A Journey Through Tragic Magic
For Matt Corby, life can be described as tragic magic. It’s an experience filled with ups and downs and brief moments that make people who they are. As he prepares to bring his Tragic Magic tour to Perth next month, Corby shared insights about his latest album and the life moments that shaped it.
The album was written during a time of personal loss and grief. Corby explained that fatherhood, friendship, death, and isolation all contributed to the creation of its 13 tracks.
“My partner’s mum, who was very close to us, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away shortly after. It was a really hard time for everyone,” he said. “There’s this sort of pondering through the record about your own mortality and what it means to enjoy these brief moments we have on earth.”
Corby says the album’s title, Tragic Magic, is a metaphor for life. “Life is only valuable because it’s short and finite. We’re all destined for tragedy, but because of that, these experiences of seeing, feeling, and loving are what make life valuable.”
With over 15 years of songwriting and instrumental knowledge, Corby believes the evolution of the music scene has allowed him to push his musical boundaries. “Music is like a free-for-all now. I remember growing up in a time when scenes were clearly defined—emo, indie, metal, goth. Now, kids love jazz, pop, orchestral music, and metal all at once. There’s so much crossover between genres, creating interesting hybrids. It’s a great time to be part of this spectrum.”
Despite his success, Corby doesn’t follow the latest trends. “I don’t like listening to modern music because I don’t want to copy it. If I hear something catchy, it might end up in my songs without me realizing. I try to be careful about what I feed my ears.”
Corby last performed in Perth three years ago, but the city holds many good memories for him. “I’ve been there many times. One of my best mates lives there, and I have family there too. The band Great Gables, who are Perth boys, are always a joy to catch up with.”
While he won’t be hitting the waves this time, Corby plans to play some golf. “I haven’t surfed in six months, which is unusual for someone who grew up surfing. I’m middle-aged now, so I’ve gotten into golf. I’ll bring my clubs with me and take a few shots before sound check.”
Despite being his fourth album, Corby still gets nervous playing it live for the first time. “It’s nerve-wracking going into a show blind with songs you’ve never played. When you’re young, you workshop songs live before recording them. Now, the songs start in the studio, and the first time you play them is in front of thousands.”
Corby plans to include songs from across his discography, with one track guaranteed. “There are a few on this record I’m excited to play, like Big Ideas and Know-It All. We also plan to throw in some older songs, like Runaway, which fans have been asking for.”
A surprising feature on the album is the track Maggie, where Corby uses a magpie’s call in the intro. “While writing with friends, I heard the magpie and immediately jumped on the piano. I played along with the melody, and when I finished, the magpie sang with me. We were all shocked, and it became the intro to the song.”
Looking ahead, Corby plans to bring a smaller version of his show to regional towns. “People in major cities get most of the attention, but there are many communities across Australia that would appreciate a live performance. It’s tough for people to attend shows, and art is often the first thing to suffer during hard times.”
Corby performs in Perth on June 4 at the Riverside Theatre.
