“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” — Plato
My philosophy is that while not everyone is going to be the next David Bowie, or Mozart, or Eddie Van Halen, everybody can learn enough to be able to actively enjoy music in their life. This means that everybody can learn enough to play Happy Birthday to their kids or grandkids, or play their partners favourite song, or enough to join their local uke group - or just to enjoy a quiet evening in on their own playing their favourite songs.
I also believe that while some people are more gifed musically, everybody has the capacity to improve.
Musical ability is like a muscle - the more you use it, the better you get at using it.
And the sooner you start to play, the better. Music connects people and brings joy.
Biography
Matt is a multi-instrumentalist with a degree in Music Production who spent most of his late teens and twenties touring and recording with bands such as The Jesus and Marychain, The Mission, Swervedriver, Miranda Sex Garden, Spider Stacey (The Pogues), Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne), Silversun, and Nick Walker (Killing Joke) amongst others.
Moving from London to Andalucía in 2006 to focus on his young family, growing vegetables, and raising chickens, Matt had various jobs before becoming a teacher. Fitting teak decks to yachts, production editor, running a cafe in an art school, renovating flats, and even as a chef on motorbike safari's to the Sahara.
Teaching
Since 2016, Matt Parkin has been teaching people from all walks of life – often those who have never played an instrument before – a simple, fun process that gets them playing the songs they love on the ukulele, regardless of experience or age.
In 2020, the world-wide pandemic led to the setting up of an online workshop that mirrors Matt’s teaching technique along with a follow-on programme using platforms that are readily accessible to anyone with a device and internet connection. The Awesome Ukulele Academy was born.
Matt and Team Awesome are passionate and absolutely dedicated to helping new ‘ukulele-ists’ learn together, stay inspired, and feel supported so that they can develop a deep sense of satisfaction from learning to play and are able to share their music with the people who they love. We have fun!
Which one is Matt? I'm not certain I can even remember! The Jesus and Marychain, 1992, live on legendary UK TV show, The Word.
With Silversun on TFI Friday. James, the singer is sadly no longer with us, but I've been talking with the guitarist about recording together.
The Starlings were signed to Dave Stewart's (Eurythmics) label, Anxious Records. Great fun mixing with rockstars! We did all our recording in an old church in Crouch End, in London.
The Parachute Men were the first 'proper' band I played with - we made records that came out on vinyl! The only video evidence of me owning a headless bass. Not very cool!
I love writing and recording songs, and playing live in all situations. It's just fun and makes me happy. I mainly play the ukulele and sing when I play acoustically but I still get a massive kick out of playing nasty rock'n'roll with my band BadDad! I'm singing on both of the tracks below. They were part of the portfolio
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