Matt Corby

Trying to build something that's real

It seems a dream come true— the hype, the attention, the success and the opportunities that follow. But for Matt Corby, runner-up in the 2007 season of Australian Idol, the aftermath of his Idol experience has seen him trying to step back, reassess and perhaps start over.

"I’ve just been cruising," Corby says of the few months following Idol, "just been writing music and sort of taking myself out of everything.

"I had some pretty sweet opportunities come my way but I wasn’t keen on them, so I have returned to being a normal kid.

I’m still a musician but just doing it in a normal way, instead of a way that consists of hype and is pretty shallow. So I’m just taking a step back and trying to build something that’s real."

So while Corby has been playing and writing music, it has not been in the way that might be expected from an Idol star. "I never really enjoyed all that hype," he says.

"But [these past few months] have been really enjoyable because I’m starting to feel more normal. I’m just a kid really—I’m only 17 and just love music. So I’m taking it back to what I used to do."

Listening to Corby speak of his experience, the obvious question is would he do it again if he knew beforehand what it would mean and what it would be like?

"That’s a tough one," he says. "In all fairness to Idol, it got me here.

I’ve met some great people, had the chance to sing at some really great places and showcase what I’ve got.

"But it was a very strange experience. It was challenging most of the time, so I would probably lean toward thinking I wouldn’t do it if I knew what I know now. Just because it is kind of tough and your normalcy gets taken from you. It’s weird to deal with and it’s changed my life. I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad way yet but positives and negatives have come from it— just like anything."

Corby is happy to be described as a Christian musician and was in his element as a headlining artist at Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) in Toowoomba, Queensland, in March. "It’s great coming to places like this and you get a warm reception," he says. "I am not ashamed [of my faith] at all.

I used to sing in church for many years, so it’s nothing different."

Corby’s parents became Christians when he was two years old, so he grew up in church.

Heading into the Australia Idol competition, Corby says he wondered how his faith would fit with the TV show. "But [the experience] actually made me more self-reliant," he reports, "as in I had to push myself to ‘get into’ God more. I was self-motivated, so it strengthened my relationship [with God], which was great.

So where next for Matt Corby?

Corby says he is thinking about working on an album. "I know that sounds weird," he says. "Most people would probably jump right in. But I’m still considering the prospects of creating an album. I’m writing pretty full-on for something—I’m just not sure what. But I’m a bit directionless at the moment, so I am just singing and having a bit of fun."

For an extended article on Matt Corby, check out the May issue of Signs of the Times or visit www.signsofthetimes.org.au/ archives/2008/may/article1.shtm .