Sydney singer-songwriter Matt Boylan-Smith has today delivered a striking new single ‘We Dream Of River Songs’.
Championed by his cinematic style of songwriting, this graceful ballad features layers of soaring vocals, striking melodies, simmering percussion and a solemn string section.
Matt has truly crafted something magnificent with the release, proving the wait for his return was well worth it following his last release ‘We Can Be Together’ back in 2017.
“I wrote ‘We Dream of River Songs’ as I was discovering some new instruments… whilst dreaming about a magical chance-meeting by the water that I had in a place called Riverhouse,” said Matt. “Things seemed a little easier to me in those moments, and I wanted to try and recapture and manifest that all with the songwriting. With what is currently happening in the world, the song has taken on even more meaning to me, as I strive to hold on to my wonderful memories and manifest new ones.”
To celebrate the release of ‘We Dream Of River Songs’, Matt reveals his five favourite cities that he’s performed in.
Buenos Aires
I completely fell in love with this city. I remember flying in and watching Jose Gonzalez perform in this big old auditorium the first night I arrived. I was performing at a Sofar Sounds a few nights later and his support act Ainda were on the lineup .I think there were about 60 or so people crammed into the place on stairs and up close and it was totally unplugged. To this day, no audience were as engaged as they were in Argentina. I remember performing at a showcase night after that show in this big old hall. At one point, the venue manager waked outside to the street and asking passer byes to keep quiet so people could listen inside. They love their music there.
Athens
I played a couple of shows in Athens on a roof top of this old building in Piraeus Harbour and they were incredible shows against the backdrop of a city so rich in history and architecture. I was at the end of a European run of shows and was lucky enough to have a tour guide that I met earlier on the tour whilst doing a residency in Ios at the beautiful Harmony Bar, so I got a good glimpse of the city by a local. The audience was once again so very engaged and for the open air show we were surrounded by eons old backlit columns with the Acropolis looking over us all. I remember the police came at some point on the second night of the concert due to noise complaints and instead of shutting thigs down they came up and watched the show.
Cologne
Germany is a country I have toured more extensively than most and I have been lucky enough to do a few shows there. My first gig in Cologne was a Sofar Sounds in a living room there, playing with a guy called Lueke Thompson. I’ve since been back to perform another Sofar Sounds as well as a bigger ticketed show at a wonderful venue called The Blue Shell surrounded by a wonderful audience on a Monday night. They love their music there. The city has a beautiful old town alongside a wonderful music scene with an attentive and interested audience. Cologne and its people inspired me to write “Share my Name” which is a song I intend to release after We Dream of River Songs
Bremen comes in a close second to Cologne by sheer weight of shows I’ve done there and for it’s old town. I know this is cramping and extra city in but just wanted to mention performing in this old converted monastery that was built in the twelfth century.
London
I have been lucky enough to perform a fair bit in London over the last few years. The scene there is rich, varying and competitive and it was wonderful to be part of some showcase nights and seeing and talking to the expats and locals in the crowd afterwards. I love getting lost in the old streets, wandering around and making sense of it all by performing. London inspired me to write a song called Somewhere in Soho – a ballad based on my time visiting and performing there, which I’m looking to release soon as well. These cities inspire my creativity.
Bathurst
Bathurst is the town I originally began my music journey. I don’t get to play there often but when I do it’s just wonderful to perform to the friends and family that I have grown up with. It punches above its weight in terms of how many people live there with it’s events and the pedigree musicians. I’m still very much involved with the local scene still performing at festivals and showcases. The town and local councils also get behind charitable showcase nights i’ve run in the past along great local musicians Like Andy Nelson and Smith & Jones. A highlight there would be playing on a stage on the oval with my band for the pre match entertainment for a National Rugby League match. I needed the help of a rugby league match to play to and audience of 10 000 but I’m still claiming it!
Listen to ‘We Dream Of River Songs’ below.