Matt Corby
An Australian singer-songwriter whose soulful falsetto and raw, blues-infused sound transformed him from a teen TV star into a mature musical craftsman.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Australian singer-songwriter·Birthday: November 7·Millennials
Biography
Matt Corby's journey began not in smoky pubs but under the bright lights of Australian television, a teenage finalist on a talent show. That early brush with pop fame could have defined him, but Corby turned inward, retreating to write and record in solitude. His sound evolved into something far more textured and personal, a blend of folk, soul, and psychedelia anchored by a voice capable of both a haunting whisper and a gospel roar. The 2011 single 'Brother' became an unexpected anthem, its platinum success proving there was a massive audience for his introspective style. Rather than chase that formula, his subsequent albums, like the lush 'Rainbow Valley' recorded on his own rural property, showed an artist committed to organic growth, building a studio, producing his work, and crafting songs that feel both meticulously arranged and emotionally immediate.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Matt was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matt Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Matt's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His 2011 single 'Brother' and 2013 single 'Resolution' both won the ARIA Music Award for Song of the Year.
- His 2011 EP 'Into the Flame' achieved a commercial breakthrough, certified 6x Platinum in Australia.
- He built a home studio on his property in Rainbow Valley, New South Wales, to self-produce his later albums.
Did You Know?
He was a runner-up on the Australian television talent show 'Australian Idol' in 2007 at age 16.
He is a skilled multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, piano, drums, and synthesizers on his records.
He named his 2018 album 'Rainbow Valley' after the area where he lives in northern New South Wales.
“I just want to make music that makes people feel something, even if it's just for a second.”
