Album Notes

MATT HARDING TOMORROW debut album released on Moshi Moshi Records Be prepared for something lovely. Go on, put it on, have a listen The first album of the summer that is so summery and chilled it literally cools you down. Musically, there's so much here; guitar riffs Johnny Marr would be proud of, funk stylee breaks Tommy Guerrero would be jealous of, classic melodic electronica that would make New Order smile and acoustic blues that would get Jim OíRourke singing on his porch of an evening. Some of you may have been lucky enough to have heard Matt Harding's only release so far, 231 (it's the opening track on the album) which came out as a limited edition 7" on the Heavenly label September 2000. As usual, it all started with a demo which was sent out to various labels; Heavenly called me the day after Moshi Moshi so it felt like everything was happening at once. I was pleased they wanted to release 231 as it was, it's very rough but sounds the way it should, Matt explains. The Moshi Moshi label is fast becoming one of the most interesting young UK labels thanks to a very healthy handful of releases from Zan Lyons, Sukpatch (now signed to Grand Royal), Blue Foundation, Ingo Starcruiser and Junkboy. Matt Harding started recording his songs in 1997 at the age of 22, "I had a guitar but couldn't play, I started writing a few things and learned to play to a reasonable enough standard to do the songs." Over the next few years there was much learning, crafting and shaping songs to create "Tomorrow". "When I'm writing, the only criteria I have is that it has to have some feeling. Happy or sad, it doesn't matter. I like different sounds and styles and experimenting while still being direct. I want to make my stuff slightly abstract in structure and atmosphere but still be accessible and melodic." Hailing from Northampton but moving to London a few years ago, thereís a lot of Mattís life in here ëgoing to see films, drinking coffee and London parksí are all things he describes as not being able to live without. In fact, the filmic qualities to the music are unmistakable, and when pushed on what films he would have liked to have provided a soundtrack for, Felliniís 8 ? and Midnight Cowboy are favourites. But as ever, Matt modestly adds, but of course they're both great soundtracks already. When pushed for musical influences Matt cites Velvets, Nina Simone, Cohen, Beastie Boys... I've been influenced a lot by individual songs as opposed to band's whole careers; I think Debussy's Girl With The Flaxen Hair ' is pretty much the perfect song. "I still think the best thing is when you're sitting at home and you come up with something special, that's my favourite moment." So, hopefully, youíre sitting comfortably at home and ready to listen. www.moshimoshimusic.co.uk