MATT CORBY

THE VALLEY OF RAINBOWS

FROM ADVERSITY COMES CHANGE

With a love of the ocean and the natural environment, Matt Corby is a quintessential Aussie singer/songwriter. Inspired by a generation of indie rock, folk and acoustic music that’s deeply embedded with alternative, blue-eyed soul vibes, he’s an artist who has managed to metamorphose as the tide has changed.

Now living in a serene location in the Tweed Valley, Matt’s emerging with a new sound. After his family was affected by the floods early this year - their own property ravished by the unrelenting waters - he’s proven that through adversity comes creative change, penning and producing his latest single ‘Problems’ in the aftermath.

In a serendipitous moment Matt Corby’s latest song comes on the radio, “It’s not what we are used to from Corby but we’re going with it” announces triple J’s afternoon presenter. So what makes Matt Corby tick and where is he now? Our publisher Karen caught up with the artist to find out.

Matt, thanks for talking to us. It’s been a while, what have you been up to? I have been working hard behind the scenes writing and producing with a variety of different artists. And I’ve enjoyed it so much that I built a studio and started a small record label… I’ve also had a couple of kids and had time with the family. You live here in the Byron Hinterland - how long have you been here and what was it that drew you to the area? I’ve been up here almost 7 years. My partner is a nurse and from this area, and it was way easier for me to come up to her than for her to come to the south coast where I was living. The area is beautiful.

You and your family, like so many here in the Northern Rivers, were affected by the terrible floods earlier this year. How did these events impact your lives and the new music on your album? We lost our house in the floods, the water got into our place by a couple feet. It’s been a slow process fixing it, but thousands of others are in the same situation. Coincidentally we were supposed to start working on some new music the day that the floods hit. I’m so thankful that the studio is separate to the house. While the new stuff doesn’t have much to do with the floods in subject matter, they were a key motivator for me to make this next record great. I love the new single “Problems”, Can you tell me a little about the track and the story behind it? It’s my cynical view on things. Me and my buddy Chris Collins, who’s an exceptional songwriter/producer/muso, were getting together once a month to go surfing and writing, and this song came together after a great surf at Hastings. You have launched your own independent record label, ‘Rainbow Valley Records’. Can you tell us a little more about the label, the type of sounds you are creating and the talent you have signed on? The label was intended originally to launch our friends more than anyone, who were incredibly talented but didn’t have the confidence to seek out help for their gifts. We love to be as diverse musically as we can, so at this point in time, we’ve signed four acts - ranging from country to hip-hip, to psych rock - which all stand alone in their genres. We’ve even signed a traditional Tibetan singer which is an exciting project to look out for next year. What’s your weekend ritual; where would we find you and what would you be doing on a typical Saturday/Sunday when not touring? Either surfing - I enjoy a good sesh out at Hastings Point if it’s not too busy - or having a bit of beach time with the fam, catching up with our friends in the area.

Living like a local in Byron Bay, can you let us in on some of your faves? Favourite beach to visit? Hastings Point Place to grab a coffee? It’s a tie between Black Drop (Pottsville) and Keith (Murwillumbah) Any secret locations to unwind? Yes (wouldn’t be a secret if I told you though) Shoutout to your favourite restaurant? Another tie - Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah or Ciao, Mate! In Bangalow. There are so many great places though. Where to a grab drink? I’m a dad of two, so at home!

BANGALOW FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS

WRITTEN BY ALISON BONE

Bringing world-class cinema to the picturesque Byron hinterland, Bangalow Film Festival promises 10 days of international premieres, cult classics, fascinating documentaries, and some old-time faves (Strictly Ballroom anyone?)

Bringing the local community together to celebrate film in a creative, inclusive, family-friendly event, the Bangalow Film Festival firmly challenges the notion that you need to be in a big city to watch quality cinema and new releases. “At the core of the festival is a love of cinema and the belief that watching a film with other people deeply changes the way we are able to experience the film itself,” says Festival Director, Christian Pazzaglia. Taking place from 12-21 January, this year’s eclectic line up has something for everyone. From surf culture in Africa, to artist activism in the US, to visually spectacular environmental documentaries, as well as plenty of family-friendly events. Films will be screened indoors and outdoors with lots of fringe action going on too, including art exhibitions, live music, panels, and special guest appearances. Films will be screened at historic A & I Hall and pop-up venues around town, while Woods in the Arts Precinct will create an enticing food hub with lots of local food and drinks on offer.

In its third year, the Bangalow Film Festival was born out of the pandemic, the vision of three creative people who were missing out on all the things that weren’t happening. “Looking back, it was a pretty reckless decision to start a festival during Covid in 2021, with restrictions constantly looming, but we wanted to create something unique in Bangalow, and for Bangalow. The response from the local community went well beyond our best expectations” says Christian. Highlights for this season will include 2022 Venice Film Festival Winner, All The Beauty and the Bloodshed, a riveting film following artist Nan Goldin as she takes on the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty widely blamed for sparking the US opioid epidemic, and, making its Australian premiere, Wade In The Water: A journey into black surfing and aquatic culture - a compelling documentary delving into 1000 year old surfing traditions from Senegal to Angola. For music lovers, Australian film, The Last Violin, is a heart-warming story following Harry Vatilioti – considered Australia’s greatest violin maker – as he makes his 800th (and final) violin. A world premiere, the screening will be followed by a concert with a renowned Australian violinist playing the violin from the film. Nature lovers will be spellbound by two stunningly photographed documentaries The Hidden Life of Trees and The Mushroom Speaks. While anyone who fancies a glass of vino will enjoy Living Wine an inspiring film about organic wine producers in California. Of course, no film festival would be complete without some French drama. Rodeo is set in the motocross culture of suburban Paris featuring Julia, a fiercely independent misfit with a passion for biking who takes on the boys’ club. Back on home soil, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom, the quirky low budget Australian film that became a cult classic will be presented in an eye-popping new 4K restoration to celebrate its 30th anniversary. While Sweet As, makes its Australian premiere - a coming of age story following an Indigenous teenager as she discovers photography during a trip in Western Australia.

Art exhibitions include a collaboration between local First Nation artists Mel Ladkin and Nickolla Clark and an accompanying short film. And for the kids? Everyone’s favourite rabbit rock ‘n’ rollers, Bunny Racket have an exciting new audiovisual show that that promises to be truly surprising.

Keen to support the event? Become a friend of the Bangalow Film Festival by pledging a donation which will secure you a double season pass plus extra tickets to be used across the festival. For full event program check bangalowfilmfestival.com. See you there!