Aqualung (musician)
Encyclopedia
Matthew "Matt" Hales (born 17 January 1972), better known as Aqualung, is an English
singer and songwriter
best known in the UK for his song "Strange and Beautiful", which was featured on a television
advertisement for the new Volkswagen New Beetle
during the summer of 2002 and went on to become a Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart
later that year. In the United States
, Aqualung is also known for the song "Brighter Than Sunshine
", which had considerable airplay and was used in the film A Lot Like Love
and various television spots.
, a city on the south coast of England
, where his parents ran an independent record shop. He wanted to be—and indeed was—a musician from an early age, although he said in a BBC interview that there were a couple of years when he was about 12 that he wanted to be a stuntman
. At the age of 16, he was awarded a scholarship to study music composition at Winchester College
. By the age of 17, he had written his first symphony
entitled Life Cycle.
Also while he was a teenager, he formed his first band, which was known by several names during its lifespan: Da Fook Mo a Dib, White Noise, and Mecano Pig. In 1990, they produced an album
, Mecano Pig, but broke up soon after that.
In the Autumn of 1990, Hales moved to London
to study music at City University
. While he was there, he and his brother Ben formed a new band, Gravel Monsters, although they later changed their name to RUTH (and their fan club became ALAN). They released several singles and an album, Harrison, but had very little success. They changed their name again to the 45s, and in 2001 were signed to Mercury Records
. However, they only released two further singles, and in March 2002 they were dropped and the band split up.
Hales is married to Bad Girls actress Kim Oliver
, who helped him write the lyrics to "Strange and Beautiful".
, "Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You)", was released in the UK on the B-Unique
label on 16 September 2002, after gaining popularity as the soundtrack on an advert for the new Volkswagen Beetle
, and reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart
. It was also featured in the film Wicker Park
. This was followed shortly after by his eponymous debut album, Aqualung
.
He released his second album, Still Life
, in 2003 to critical acclaim albeit limited commercial success. As part of the promotion for this album, Aqualung embarked on two contrasting tours of the U.K.
in early 2004—the first as a duo comprising Hales and his brother Ben on guitar playing at unusual venues such as churches, and the second with the pair and a full backing band playing at more conventional rock venues. Two of the gigs in London were recorded and released as a live DVD through the band's website along with two compilation CDs of B-sides and remixes.
Matt Hales appeared on the 2004 Tiësto
album Just Be on the track "Ur".
A compilation of tracks from his first two albums was released in the United States
, entitled Strange and Beautiful
following a new contract being signed with Columbia Records
for future worldwide releases. The track "Brighter Than Sunshine
" became a big hit and enjoyed Top 40 airplay for several months, after being featured in the film A Lot Like Love
. The band have also enjoyed increased notoriety through appearances on various talk shows and the use of the band's songs in shows such as Gossip Girl
, One Tree Hill
, The O.C.
, Grey's Anatomy
, Scrubs
and recently CSI: Miami
, Cold Case, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
, and Skins
.
"Easier To Lie" was the single featured in Scrubs
, the Lie to Me
pilot episode and Brothers and Sisters (Episode 3).
In 2006, they were special guests on Tom McRae
's Hotel Cafe Tour
.
In mid 2007, the Aqualung track "Left Behind" off of the earlier release Strange and Beautiful was featured in a series of Chrysler car commercials in the U.S. giving Aqualung even more notoriety, despite the financial troubles of the struggling automaker.
In 2007, Aqualung's "Something to Believe in" was featured in the TV series Gossip Girl
and One Tree Hill
, as well as in an episode of CSI: Miami
. In January 2008 the song was also featured on ABC network's Eli Stone
pilot episode.
After completing their US tour, Aqualung announced the release of his next album, Memory Man
, which includes eleven new songs. It was released on 13 March 2007 in the USA, with other parts of the world following later. The first single from the album in the US was "Pressure Suit
", with "Cinderella" as the first single in the UK, released on 11 June.
