Matt Berry

Biography

Matt Berry, born in 1974 in Bedfordshire, England, is a multifaceted English musician, actor, comedian, and writer. Raised in a creative household, Berry taught himself to play the organ and guitar after his parents left an organ in his room as a child. He later studied Contemporary Arts at Nottingham Trent University, where he joined various bands and began experimenting with recording techniques, often working alone and producing his own music in makeshift home studios.

Berry’s music career is as eclectic as his comedic output. Signed to Acid Jazz Records, he has released a series of critically acclaimed albums that traverse genres including acid jazz, prog rock, chamber folk, psychedelic pop, and new age electronic instrumentals. Notable albums such as 'Witchazel,' 'Kill the Wolf,' and 'Phantom Birds' showcase his ability to blend influences from 1970s British folk and prog with modern sensibilities. Berry is known for playing most instruments on his recordings, with only occasional contributions from other musicians, particularly drummers. His musical style is marked by a fascination with vintage sounds, long-form compositions, and a hands-on approach to production, often drawing inspiration from artists like Mike Oldfield and Jean Michel Jarre.

While Berry is perhaps best known to the public for his comedic roles in series such as 'The IT Crowd,' 'Toast of London,' and 'What We Do in the Shadows,' his musical legacy is substantial. Over a decade with Acid Jazz, he has developed a reputation for originality and genre-blending, with each album reflecting a distinct conceptual or stylistic shift. Berry’s work is characterized by a deep respect for musical craftsmanship, a willingness to experiment, and a unique ability to fuse humor and musicianship, making him a singular figure in contemporary British music.

Fun Facts

• Berry composed the rare-groove styled theme song for his own dark sitcom 'Snuff Box', blending his comedy and musical talents.
• He often records and produces his albums almost entirely by himself, playing nearly every instrument except drums.
• Berry's parents converted a run-down animal food barn into a house, and his teenage bedroom doubled as his first home studio.
• He cites seeing Mike Oldfield on 'Blue Peter' and attending Jean Michel Jarre’s Docklands concert as pivotal moments in his musical development.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Mike Oldfield - Major early inspiration; Berry was captivated by Oldfield's multi-instrumental approach and long-form compositions. (Tubular Bells) [Berry's adolescence (1980s)]
• Jean Michel Jarre - Influenced Berry's interest in electronic and experimental music, especially after attending Jarre's live shows in London. (Oxygene) [Berry's teenage years (late 1980s)]

Key Collaborators

• Mike Thorne - Studio owner and mastering engineer for Berry's albums; provided technical expertise and mastering. (Multiple albums including 'Witchazel', 'Kill the Wolf', 'Phantom Birds') [2010s–present]
• Various session drummers - Berry typically records all instruments himself except drums, which are contributed by session musicians. (Most studio albums) [2000s–present]

Artists Influenced

• No widely documented direct proteges - Berry's unique blend of comedy and music, as well as his DIY production ethos, have inspired a new generation of British comedians and musicians, though no specific students or proteges are widely cited.

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Take My Hand (Witchazel)
2. Take My Hand
3. Why On Fire? (Heard Noises)
4. Take My Hand (Gather Up (Ten Years On Acid Jazz))
5. Silver Rings (Heard Noises)
6. Wedding Photo Stranger (Heard Noises)
7. Beatmaker
8. Accident at a Harvest Festival (Witchazel)
9. So Low (Witchazel)
10. I Gotta Limit (Heard Noises)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia