he's a romantic, wit, social commentator and lyrical storyteller...
. . . though Matthew Strachan isn’t best known for his skill as a singer and songwriter. He is more used to being introduced as “The Award Winning Composer of the WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE theme tune”. Yet over a career that has lasted more than two decades, Matthew has amassed an impressive songbook that goes far closer to revealing where his true talent and passion lies.
Raised in London and Hertfordshire, but mostly in the wings of stages, the time he spent around theatres as a youngster certainly influenced both his piano style and his songwriting, which in later years also took on the Nashville collaborations with J. Fred Knobloch, Tom Kimmel and Thom Schuyler. A songwriter since his teens, his songs within the space of a few bars can be honest, romantic, awestruck, damning and funny but never overly sentimental or patronising. Matthew uses songwriting as a framework for simple storytelling, expressing thoughts and unashamedly tackling areas and issues with a deftness that might surprise, introducing complex narratives and a fascination with relationships and the nook and crannies and ironies of situations and characters. And there is a simplicity to his piano playing and lyrics which expresses his true wit and individuality as an artist. A twelve time ASCAP award winner and recently inducted into the ASCAP Hall of Fame, Matthew’s 25 YEAR SONGBOOK album is an idiosyncratic selection of his songs from he past 25 years. Sometimes inspired by avaricious television moguls, serial killers, internet mavericks and sneaky journalists, sometimes just simple observations and bitter sweet reflections of a more personal nature, it entertains like a vicious game show! 
"Each song has the ingenious structure of a mini-play"
The Guardian "As a writer of witty words, as well as a pianist, Strachan’s talents are immense." Public Reviews "nostalgic, bitter sweet, and slyly humorous" remotegoat "immeasurably talented" Public Reviews |
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