The Maritzburg College matriculant Matthew Gardiner always had dreams of entering Idols and walking onto the stage for his audition. Last year was affirmation that he was born to be a performer. During his Idols SA auditions last year, Matt sang Robbie Williams’ song, one of his mother’s favourite singers, in the car was when Matthew Gardiner fell in love with music and began singing.
Matthew Gardiner is a 21 year old musician from Pietermaritzburg in KZN. He was a Maritzburg College boy, and he went on to study Civil Engineering for a year at the University of Pretoria. He always wanted to be a musician but because of marks he was coaxed into studying something more “practical”. At the end of his first year of Engineering he decided that he wanted to study music and music production, as well as sound engineering.
“My mom and dad were and are incredibly supportive. In 2016, my second year out of school I entered Idols SA where I made the top 37, where after I studied music theory through Unisa for a few months where I obtained a grade 4. Currently I am studying music production and sound engineering. I started out singing when I was really young, and it started in the car while driving with my mom listening to Robbie Williams. I auditioned for the choir in grade one and I was told that I had no singing voice and I would never have one. I got bullied a little bit at that school so my parents decided to move me to a new school.” – Matt said.
Matt auditioned for the choir there where he got into it. He ended up becoming the captain of the choir there and started playing guitar when he saw his dad playing his and wanted to learn. As he got into high school, he started singing in school productions and that’s where he started to realize that playing on stage was something incredible.
In 2012 when he was in grade 10, he played his first ever “gig”, and it was opening up for Prime Circle. As time has gone on, he have had the most amazing opportunities to share stages with incredible musicians such as Matthew Mole, Majozi, Desmond and the Tutus, Shortstraw and Arno Carstens to name a few.
Speaking to Fame Africa TV, Matt said “I’ve played at a lot of cool Festivals and events such as Splashy Fen, White Mountain, Umhlanga Food and Music Festival, Pecanwood Oktoberfest, these are just a few of the amazing opportunities I’ve had. The day I realized I wanted to be a musician as my career was the day I walked onto stage for the first time opening for Prime Circle. I’m honestly so blessed to be where I am at this stage of my life in my musical journey”
Watch Matt perform Fix You by Coldplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEyu5lOPqXY
We asked Matt what inspires him the most and he said musically, the person who inspires him the most is Ed Sheeran. One of his biggest dreams and wishes is to open up for him one day, and to meet him and just let him know how much he has inspired him and how much he looks up to him.
“I’m also really inspired by my family, and the love and support they have for me. I won’t go into details, but I know my parents have given up a lot for myself and my siblings and I’m so grateful to have them. Something that drives me is to try and help give my parents and my family the lives they deserve and that makes me work harder.” – Matthew said.
Speaking of advice to upcoming talents, the singer said the best advice he can give to anybody who wants to be a musician, is to stop “umming and ahhing” and just go for it. Don’t give up and keep doing what makes you happy. He can guarantee your heart will be so happy. Also just play as much as you can, wherever you can.
Matt is currently busy writing songs and saving up to record his next song/songs.
“I am also putting together a portfolio to try and get signed to a label, and I’m so excited to see where the future takes my career.”
You can follow his Instagram (@matt.s.gardiner) or you can like his Facebook page “Matt Gardiner” (https://www.facebook.com/Matt.S.Gardiner/). Website is www.mattgardiner.co.za and for bookings, email [email protected].