With 2x ARIA #1 albums under his belt, a ten-gallon hat-full of hit singles, and a pair of boots that have tread the path of Country music across Australia to the Lone Star State, Matt Ward is "the genuine article" (Brisbane Courier Mail). The singer-songwriter boasts a fresh sound on his new single, ‘Come Home Safe’ – the first to appear ahead of his third album, ‘The Long Way Home’, set for release on 6th September and available for pre-order now.

 

The South Australian native has spent much of his life conducting environmental conservation in remote parts of the country, and sits on co-management boards with First Nations traditional owners for the Nullarbor area. It’s safe to say there are few stones this troubadour has left unturned. Yet, the idea for ‘Come Home Safe’ came from a yearning to explore somewhere new.

 

Incorporating imagery of the Australian bush and the challenges of traveling on country roads, the song delivers a cautionary tale about searching for happiness in distant places when, in reality, it may be found much closer to home.

 

With its searing tempo and fast-paced, hip-hop like vocal delivery, ‘Come Home Safe’ is a fresh new Australian country sound for Ward. Flawlessly produced by award winning producer Matt Fell, it also gives us a tantalising glimpse into with his forthcoming new album and national tour. 

 

Since he came onto the scene, Ward has consistently released “world class” (Rhythms Magazine) Australian songs bathed in landscapes, big skies and red desert highways that reflect the best elements of Australian storytellers such as Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daley.

 

Ward’s 2019 freshman record, ‘Heartland’, hit #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart, while his sophomore album, ‘If I Was In Dallas Tonight’, followed suit in 2021. Both albums produced multiple CountryTown Hot 50 airplay hits and scored the singer-songwriter spots at Groundwater Country Muisc Festival and abroad at Americanafest in Nashville. The songsmith has also been named a finalist 3 years running in the South Australian Music Awards.