Al Matcott today shares his latest single ‘Sophia’ – a brooding and cinematic alt-country offering, inspired by a 1983 science-fiction novel from American author Russell Hoban. Premiered on Melbourne’s Triple R yesterday, the track comes with a nostalgic video directed by David McKinnar (G-Flip, Graace, Confidence Man).

“Sophia was based off a novel called ‘Pilgermann’ which was a real trip out when I read it,” says Matcott. “It’s religious and psychedelic and the prose was darkly comic. I loved it. I wanted to keep this one pretty sparse and vague. The only percussion is knee-slapping.” 

With medieval and religious lyricism reminiscent of an early Nick Cave, ‘Sophia’ captures an air of Americana that lingers in its sparse melody and production.

The accompanying video for ‘Sophia’ likewise looks to late 20th century pop culture for inspiration. “We wanted to match the cinematic sound of the song, and we had to shoot it during lockdown,” explains director David McKinnar. “So we got a projector and I chopped a bunch of footage from film trailers and we did what we could. Originally, I had a bunch of footage from The Exorcist but Al is afraid of that movie. I’m glad we got some extended Godzilla in there.”

‘Sophia’ follows Matcott’s first single of 2022 ‘Now It’s Over’, which picked up streaming playlist adds locally and internationally. The haze-drenched, messy breakup single was also supported by Double J, MILKY and The Music, while the evocative music video made its TV debut on rage.

Al Matcott has grown from playing Melbourne’s shadier haunts, deeply rooted in the city’s indie and rock worlds, into an undeniably talented songwriter and solo artist on the rise. Releasing his own music for the first time in 2021, after spending the better part of five years cutting his teeth and perfecting his craft, Al’s fuzzy brand of alternative-rock and Kurt Vile-esque drawl has garnered international praise from CLASH, The Indie Scene, and Radio X – plus local tastemakers Tone Deaf, Pilerats, Trouble Juice, RRR, PBS, and Double J.

Having recently wrapped a headline east coast tour, Al Matcott heads to London next month for a very special show at Old Blue Last.

Across six minutes and 13 haunting seconds, ‘Sophia’ captures Al Matcott’s ability to beautifully world build within his music – it’s another captivating notch in Al Matcott’s belt.