Folksy blues and roots singer-songwriter Matthew Armitage has created a style all of his own. His nylon acoustic guitar sounds like a South Pacific blues band, his foot stomp is a modified cajon drum with a 60’s tambourine and his voice is steeped in the blues tradition.  Growing up in New Zealand, he studied jazz, Brazilian music, classical guitar, early rock’n’roll, then learned busking skills in Berlin/New York while on tour with NZ bands he played in. In 2018 he released his first solo album New Tide followed by a 26 date Australian tour supporting songwriting legend Pete Murray.

While based in Wellington NZ, Armitage was deeply involved in the music scene and went on numerous national tours with bands, some taking him internationally to Berlin and New York.

Now living in the Northern Rivers NSW, he has developed his own solo style and voice, and collaborations with Byron Bay bands, The Swamps and Chesta Hedron which keep his efforts diverse and sustainable as a full time gigging musician.

Over Oceans EP released in 2014 showed Armitage testing the waters of the studio with his own songs and offered a first glimpse of his unique songwriting, production and guitar playing beauty. 

In 2018 he shared his first album length collection of songs, New Tide. The performance of this album centres around his acoustic nylon string guitar, foot stomp percussion and engaging vocals in his own laid back style. Performed live over the course of one day, additional overdub sessions were then included to bring New Tide to life.

Following the footsteps of classic bluesmen and songwriters before him, Armitage’s New Tide shares stories of his journey, the blues, new love, positive affirmations and realisations along the way, set in his new abundant Australian musical landscape.

NEW TIDE was released June 2018

CURRENT

• The Swamps

• Chesta Hedron

• Coral Reef

• Ginger Brown

• Boom Shack Band

• Bunnies on Ponies