singer/songwriter/journalist/traveler
South African born singer/songwriter/journalist/traveller and nomad Matt “Beard” Vend has been playing music in bands since 1999, from the “tender” age of 14. His projects include the long running Sibling Rivalry, which managed to gain a loyal and cult like following throughout South Africa and even parts of Thailand being one of the most influential punk bands to come out of Durban in the last decade. The short lived but extremely well received Tubby Wilsons which delved into both Matt and fellow writer and musician Yusuf Laher and The Nader's affection for nostalgic pop and punk music and Durban’s first folk inspired punk/rock ‘n roll band Car Boot Vendors.
He is no stranger to the studio and has recorded collectively over 80 songs with the various projects he has been involved with, including guest appearances with Fruits and Veggies (Durban afro/reggae misfits), Misled (Joburg’s finest new school hardcore/punk band) and Blaq Hitler (Durban MC and hip hop producer).
He is now finally delving into the production side of making music, and helped record and produces his first solo offering which was released in 2012 with the help from Kurt Peinke who co-produced the record. He has done a few shows in and out of Bangkok over the last few years and also embarked on an adventure through Vietnam early 2012, busking and playing shows from Hanoi to Saigon. Although recording is a big part of this musician’s repertoire live is where he shines, with literally hundreds of shows under his belt across South Africa and Thailand appearing on every stage imaginable from street corners and dingy bars to major festivals.
2013 saw him front and write songs for classic rock act The Accidentals as well as the folk duo, The Incidentals collaborating with violinist Hezron Chetty. 2014 will see Matt release his second full length album at the end of October, followed by some international touring.
