Matthew Toner is a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland, whose songs are shaped by a lifelong love of melody, storytelling and the kind of music that stays with you long after you’ve heard it.
After years of writing and performing with Belfast band Lonely Astronauts, Matthew has built his musical life around writing songs, playing live, and bringing people together through music. During that time, the band shared stages with Aslan and Ocean Colour Scene, played some of Belfast’s best-known venues, and built a following through a collection of honest, guitar-driven songs.
As a songwriter, Matthew draws from a wide range of influences, from The Beatles, Paul McCartney and U2 to Oasis, The Gaslight Anthem, Glen Hansard and Damien Dempsey. A thread runs through them all: great melodies, meaningful lyrics, and songs that feel like they’re about something.
His own writing sits somewhere between indie rock, folk and alternative songwriting, often finding its way into the everyday moments, relationships, memories and experiences that make up life. He has always been drawn to songs that feel personal without needing to explain everything, and he tries to carry that into his own music.
Rock ‘N’ Load’s Thoughts:
“Matthew’s new single feels comfortable and familiar; it ebbs and flows beautifully as it pulls you in line by line. It has an addictive quality you can’t ignore; his ability to translate emotion through his lyrics and vocal delivery will ensure this radio-friendly number turns more than a few heads, further driving home the wealth of quality we have in abundance within the N.I. music scene that we really need to champion more.
If you need something to help you unwind after the daily grind, ‘Words’ will be the perfect antidote. “
