find what you love & let it kill you” Charles Bukowski
Which band or artist are you really excited about at the moment?
Exit North.
Where can people find your music?
What’s next for Matt Cahill?
After having spent extremely productive months in both 'Twin Earth' & ‘The Audiogarage' studios, The Violets are now embarking on the preparation of their brand new album, due for release in 2026 & also for their 30th Anniversary Show, of their Award Winning debut album ‘Leased Regret’ , in August this year.