"Good Times Gonna Come" was featured in the season 2 episode 2 of the British television drama Skins
as well as a UK advert for Sky.
On 31 August, Hales released news of his upcoming album on his MySpace page, saying "I'm really very pleased with the new album... It's a mixture of some old songs and some new songs and a song by Paul Simon. And it's emotional and candid and funny and friendly. It feels like coming home. I think you'll like it." Hales completed his first UK tour since the first album in June, ending the tour at the newly re-opened Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. He states how surprised and pleased he was with the turnout. More recently, Hales has announced his relocation to the United States and the beginning of production of a new album.
In 2009, Hales worked with Leona Lewis
on her album Echo
.
Aqualung's album, Magnetic North
, was released on 20 April 2010.
Hales featured on the track "Who Are We Fooling?" on Brooke Fraser
's 2010 album, Flags
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
singer and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
best known in the UK for his song "Strange and Beautiful", which was featured on a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
advertisement for the new Volkswagen New Beetle
Volkswagen New Beetle
-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:...
during the summer of 2002 and went on to become a Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
later that year. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Aqualung is also known for the song "Brighter Than Sunshine
Brighter Than Sunshine
"Brighter Than Sunshine" is a song by Aqualung, first released on his 2003 album Still Life. It was later added to the 2005 compilation album Strange and Beautiful. "Brighter Than Sunshine" reached #32 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Chart in the U.S...
", which had considerable airplay and was used in the film A Lot Like Love
A Lot Like Love
A Lot Like Love is a 2005 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Nigel Cole. The screenplay by Colin Patrick Lynch focuses on two individuals whose relationship slowly evolves from lust to friendship to romance over the course of seven years...
and various television spots.
Early life
Hales grew up in SouthamptonSouthampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, a city on the south coast of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where his parents ran an independent record shop. He wanted to be—and indeed was—a musician from an early age, although he said in a BBC interview that there were a couple of years when he was about 12 that he wanted to be a stuntman
Stunt performer
A stuntman, or daredevil is someone who performs dangerous stunts, often as a career.These stunts are sometimes rigged so that they look dangerous while still having safety mechanisms, but often they are as dangerous as they appear to be...
. At the age of 16, he was awarded a scholarship to study music composition at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
. By the age of 17, he had written his first symphony
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
entitled Life Cycle.
Also while he was a teenager, he formed his first band, which was known by several names during its lifespan: Da Fook Mo a Dib, White Noise, and Mecano Pig. In 1990, they produced an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Mecano Pig, but broke up soon after that.
In the Autumn of 1990, Hales moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to study music at City University
City University, London
City University London , is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and became a university in 1966, when it adopted its present name....
. While he was there, he and his brother Ben formed a new band, Gravel Monsters, although they later changed their name to RUTH (and their fan club became ALAN). They released several singles and an album, Harrison, but had very little success. They changed their name again to the 45s, and in 2001 were signed to Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. However, they only released two further singles, and in March 2002 they were dropped and the band split up.
Hales is married to Bad Girls actress Kim Oliver
Kim Oliver
Kim Oliver is a Black British actress . She is perhaps best known for her role as the inmate Buki Lester on the hit drama series Bad Girls.-Personal life:...
, who helped him write the lyrics to "Strange and Beautiful".
Career as Aqualung
His debut singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell on You)", was released in the UK on the B-Unique
B-Unique Records
B-Unique Records is a London-based record label, founded in 2001 by Mark Lewis and Martin Toher.B-Unique has been a division of Atlantic Records UK since February 2008...
label on 16 September 2002, after gaining popularity as the soundtrack on an advert for the new Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen New Beetle
-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:...
, and reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It was also featured in the film Wicker Park
Wicker Park (film)
Wicker Park is a 2004 American psychological drama/romantic mystery film directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Josh Hartnett. The film is a remake of the 1996 French movie L'Appartement...
