Corby ready to strike a chord with hometown crowd

HE’S used to touring all over the country, so performing a gig in Byron for the first time since last year’s Bluesfest will be a pleasant change for Matt Corby.

“It’s nice playing a local show,” the 34-year-old singer-songwriter said. “It took me about 15 minutes to drive from my studio to the site last time. Usually, you have to get on a plane with eight pieces of gear and stay in a hotel.”

Corby, who became a household name when he was runner up on Australian Idol as a teenager in 2007, will perform at The Green Room at Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah this Saturday March 22.

The event is one of 300 gigs taking place around the state as part of the NSW government initiative Great Southern Nights that aims to bring quality acts to regional areas.

“I feel like we’re cheating because I’m at home pretty much,” Corby said.

Corby moved to the Northern Rivers with his partner, who comes from the area, in 2016 to buy a house with a recording studio.

The couple has since moved to another property near Murwillumbah, but Corby still drives to the studio to work every day.

Since having children – Hugh, 7, and Sol, 2 – the man behind ARIA-award-winning songs Brother and Resolution has felt less inclined to spend time on the road.

He’s begun working in production sound engineering, welcoming musicians such as Jack River, Harrison Storm and Emily Rink to his studio.

“I feel like I have more ideas for other people than I do for myself,” he said. “There’s less of a barrier between your ego and what you feel like should happen musically. I’m loving that.”

When it comes to his own songs, Corby said his style is constantly evolving.

“It might annoy people, but it keeps me interested and happy,” he said. “I feel like it would be funny if you were to show someone one of the first songs I released and the record I’m working on now. It would seem like opposite people.”

For more information and tickets, visit greatsouthernnights.com.au/matt-corby