At the age of 15, Hegarty taught himself to play the guitar and later joined a band playing heavy alternative rock, drawing inspiration from bands like System of a Down and The Smashing Pumpkins. However, his musical direction shifted when he discovered the works of singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, as well as contemporary acts like Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens. This newfound interest in folk music led Hegarty to pick up the acoustic guitar and the banjo, paving the way for him to perform solo acoustic gigs.
During a performance in Woking, Hegarty met pianist Lindsay West and multi-instrumentalist Dave Millar, with whom he formed the initial lineup of Matthew and the Atlas. The band gained recognition as part of the emerging folk movement in the United Kingdom and became regulars at London's Notting Hill Arts Club.
In 2009, Matthew and the Atlas released their first EP on Communion Records, a label co-founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons. Their EP "To the North" was Communion's second release and helped establish the band's following, further bolstered by touring as the opening act for Mumford & Sons. Subsequent EPs like "Kingdom of Your Own" followed.
In 2014, Matthew and the Atlas released their debut full-length album, "Other Rivers," showcasing polished production and the incorporation of keyboards and electronic percussion. For the album "Temple" (2016), the band recorded with members of Foreign Fields and also released an acoustic version of the same songs titled "Temple (Unplugged)."
Over time, the band's lineup solidified, with members like Alex Roberts (guitar), Tommy Heap (bass and keyboards), James Drohan (drums), and Emma Gatrill (harp) joining Hegarty.
Matthew and the Atlas has built a devoted live following in London and has embarked on tours, including a UK tour with Mumford & Sons. The band's musical journey has seen them explore various styles, from classic acoustic folk to electronica and alt-rock, all the while maintaining Hegarty's distinctive vocal style and emotive songwriting.
In 2011, after a band member's departure, Matthew Hegarty decided to return to performing "solo" under the Matthew and the Atlas moniker.
Currently, Matthew Hegarty is preparing to release his new album, "This Place We Live," on Communion Records in November 2023. For the first time, he takes on recording and producing duties, crafting a collection of deeply personal songs that reflect on past experiences, family, parenthood, love, and loss. To support the album's release, Matthew Hegarty will embark on a solo tour throughout the UK and Europe in the fall of 2023.
Cali
Matthew and the Atlas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know it'll be alright
I wait upon the stair
And I won't see you in light
All I need to see it through
You pulled the night right over you
Maybe I'll come back soon
Cali, don't burn this world down
Cali, you turned it right around
Cali, don't burn this world down
Cali, you turned it right around
I'm not afraid of it
I can see it, but I know that it's gone
It is the darkest light
And I know it'll carry on
All I need to see it through
You pulled the night right over you
Maybe I'll come back soon
Cali, don't burn this world down
Cali, you turned it right around
Cali, don't burn this world down
Cali, you turned it right around
Cali
Cali
Cali
The lyrics to Matthew and the Atlas's song "Cali" are open to interpretation, but it seems to be about finding hope in the midst of darkness and uncertainty. The singer, who may be struggling or feeling lost, sees someone who brings them comfort and reassurance ("Sometimes I see you there/ And I know it'll be alright"). The image of waiting on the stairs and not seeing the person in the light suggests that they are not physically present, but perhaps a memory or a figment of the singer's imagination.
The chorus seems to be directed at someone named Cali, whom the singer implores not to "burn this world down," suggesting that they have some kind of power or influence over the world or their own life. The repetition of "Cali" at the end of the song emphasizes their importance.
Overall, the lyrics seem to convey a sense of longing, nostalgia, and hope, as the singer grapples with the darkness but finds solace in the presence or memory of someone (or something) that reminds them of their inner strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I see you there
Occasionally, I catch a glimpse of you
And I know it'll be alright
Your presence brings me reassurance and comfort
I wait upon the stair
I anticipate seeing you soon
And I won't see you in light
I won't see you in a positive or hopeful way
All I need to see it through
I only need you to get me through tough times
You pulled the night right over you
You embraced darkness or sadness
Maybe I'll come back soon
I might return to a place where I feel safe and happy
Cali, don't burn this world down
Please don't destroy everything meaningful in the world, Cali
Cali, you turned it right around
You helped transform a situation or environment for the better, Cali
I'm not afraid of it
I'm unafraid of facing my fears or difficulties
I can see it, but I know that it's gone
I can acknowledge something that is no longer present or available
It is the darkest light
It's a unique kind of darkness or negative force
And I know it'll carry on
I understand that it will persist and endure over time
Cali
Repetition of Cali serves as a reminder or call to action to the person named Cali
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Colin Hegarty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind