Introducing: Matt McCarthy

Nottingham-based singer-songwriter Matt McCarthy is carving out a space in the indie and post-punk scene with his raw lyricism and infectious melodies. A graduate of the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies (BA Music Performance, 2021), Matt has been honing his craft since the age of 12, drawing inspiration from the likes of The Smiths, Interpol, and Fontaines D.C.

With thousands of streams worldwide and regular features on BBC Introducing in the East Midlands, Matt’s music is resonating far and wide. In 2024, he took things up a notch, forming a band and making a standout debut at Nottingham’s Hockley Hustle festival. Since then, he’s been a fixture on the city’s live music circuit, recently performing at FoxFest at Liquid Light.

His latest single, Fashion Designer dives into the struggles of creatives chasing recognition, fusing brooding post-punk energy with sharp storytelling. With more gigs on the horizon and new music in the works, Matt McCarthy is an artist to watch in 2025.

Your latest single, Fashion Designer, explores the struggles of creatives trying to break into their industry. What inspired this concept, and does it reflect any personal experiences in your own music journey?

The concept for Fashion Designer came to me after learning about the struggles a group of fashion students faced in their breakthrough to the fashion industry. I found a lot of parallels between their journey and my own, which made this a very cathartic song to write. As creatives, we have a different kind of psychological battle when it comes to pursuing our careers. We constantly have to justify ourselves to others who see what we do as hobbies and not serious careers, and this can sometimes take a heavy toll. We have to face a lot of rejection for our original work, which we put our hearts into, and sometimes receive little appreciation for the successes we do achieve. In modern society, there is a lack of appreciation for art, and our work is often taken for granted. Without art, the world would be a truly bleak place. Appreciate artists, support them, and let them know if their work has inspired you.

You’ve cited bands like The Smiths, Interpol, and Fontaines D.C. as key influences. How do these inspirations shape your songwriting and sound, particularly in your latest releases?

The Smiths and Interpol have been core inspirations for my music since my very first release back in 2021. They are both guitar-driven bands, which I love, as the guitar is my primary and favorite instrument. Both bands express very deep lyrics that are often personal and heartfelt, which strongly aligns with my own writing style.  Fontaines D.C. have become a big inspiration in recent years. I found that I took a lot of inspiration from them when delivering my lyrics in my latest single, Fashion Designer. There is an almost simplistic quality to the way Grian Chatten sings that conveys such power and transparency, and I found myself channeling this style in my newest song in order to get my message across.  Going back to The Smiths, I do think the main riff in Fashion Designer is very reminiscent of Johnny Marr’s playing style, and the stabbing guitar rhythms in the bridge section of the song definitely delve into Interpol territory.

You made your full-band debut at Nottingham’s Hockley Hustle in 2024. How has performing with a band changed your approach to live shows, and what can audiences expect from your performances in 2025?

Performing with my band has been a game changer. There is an energy we produce live that transcends the recordings in the most powerful way. We don’t play the songs any differently from how they sound on the recordings, but there is an undercurrent of power that makes the live shows truly electrifying.  Personally, I work really hard on writing and recording my music, so when it comes to performing live with my band, it’s such a release, an adrenaline rush unlike anything else. I have a fantastic relationship with my bandmates. We are all close friends, and our performances reflect a really wholesome connection between us.  I would say audiences can expect a lot of passion, sincerity, and energy from my shows. If you’re a fan of my music, seeing me live is a must—you’ll experience the songs in a whole new light. I also trial unreleased songs live, so you’ll get exclusive access to my latest works.  I’m currently open to booking opportunities and actively taking on gigs wherever possible. If you’re interested in having me perform, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Having gained support from BBC Introducing and played at various venues around Nottingham, what has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?

Having my debut single played on BBC Introducing has been the most meaningful and memorable moment of my career so far. I was genuinely nervous about releasing my first track. Going solo as a musician under your own name is a bold step, and I felt incredibly vulnerable. I wasn’t sure if people would connect with my music, and to be honest, I was a bit of an emotional wreck! But having Come & Go aired on BBC Introducing was such a pleasant surprise. It turned what had been a daunting experience into something truly special and meaningful. The praise I received from Dean Jackson was surreal. He’s a legend in the industry, and I’ll forever be grateful to him for making this experience so unforgettable. His continued support means the world to me, and I can’t thank him enough for that.

With new music on the way, can you give us any hints about what’s next? Are there any upcoming releases or shows that fans should be excited about? 

I’m currently looking ahead to my next single release. The song has been fully written and recorded, and it’s now under review. I can reveal that the title of the song is The Sweetest Thing, and it will be the most heartfelt track I’ve released so far. This song will also be part of a bigger release I’m planning for the latter half of 2025, so there will be plenty of original music coming your way this year!

In addition to this, I’ll be hosting open mic nights at Liquid Light on the third Friday of every month. The first one is this Friday, the 21st of March, and I can’t wait for it! It’s such a fantastic venue with a strong music focus, so I’m truly honoured to be hosting their open mic evenings. All musicians are welcome, so if you’re in the area, make sure to pop down on the third Friday of each month.Apart from that, I’m hoping to line up more gigs and will hopefully be able to announce some new shows very soon!