Aqualung (musician)

Matt Hales
Aqualung in 2015
Aqualung in 2015
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Nicholas Hales
Also known asMatt Hales
Born (1972-01-17) 17 January 1972 (age 52)
OriginSouthampton, England
GenresAlternative rock, soul, electronic
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Piano, vocals, guitar
Years active1990–present
LabelsVerve Forecast, Columbia, B-Unique
Websiteaqualung.net
Matt_hales-aqualung
Hales in 2005

Matthew Nicholas Hales (born 17 January 1972)[1] is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer who has been performing professionally under the name Aqualung since the early 2000s.[2] Aqualung is best known in the UK for his song "Strange and Beautiful", which was featured on a television advertisement for the new Volkswagen Beetle during the summer of 2002[3] and went on to become a top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart later that year.[4] 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[5] and various television spots. Hales has released seven albums as Aqualung. The most recent, Dead Letters, appeared in 2022.

As a songwriter and record producer, Hales has collaborated with Lianne La Havas,[6] Bat for Lashes, Tom Chaplin, Mika, Daniel Wilson, Kina Grannis, Andreya Triana, the Fray, Kwabs, Jason Mraz, Reignwolf, Sara Bareilles,[7] Jacob Banks, Paloma Faith,[8] Disclosure, Alex Clare, Mansionair, Mikky Ekko, For King & Country[9] and many others.

Hales' work has earned him various awards and nominations, including two Grammy and three Ivor Novello nominations.

  1. ^ "Matt Hales' official Aqualung Facebook post on 40th birthday – 17 January 2012". Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  2. ^ Bonacich, Drago. "Aqualung – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. ^ Salmon, Chris (28 June 2007). "Beetle mania". Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. ^ Columbia, Records (8 December 2004). "Strange And Beautiful, Eagerly-Anticipated Aqualung Album, Ready for Stateside Release". UBM plc. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. ^ Murray, Rebecca (8 March 2005). ""A Lot Like Love" Soundtrack News". About.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. ^ Brown, Helen (6 July 2012). "Lianne La Havas, Is Your Love Big Enough?, review". Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  7. ^ Ganz, Caryn (10 March 2010). "Sara Bareilles Turns Panic into Rebirth on Uptempo Summer Disc". Wenner Media LLC. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  8. ^ Kellman, Andy (29 May 2012). "Fall to Grace – Paloma Faith". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  9. ^ Matt Hales. "Matt Hales – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 February 2013.