Matt Carstens is a brilliant 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Woodstock in South Africa who has quickly become a household name thanks to the instant popularity of his infectious indie-pop hits and electric-acoustic ballads that graced the charts of local radio stations throughout the country in recent months.
I saw Matt live for the first time back in December 2016 in Hermanus of all places. Later on, it was Innibos and then STRAB which by the time, he was an established young artist. The world at his feet and rightly so – Matt Carstens is something new for the South African music industry. I truly enjoyed his first album “2D Heart” but he has grown so much from then.
Matt’s latest single, ‘Why Him’, is a very personal song with a universal theme – the need to let go of someone who doesn’t appreciate or reciprocate your love and uses you for comfort when other relationships fall to pieces.
“Why Him is an ode to an old flame and her unfortunate taste in men,” explains Matt. “I suppose it’s one of the definitive songs I use to vent about a specific and astronomically complicated situation I found myself in after parting ways with someone. Ultimately, if you’re feeling a little sour or spiteful about a dreaded ex, this is the song for you.” – we get you, dude. Because as a girl, I can honestly say the same thing about guys choosing bad women over the good ones. And there are a million tears for every heartbreaker out there. We all can actually connect to this song because we all have a history in the game of dating, love and war.
Peach van Pletzen, you should know him from Bittereinder, produced the single at his studios – Planet Awesome Studios. “Matt was one of the easiest guys to work within the studio,” he says. “He has a great vocal tone and delivery and is tight on the guitar; he made my job very easy! He is also a super talented songwriter to boot.” The song in a whole is excellent, high five for the producing on Peach.
“Why Him?” follows Carstens success single “High” which currently #2 on 5FM’s Indie Top 10 Chart. This chart is completely measured on listeners votes on a weekly basis for the song they enjoy the most. That says something!
Follow Matt Carstens on his website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.
