Matt Gardiner is a Durban singer and musician and we thought it was time we all got to know him better!
Tell us a bit about your background in Durban
I have lived in KZN for all but one year of my life. In that year I lived in Pretoria, where I studied Civil Engineering. I only did that for my first year at varsity, because halfway through I wondered what on earth I was doing pursuing something that wasn’t even a dream of mine. That’s when I left to study and play music full time. KZN is such an amazing place to play, and the people here are amazing to play for. I always feel so welcome wherever I go, and I want to have a role in making KZN one of the big music hubs in the country.
When did you start your business/craft/brand?
I started singing when I was about 5. It started as singing along to CD’s in the car, and it progressed to being in choirs, then to karaoke, and finally to actually performing by the time I was in grade 9 in 2011. My first ever gig was actually getting the chance to open up for South African legends, Prime Circle. Walking onto that stage was the moment I realised what I was supposed to do for the rest of my life.
Tell us about your business/craft/brand
I am a one-man-band of sorts with a few different tricks up my sleeve. I use my guitar and voice, along with a looping pedal as well as a kick drum to create a really cool, vibey performance. I play a lot of my own songs and I am ridiculously excited to release my first song and see where this amazing path takes me.
What is your favourite thing about your business/craft/brand?
Yoh, there are so many things I love about being a musician. If I had to pick one, it would have to be that at almost every show I play, people tell me that they felt something while listening to my music. To me that’s the most amazing thing about this, the fact that it’s really not about me, but it’s about every single person who is there listening.
What would you like people to know about your business/craft/brand?
I want people to know that I want to leave my mark on the industry, as well as show people my love for music through what I do. I also want everybody to know that their support of me means more than the world to me, because without them, there is no way I would be where I am today. They’re the reason I get to live out my dream.
What do you love about living and working in Durban?
Definitely the people. The people who come and listen, as well as the other musicians in and around Durban and KZN. They’re just the most amazing people to work with, because we all support each other, and we’re all pretty much family.
How can people support you?
People can support me by doing exactly what they’re doing now. Just by being there and being a part of my musical journey. There’s a song of mine “Sea of faces”, that I’d love people to download and share it with everyone they know. I also have some really cool shirts for sale that my manager Spencer organised for me.
Where can they stalk you on social media?
My Facebook page is just called Matt Gardiner, and my Instagram handle is @matt.s.gardiner