. This was followed shortly after by his eponymous debut album, Aqualung
Aqualung (2002 album)
Aqualung is the eponymous debut album by Aqualung, released on September 30, 2002 on the B-Unique label. It reached #15 in the UK albums chart and went gold in December 2002.-Track listing:...
.
He released his second album, Still Life
Still Life (Aqualung album)
Still Life is the second album by Aqualung, released on October 27, 2003 to critical acclaim. The album featured a more expansive, full band sound than the previous eponymous album. The album reached #80 on the UK albums chart...
, in 2003 to critical acclaim albeit limited commercial success. As part of the promotion for this album, Aqualung embarked on two contrasting tours of the U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in early 2004—the first as a duo comprising Hales and his brother Ben on guitar playing at unusual venues such as churches, and the second with the pair and a full backing band playing at more conventional rock venues. Two of the gigs in London were recorded and released as a live DVD through the band's website along with two compilation CDs of B-sides and remixes.
Matt Hales appeared on the 2004 Tiësto
Tiësto
Tijs Michiel Verwest, , known as Tiësto , is a Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music. Although he has used many aliases in the past, he is best known for his work as DJ Tiësto...
album Just Be on the track "Ur".
A compilation of tracks from his first two albums was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, entitled Strange and Beautiful
Strange and Beautiful
Strange and Beautiful is Aqualung's first US album release: a compilation of tracks from Aqualung's first two albums: Aqualung and Still Life. This compilation making up his first US release includes "Strange and Beautiful," "Brighter Than Sunshine," and "Falling Out of Love."The track "Brighter...
following a new contract being signed with Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
for future worldwide releases. The track "Brighter Than Sunshine
Brighter Than Sunshine
"Brighter Than Sunshine" is a song by Aqualung, first released on his 2003 album Still Life. It was later added to the 2005 compilation album Strange and Beautiful. "Brighter Than Sunshine" reached #32 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Chart in the U.S...
" became a big hit and enjoyed Top 40 airplay for several months, after being featured in the film A Lot Like Love
A Lot Like Love
A Lot Like Love is a 2005 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Nigel Cole. The screenplay by Colin Patrick Lynch focuses on two individuals whose relationship slowly evolves from lust to friendship to romance over the course of seven years...
. The band have also enjoyed increased notoriety through appearances on various talk shows and the use of the band's songs in shows such as Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
, The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
, Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
, Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
and recently CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
, Cold Case, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
, and Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
.
"Easier To Lie" was the single featured in Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
, the Lie to Me
Lie to Me
Lie to Me is a 2009-2011 American television series.Lie to Me may also refer to:* Lie to Me , a South Korean drama series* "Lie to Me" , an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
pilot episode and Brothers and Sisters (Episode 3).
In 2006, they were special guests on Tom McRae
Tom McRae
Tom McRae is an English singer-songwriter.-Career:The son of two Church of England vicars, McRae sang in the church choir and as a teen experimented with his mother's guitar...
's Hotel Cafe Tour
Hotel Cafe Tour
The Hotel Cafe Tour is the brainchild of Cary Brothers , a North American singer-songwriter,who has been a regular performer at the Hotel Café venue in Hollywood.Having played in the Hotel Cafe for many years, and enjoyed its...
.
In mid 2007, the Aqualung track "Left Behind" off of the earlier release Strange and Beautiful was featured in a series of Chrysler car commercials in the U.S. giving Aqualung even more notoriety, despite the financial troubles of the struggling automaker.
In 2007, Aqualung's "Something to Believe in" was featured in the TV series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
and One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
, as well as in an episode of CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami
CSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
. In January 2008 the song was also featured on ABC network's Eli Stone
Eli Stone
Eli Stone is an American TV series, and also the name of the title character.San Francisco lawyer Eli Stone begins to see things, which leads him to discover a brain aneurysm...
pilot episode.
