Matthew Mole

Folk songwriting meets electronica in the work of Cape Town singer-songwriter Matthew Mole, whose songs are built up in layers. Raised in Fish Hoek, he picked up the guitar from his father and later learned ukulele, banjo, piano, organ and drums. His songs begin with a lyric, rhythm or melody, then grow as he records instrument after instrument until they are complete. On stage he plays guitar and synth while handling a kick drum and triggered beats.

His first EP, You Did Well, Kid, appeared online in 2011, and in August 2012 he won Converse's Get Out of the Garage competition, earning a gig at London's 100 Club. He then signed to Just Music, and the EP Same Parts, Same Heart followed that December, its title track later heard in the film Leading Lady. His debut album, The Home We Built, arrived in 2013 and entered the iTunes SA chart at number one on its first day, making him the first South African artist to do so. Run followed in 2016 and topped South Africa's iTunes within three months, with Ghost arriving in November 2019, and in 2020 he campaigned for ocean protection with WILDTRUST.