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.
Come Out Of The Woods
Matthew And The Atlas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that you believe -
and through these hands I will receive -
a gift all golden and bright.
And it returned to me through the morning light.
Hey! Brother of mine - will you go where I can not follow?
I played for the Queen -
and twisted out of shape asking for more.
Well I'm twisted out of shape knocking at your door (your door).
Come down from the trees - you've been gone too long.
Return to the house that you came from.
Turn back on the road you traveled upon.
I stand - wasted.
Come out of the woods.
Hey! Autumn has come - and the wind scatters the dead leaves.
I put my back toward the sun - and I will sleep when I am done.
You would have choked trying to make it on your own.
Well you're twisted out of shape - and my, you've grown (you've grown).
Come down from the trees - you've been gone too long.
Return to the house that you came from.
Turn back on the road you traveled upon.
I stand - wasted.
Come out of the woods.
Hey! Winter has gone - and the leaves weave through the forest.
I know that you believe -
and through these hands I will receive -
a gift all golden and bright.
And it returned to me through the morning light.
The lyrics of Come Out Of The Woods by Matthew And The Atlas convey a message of hope and encouragement for someone who has been lost, twisted out of shape, and wasting away in the woods. The opening line, “Hey! Winter has gone”, suggests that a new season has arrived, and with it, there is a sense of renewal and new beginnings. The imagery of leaves weaving through the forest and the gift all golden and bright represent the beauty and blessings that await the person once they come out of the woods and find their way back to the house they came from.
The chorus “Come down from the trees - you’ve been gone too long. Return to the house that you came from. Turn back on the road you traveled upon. I stand - wasted. Come out of the woods”, is a clear message urging the person to leave behind the path that has led to their state of wasting away, and return home to where they can find love, support, and healing. The lines “I put my back toward the sun - and I will sleep when I am done” suggest a willingness to face the challenges of life head-on and not rest until the person has found their way back home.
Overall, the song Come Out Of The Woods is a beautiful, emotive and encouraging piece that reminds listeners that no matter how lost, twisted or broken they feel, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey! Winter has gone - and the leaves weave through the forest.
The dark and cold winter has ended, and now the vibrant leaves of spring are all throughout the woods.
I know that you believe -
I understand that you have faith in something greater than yourself.
and through these hands I will receive -
I will receive a special gift or message through some unknown means.
a gift all golden and bright.
The gift I will receive is something precious and bright, that will bring light to my life.
And it returned to me through the morning light.
The gift arrived to me again in the bright and hopeful morning light, giving renewed hope.
Hey! Brother of mine - will you go where I can not follow?
My friend, will you venture to a place where I cannot join you?
I played for the Queen -
I did something impressive and noteworthy, worthy of being seen by royalty.
she put her scar upon my skin -
But this achievement came at a cost, as it left a physical and emotional mark on me.
and twisted out of shape asking for more.
The Queen's demands left me contorted and in need of more, leaving me unfulfilled and unsatisfied.
Well I'm twisted out of shape knocking at your door (your door).
I am still struggling and in need of help, coming to you for aid.
Come down from the trees - you've been gone too long.
It is time to leave behind the isolation and disconnection of the woods, as you have been away for too long.
Return to the house that you came from.
Go back to the place you know as home, where you belong.
Turn back on the road you traveled upon.
Leave behind the path that took you away from your true self and destiny.
I stand - wasted.
I am left feeling drained and empty, seeing the toll that isolation has taken on me.
Come out of the woods.
It is time to emerge from the darkness and embrace the light and hope of the world outside the woods.
Hey! Autumn has come - and the wind scatters the dead leaves.
The season has changed once again, and the wind is clearing away the old and tired things of the past.
I put my back toward the sun - and I will sleep when I am done.
I am ready to face the darkness and challenges ahead, knowing that rest will come when the journey is complete.
You would have choked trying to make it on your own.
It would have been too difficult to succeed on your own, without help.
Well you're twisted out of shape - and my, you've grown (you've grown).
You are still struggling with the same issues, but you have also grown and changed in the process.
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AJR
Still my favorite album :)
Eulises Franco
Mattew and the atlas is my faavorite artist