After completing their US tour, Aqualung announced the release of his next album, Memory Man
Memory Man
Memory Man is the third studio album by Aqualung. The album was released on March 13, 2007 in the U.S.. The first single from the album was "Pressure Suit"...
, which includes eleven new songs. It was released on 13 March 2007 in the USA, with other parts of the world following later. The first single from the album in the US was "Pressure Suit
Pressure suit
A pressure suit is a protective suit worn by high-altitude pilots who may fly at altitudes where the air pressure is too low for an unprotected person to survive, even breathing pure oxygen at positive pressure. Such suits may be either full-pressure or partial-pressure...
", with "Cinderella" as the first single in the UK, released on 11 June.
"Good Times Gonna Come" was featured in the season 2 episode 2 of the British television drama Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
as well as a UK advert for Sky.
On 31 August, Hales released news of his upcoming album on his MySpace page, saying "I'm really very pleased with the new album... It's a mixture of some old songs and some new songs and a song by Paul Simon. And it's emotional and candid and funny and friendly. It feels like coming home. I think you'll like it." Hales completed his first UK tour since the first album in June, ending the tour at the newly re-opened Tabernacle, Notting Hill, London. He states how surprised and pleased he was with the turnout. More recently, Hales has announced his relocation to the United States and the beginning of production of a new album.
In 2009, Hales worked with Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
on her album Echo
Echo (Leona Lewis album)
Echo is the second studio album by British pop/R&B singer and songwriter Leona Lewis. It was released from 9 November 2009 including 16 November 2009 in the United Kingdom, and 17 November 2009 in the United States. Its worldwide release was through Sony Music.Lewis worked with Ryan Tedder, Justin...
.
Aqualung's album, Magnetic North
Magnetic North (Aqualung album)
Magnetic North is the sixth studio album by Aqualung. The album was released in the UK and U.S. on the 20th April, 2010 and was recorded in Los Angeles, U.S....
, was released on 20 April 2010.
Hales featured on the track "Who Are We Fooling?" on Brooke Fraser
Brooke Fraser
Brooke Gabrielle Fraser Ligertwood, better known as Brooke Fraser is a New Zealand award-winning folk-pop and Christian music artist...
's 2010 album, Flags
Flags (album)
Flags is the third studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter, Brooke Fraser. It was released on 8 October 2010 by Sony Music Entertainment in Australia...
.
Solo
- Aqualung (2002)
- Still LifeStill Life (Aqualung album)Still Life is the second album by Aqualung, released on October 27, 2003 to critical acclaim. The album featured a more expansive, full band sound than the previous eponymous album. The album reached #80 on the UK albums chart...
(2003) - Memory ManMemory ManMemory Man is the third studio album by Aqualung. The album was released on March 13, 2007 in the U.S.. The first single from the album was "Pressure Suit"...
(2007) - Words and MusicWords and Music (Aqualung album)Words and Music is the fourth studio album by Aqualung. The album was released on October 7, 2008, in the U.S. It features acoustic versions of tracks from Aqualung's eponymous first album Aqualung and new songs written in a similar style...
(2008) - Magnetic NorthMagnetic North (Aqualung album)Magnetic North is the sixth studio album by Aqualung. The album was released in the UK and U.S. on the 20th April, 2010 and was recorded in Los Angeles, U.S....
(2010)
Other appearances
| Year | Song | Album | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Who Are We Fooling" | Flags Flags (album) Flags is the third studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter, Brooke Fraser. It was released on 8 October 2010 by Sony Music Entertainment in Australia... |
Brooke Fraser Brooke Fraser Brooke Gabrielle Fraser Ligertwood, better known as Brooke Fraser is a New Zealand award-winning folk-pop and Christian music artist... |
Co-wrote and appeared in duet |
External links
- Aqualung.net
- Aqualung interview at Auralgasms.com
- music by ruth and the 45s
- Aqualung performing "Breaking My Heart" at SXSW 2007
- Aqualung at Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...