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.
Veins of Your History
Matthew And The Atlas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will it slip away and leave when you're old?
I'll wait where the tall tree bends.
If you find me, I'll be with you near the end.
How long before that fear sets in?
Will it come to you to wash away your sin?
How long before you cut me down to size?
Oh, my love - you're not alone.
Oh, my love - you're not alone.
And you move around in this city.
It's veins shaped your history.
I know you've been far from home -
and that medicine cuts right to the bone.
I see the grief got caught on your face.
Running from a nameless place.
Go tell your father you didn't mean to lie.
Don't worry about us - we'd never ask you "why?"
Oh, my love - you're not alone.
Oh, my love - you're not alone.
You'll take off your sides.
That river runs wide.
You'll wait where only better winds have blown.
For a little peace of mind - it's a hard way to be.
For a little peace of mind - that's a hard way to be.
The lyrics to Matthew and the Atlas's song, Veins of your History, are reflective and full of questions about love and life. The opening lines ask about how long someone's "crowns" will stay "gold" - perhaps symbolic of someone's achievements and success. The singer questions whether these achievements will slip away as they age. They then express their desire to wait for their loved one by the "tall tree bends," indicating that they will always be there for them, no matter what.
The following lines ask about when fear will set in and wash away someone's "sin." They also question how long it will take for them to be cut down to size and realize the impact of their actions. These questions suggest a level of doubt and uncertainty in a relationship.
The chorus reassures the loved one that they are not alone, indicating that the singer will always be there for them. They then bring up the city and how its "veins shaped your history," suggesting that the individual has experienced a lot in their life. The singer acknowledges the grief on the loved one's face and how they've been running from a "nameless place."
The lyrics encourage the loved one to go tell their father that they didn't mean to lie, indicating that there may have been a lack of honesty in the relationship. The singer then reassures them that they don't need to worry about explaining themselves.
The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus and the lines about taking off their sides, waiting for better winds, and finding peace of mind.
Overall, the lyrics in Veins of your History are full of introspective questions about life and love. They explore themes of doubt, uncertainty, and the importance of being there for someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
How long will your crowns stay gold?
How long will your success last?
Will it slip away and leave when you're old?
Will your success disappear with time?
I'll wait where the tall tree bends.
I'll wait for you at our meeting spot.
If you find me, I'll be with you near the end.
I'll be with you until the end of time.
How long before that fear sets in?
How long before the fear takes hold?
Will it come to you to wash away your sin?
Will it absolve you of your guilt?
How long before you cut me down to size?
How long until you bring me down?
However long it takes you to realize.
I'll wait until you see the truth.
Oh, my love - you're not alone.
You are not alone in this world.
And you move around in this city.
You navigate through the city.
It's veins shaped your history.
The city's veins have influenced your past.
I know you've been far from home -
I know you've been away from your roots.
and that medicine cuts right to the bone.
It hurts you deeply.
I see the grief got caught on your face.
I see how sad you are.
Running from a nameless place.
Escaping from a place without a name.
Go tell your father you didn't mean to lie.
Confess to your father that you didn't want to deceive him.
Don't worry about us - we'd never ask you 'why?'
We won't judge you.
You'll take off your sides.
You'll become more vulnerable.
That river runs wide.
The river is very vast.
You'll wait where only better winds have blown.
You'll wait in a place where things are better.
For a little peace of mind - it's a hard way to be.
Finding peace is difficult.
For a little peace of mind - that's a hard way to be.
Finding peace is difficult.
Writer(s): HEGARTY MATTHEW COLIN
Contributed by Liam C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
loganpendel1
How long will your crowns stay gold?
Will it slip away and leave when you're old?
I'll wait where the tall tree bends
If you find me, I'll be with you near the end
How long before that fear sets in?
Will it come to you to wash away your sin?
How long before you cut me down to size?
However long it takes you to realize
Oh, my love - you're not alone
Oh, my love - you're not alone
And you move around in this city
It's veins shaped your history
I know you've been far from home -
And that medicine cuts right to the bone
I see the grief got caught on your face
Running from a nameless place
Go tell your father you didn't mean to lie
Don't worry about us - we'd never ask you "why?"
Oh, my love - you're not alone
Oh, my love - you're not alone
You'll take off your sides
That river runs wide
You'll wait where only better winds have blown
For a little peace of mind - it's a hard way to be
For a little peace of mind - that's a hard way to be
Avery Lexus
great music really keep making these i love it
Michael Z-C
Song of the day: 13-08-2016: on this day of strength, of opening these same veins back to city----there can be no more doubt, no serious doubt, as to what must come.
Michael Z-C
Song of the day 20/02/2017: yesterday at sunset on Bloor St, every window pane down the corridor caught fire.