The Matthews Baartmans Conspiracy Iain Matthews & BJ Baartmans

• 1 Sleepwalking 04:08
• 2 The Corner of Sad and Lonely 04:30
• 3 Are You a Racist 03:25
• 4 14 Months 06:45
• 5 I've Gone Missing 05:10
• 6 Writing off the Blues 04:13
• 7 All That Glitters 05:03
• 8 Here's Looking at You 04:41
• 9 Low in the Water 04:01
• 10 Is This It 05:10
• Total Runtime 47:06

Info for The Matthews Baartmans Conspiracy

Singer songwriter Iain Matthews and guitarist / singer songwriter / producer BJ Baartmans met in 2003, shortly after the former had relocated to the south of Holland. BJ was accompanying touring American singer songwriter, Eugene Ruffolo, in a local music cafe and the two were introduced after the show. A mutual respect for each other’s talents developed and they have been playing and recording together more or less since then. Mostly in the all Dutch line-up of Matthews Southern Comfort, which they formed together in 2005. Releasing three albums and touring extensively throughout Europe.

It's a natural habitat for both musicians who each have a long and rich history in the music world, as a solo act or band member: Matthews worked, amongst others, with Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong, More Than A Song. Baartmans worked with a long list of Dutch and international acts like Oh Susanna, Jeff Finlin, David Corley. Amy Speace, Cara Luft.

When last years’ pandemic forced all performers off the road, the two began writing together in earnest and made plans to record and tour as a duo once curfews were lifted. Calling themselves ‘The Matthews Baartmans conspiracy’, a year and half and seventeen tunes later, their new album titled “Distant Chatter” and its accompanying EP “Close Call” will be available from October 15, 2021.

It's a collection of rootsy Americana songs with an adventurous, gritty and colorful side to it. Intruiging harmonies and ear catching hooklines. Matthews and Baartmans call it “an album that had no other option than to be made”. And there it is.

Iain Matthews, vocals & acoustic guitar
BJ Baartmans, harmony vocals, electric & acoustic (slide-) guitars, bass, mandolin, keyboards, drums, percussion

The Matthews Baartmans Conspiracy
Barton born singer songwriter, Iain Matthews and guitarist/singer/ songwriter/producer BJ Baartmans met in 2003, shortly after the former had relocated to the south of Holland.

BJ was accompanying touring American singer songwriter, Eugene Ruffolo in a local music cafe and the two were introduced after the show. A mutual respect for each other’s talents developed and they have been playing and recording together more or less since then mostly in the all Dutch line-up of Matthews Southern Comfort, which they formed together in 2005 releasing three albums and touring extensively throughout Europe.

It’s a natural habitat for both musicians who each have a long and rich history in the music world, as a solo act or bandmember:

Matthews worked with Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong, More Than A Song and Baartmans worked with a long list of Dutch and international acts like Oh Susanna, Jeff Finlin, David Corley. Amy Speace, Cara Luft

When last year’s pandemic forced all performers off the road, the two began writing together in earnest and made plans to record and tour as a duo once curfews were lifted. Calling themselves The Matthews Baartmans Conspiracy, a year and half and 17 tunes later, their new album titled Distant Chatter and its accompanying EP Close Call is now available.

It’s a collection of rootsy Americana songs with an adventurous, gritty and colourful side to it with intriguing harmonies and ear catching hook lines. Matthews and Baartmans call it “an album that had no other option than to be made”. And there it is.

Beginning in November 2021, playing both new and old material, the pair can be seen on stages across Europe in support of their lockdown album. Home away from home.

Iain Matthews first gained attention as a founding member and vocalist for the innovative Fairport Convention’s first three albums, changing the voice of folk music in his country. He moved on to create Matthews’ Southern Comfort, exploring his interest in American music. They had a No 1 hit in the UK with Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’. Never one to stand still for very long Iain moved on during the 1970’s with another group, Plainsong. An ensemble that allowed Iain to blossom as a songwriter and acoustic guitarist – supported by his ex-Fairport mates Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson both in the studio and in Richard’s case on tour. Between his own solo recording and various Plainsong line-ups Iain released ten albums to critical acclaim including another well known Top Ten US hit with the single ‘Shake It’.

During the early 1980’s Matthews turned towards the business side of musicas a rep for Island Records, but was persuaded by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin to get back to making music.He returned to the USA for more solo work and Plainsong records. During this period he recorded a wonderful version of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Mercy Street”, contributed to a Phil Ochs’s Tribute album and recorded plus toured with Nanci Griffith. Next he released another respected record with the somewhat sarcastic title “Excerpts from Swine Lake”.

In 2000 Matthews settled in the Netherlands and found a busy, happy life in Europe with more touring of the UK and continent. Yet more well received collaborative recordings were issued including a Tribute album to Sandy Denny. Since then Matthews has found one of his most sympathetic musical companions the pianist Egbert Derix. However Matthews feels he has finally found an almost perfect musical sweet spot, playing solo, in support of his most recent solo album ‘A Baker’s Dozen”. As his 50 years (can this be true) in the business prove, things do come around again and again…. and Iain Matthews, guitar in hand and songs springing from his muse, is available for bookings..