Sunburnt Country Music

Matt Ward is a South Australian singer and songwriter who has released two albums that have reached #1 on the ARIA Country chart, Heartland and If I Was in Dallas Tonight. His latest album is the deeply personal and introspective The Long Way Home, released through Ward’s own label, Heartland Music Australia. 

The eight-song collection is a testament to the profound experiences that have shaped his life in over the past year or so. Ward’s music has always been rooted in the rich tapestry of the Australian landscape and the human stories that unfold within it. However, The Long Way Home takes this connection to a deeper level, weaving themes of safety, home, and emotional connection throughout the album.

The album’s creation was influenced by Ward’s move to the regional town of Clarendon, South Australia and time spent writing in the temperate forests of Tasmania. 

‘I write from a point of experience and a point of expressing my emotions and feelings,’ Ward explains in our chat. ‘And stories of other people that I’ve come across.’ 

A dog called Shooter

One of the standout tracks, ‘Found You a Valley’, is a heartfelt tribute to Ward’s beloved companion, his dog Shooter. The song’s lyrics beautifully capture the way animals can open our hearts and provide a sense of comfort and connection. 

‘Shooter probably started to open and soften up my heart a little bit,’ Ward shares. ‘It was probably an avenue towards then finding home and feeling a little bit more settled in my life as well.’ 

Ward’s deep connection to the natural world is evident throughout the album, with songs like ‘Petrichor’ and ‘Find You a Valley’ reflecting his background as an ecologist and ornithologist. He explains how this grounding in the natural world allows him to switch between the technical and the creative, finding inspiration in the sights and sounds around him. 

The album’s final track, ‘Holding On to You’, is a poignant collaboration with Jeff Gibson, inspired by Ward’s sister and brother-in-law’s loss of their young son. The song’s emotional weight is palpable, as Ward grapples with the complexities of grief and the power of human resilience. 

‘Songwriting, for me, is a process of processing an emotion,’ Ward reflects. ‘And also, I think, for audiences, it’s having the songs there to listen to can be the help.’ 

As Ward prepares to take the stage at the Groundwater Country Music Festival, which takes place from 18 to 20 October on the Gold Coast, he is eager to share the new album with audiences. With a six-piece band in tow, he promises a high-energy and polished performance, showcasing both fan favourites and tracks from The Long Way Home. 

You can watch our chat on YouTube (above) or listen on the podcast. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Listen to The Long Way Home on Apple Music

Album review: Heartland by Matt Ward