Not many artists can say they received a compliment from Teddy Swims, the American singer-songwriter known for Lose Control and The Door, but Australia’s own Matt Corby can.
Many know Corby as a multi-ARIA Awards winner for his breakthrough tracks “Brother” and “Resolution.” Others have followed his journey from his successful studio albums—including Telluric and 2026’s Tragic Magic—or remember him as the 16-year-old powerhouse who placed second on Australian Idol.
However, what isn’t as well-known is just how much fatherhood shifted his music career, and how the music he “never intended to make” led to conversations he never expected.
Ahead of his Tragic Magic tour this year, the 35-year-old artist and father of two sat down with WHO to discuss touring, fatherhood, and what sparked his latest studio album.
Teddy Swims blindsided Corby on tour
In October, 2025, Corby opened for Teddy Swims during his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour in Australia and New Zealand. However, Corby confesses to WHO that behind the scenes, Swims opened up to him in a way he never expected, reminding him of why he started making music in the first place.
“Teddy took me off guard a couple of times,” Corby reveals. “We had a night where we had a few beers, and he got real about my music. He started saying that he’d been listening to me since he was in high school and then started rifling off all these more obscure songs of mine and how they helped him through this time in his life.”
“He’s such a beautiful guy, and I’ve been lucky that a lot of my music career has been full of moments like that.”
To receive praise from fans is one thing, but to hear that an artist you respect was listening to your music long before you rose in popularity is another feeling entirely.
What is Tragic Magic about?
Corby’s most recent studio albums Everything’s Fine and Tragic Magic touch on existential philosophies on mortality, living, human nature, and finding peace in chaos.
Speaking candidly, the singer told WHO about the emotional period of time during which Tragic Magic was written.
“The album was written in a period that was pretty heavy,” Corby explains. “My partner’s mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she and my partner were very, very close.”
He continues, “I think the songs that were being written at that time were all based around the process of grief, our mortality, this tiny blip where we get to be alive and experience what we get to experience, what life really means, what’s important, and what isn’t.
“A lot of those questions, little philosophies, and existential crises were going on in my head at the time, and that’s just how it all came out in music land.”
Corby adds, “I wasn’t even intending on making a record, but the songs were just pouring out of me, and it ended up being what it was.
“Tragic Magic is a way to sum up what our life is and what it is to be. We take life for granted way too much. It’s a beautiful thing that we get to do, which is live, even though sometimes it’s awful.”
It’s his ability to reflect the discomfort that comes with living that makes fans and artists alike feel like they can be vulnerable with the singer-songwriter.
“I’ve had lots of deep conversations [with fans],” Corby says. “Very open, vulnerable conversations that I’ve had with people about certain parts of their lives, maybe more so what music does for them in general. I love that stuff.”
“I feel like if anyone’s music can accomplish helping someone through something difficult, then that is really the purpose, right? It makes it feel like it’s not all just for nothing, or for yourself.”
Corby appreciates touring “on a whole new level” after having kids
Despite loving music and touring, Corby admits that it all became “a lot less important” after having kids, which made him appreciate these parts of his career even more.
“I’ve always loved touring, but I think – and this sounds bad – after having kids, I’ve appreciated it on a whole new level,” he muses. “Not because I’m away from the kids, but just because after having kids, music became a lot less important. It’s no longer the number one priority in my life.”
“So, when I get to play music for people, there’s this real grateful feeling that comes over me where I’m like, ‘I’m so happy that I still get to do this in my life.’”
Beyond changing his schedule, fatherhood has fundamentally shifted how Corby views the people in front of him.
“When you become a parent, you kind of see everyone as a kid again,” he admits. “You see yourself as a kid as well. You think about your own parents when they had you, and how they were just young and had no idea what they were doing.”
“It’s a nice way to approach this kind of job, where you’re under pressure and standing in front of an audience, because it takes the edge off. You’re not as concerned about yourself; you’re more concerned about creating an experience and what you can do to foster these moments.
“It’s been a really good perspective shift for me.”
Matt Corby Tour Dates
Friday 12 June Newcastle Civic Theatre – Newcastle, NSW (18+) Tickets: Civic Theatre Newcastle
Saturday 13 June VIVID, Tumbalong Park – Sydney, NSW (18+) Tickets: Free
Sunday 14 June The Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD (18+) Tickets: Ticket Master
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
