[ No. 17 ]

Matt Whytcross

by Vicki Shuttleworth

'Don't give up your day job, yet!' -- it's a standard line in an industry where aspiring musicians regularly play 'mice and rats' gigs until 3 a.m then work 9 to 5 to earn their rent money. There has to be a special irony, however, if the day job you give up, is a well-paid, secure one in the promotions department of a major multi-national record company. But that is exactly what Matt Whytcross did 12 months ago when he decided to 'run with his dreams' -- to give up his job as a hype master and become a full-time musician promoting his own music.

That promotions experience shows, not only in an immaculate, tightly scripted Press Release but in Matt's easy and unaffected charm and sharp observations about those who play the 'Big Game', as he refers to the music industry. Not surprisingly, Matt's first EP -- the radio friendly "Precious" -- has already had more airplay than most new and untried independent artists might expect. "Precious" offers three classic pop melodies -- "The Last Time I Fall In Love", "Idle Eyes" and the title track -- all of them showcasing Matt's 'big voice' and feel for lyrical light and shade, with flecks of Neil Finn and Sting.

Yet, Matt is no slick salesman with all the insider secrets of sure fire success. Being a promotions guy was only a short-term excursion within a lifeplan dedicated to music. He's done his dues in bands who've enjoyed varying success, including his first -- a popular high school group in a country town which played twice a week at the pub or soldiers' club: 'We weren't really that good. We did some horrible covers', Matt laughs modestly.

But can you be both artist and spin doctor? Matt confesses to be ill at ease with this dual role. Convincing a retail manager that his chain should stock the latest Oasis album is one thing. When it's your own music that has taken you 2 years to write, arrange and produce, it's something else. 'I want to sell records', he says. 'I don't want to be cool about it and pretend that I don't care. I think everyone cares, I'm not ashamed of that.'

So far Matt Whytcross has managed to get thousands of copies of his EP "Precious" in stores across Australia and a video on cable television. If all goes to plan, his album "Castaway" will be out in early 1999. After that it's a tour with a new band -- most likely including Trevor Reading (Richard Clapton, Steve Hoy) and John Greenfield, who worked with him on the album at Joe Camilleri's Woodstock Studios.

For more information about the single "Precious" and the album "Castaway", contact Episode Productions: episode@ozemail.com.au