Matt Joe Gow grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand. A town on the south east coast famous for its independent music scene. Dunedin is sited on land which gives visual evidence of the natural forces and ravaging elements which formed and shaped it. Land and the elements, a common theme in country music and a firm platform for Joe Gow's heartfelt lyrical approach.
He began piano lessons at an early age and continued through to his teens where piano gave way to guitar. At this time Matt was singing and playing in various bands whilst constantly listening to new music from the likes of Grant Lee Buffalo, Whiskeytown and New Zealand artists such as Neil Finn and Dave Dobbyn.
An interest in the world outside led Matt to get a round the world ticket heading through Asia, Europe and into North America. Most evenings were spent playing or writing new material all the while trying to develop a sound of his own.
After spending three years playing in bars and clubs the world over Matt was eager to document some of his songwriting. He formed a band in Vancouver, Canada and set about making his first record. The band was called Tearlighter and their finished EP 'The Truth This Winter' went on to receive national airplay.
Following a year of playing shows in Canada the next stop was England where the time had come to record an album of his own. Matt entered the studio in August 2005 and after one month of intense recording, his first solo project was finished. His debut EP, 'Bullet', was a collection of five songs all written within the space of a week. The sound is raw and in keeping with the live show whilst its lyrical content reflects Matt's time overseas.
The next step took place closer to home. Matt relocated to Melbourne, Australia and began developing ideas and readjusting to life in the southern hemisphere. Two years on from the first EP and the next record was completed at Woodstock studios and at home. Matt's eight piece studio band features members of Australia's much loved Augie March plus a host of talented melbourne musicians. It demonstrates a richer sound infused with a country flavour that harks back to some of Matt's biggest influences.
He began piano lessons at an early age and continued through to his teens where piano gave way to guitar. At this time Matt was singing and playing in various bands whilst constantly listening to new music from the likes of Grant Lee Buffalo, Whiskeytown and New Zealand artists such as Neil Finn and Dave Dobbyn.
An interest in the world outside led Matt to get a round the world ticket heading through Asia, Europe and into North America. Most evenings were spent playing or writing new material all the while trying to develop a sound of his own.
After spending three years playing in bars and clubs the world over Matt was eager to document some of his songwriting. He formed a band in Vancouver, Canada and set about making his first record. The band was called Tearlighter and their finished EP 'The Truth This Winter' went on to receive national airplay.
Following a year of playing shows in Canada the next stop was England where the time had come to record an album of his own. Matt entered the studio in August 2005 and after one month of intense recording, his first solo project was finished. His debut EP, 'Bullet', was a collection of five songs all written within the space of a week. The sound is raw and in keeping with the live show whilst its lyrical content reflects Matt's time overseas.
The next step took place closer to home. Matt relocated to Melbourne, Australia and began developing ideas and readjusting to life in the southern hemisphere. Two years on from the first EP and the next record was completed at Woodstock studios and at home. Matt's eight piece studio band features members of Australia's much loved Augie March plus a host of talented melbourne musicians. It demonstrates a richer sound infused with a country flavour that harks back to some of Matt's biggest influences.