British Artist Natalie Matos to Launch New Album in Goa

Singer-songwriter Natalie Matos. Photo: Trisham Dey

The charm of India often ensures globe trotters who come visiting never leave. Natalie Matos, a singer-songwriter from Brighton, U.K., came to Goa for the first time 13 years ago and instantly fell in love with the place, so much so that she decided to settle down in the idyllic coastal state.

In 2012, she released her debut album, Bird Soaring High. “That album was just a home release, to try and get gigs. It was just me and an acoustic guitar,” says Matos, who is now ready with her sophomore album eXhale. Sonically, this release is more expansive in nature and packs in everything from acoustic folk, soul, funk and even tribal elements. eXhale also features her band comprising local musicians Vivek Philip (drums) and Karan Sajnani (guitar), as well as Goa-based Russian artists Philipp Meshcheryakov (keyboard), Linar Rizatdinof (bass) and Anna Shabalina (cello). The 11-track album was recorded at Phillip’s home studio with Matos and Phillip co-producing it. Matos began the process of crowdfunding it in 2015, using the track “Love Over Gold” as the flagship song. The campaign was launched in Ibiza with the help of the online platform Indiegogo. “It went really well. We actually went over target,” gushes Matos.

Matos also believes that eXhale is a result of her having become more aware of nature and how life works. An ardent meditation and yoga practitioner, the singer-songwriter says she tries to follow her own truths in her music. “A lot of what I write about is really me trying to help myself. I try to treat people the way I would want to be treated and all of this comes out in my songs.” eXhale ranges from the funk-jazz track “Free To Love” and the slow jam “Sixteen Years” to the salsa-inspired “Rhythm In My Bones.”  The title track of the album is under two minutes and is about a sense of relief. “In terms of feeling, having created lots of songs, putting it all together and coming up with something you can be proud of, you can finally lay down and exhale,” explains Matos.

Matos and her band will launch eXhale tonight, January 20th, at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne. Based on how the launch goes, Matos plans on going on a tour to promote the album. “We’re hoping to go to Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.”

 Buy the album here.

‘eXhale’ album artwork by Nomaita Khatri and Atsuko Tanaka