Originally from Malakal, Sudan, Mathew was first introduced to music by his uncle, and learned to play the Shilluk lyre called a 'Thum'. Being in a Christian missionary environment, Matthew's music genre was most naturally shaped along Christian themes. He began composing his own songs whilst a refugee with his young family in Cairo, Egypt, with sales of his cassette tapes supplementing his refugees allowance. Mathew moved to Townsville in 2007 and is a member of 'Hakuna Matata', the 'African Association of Townsville'. His musical ambition is to diversify into themes to do with the settlement of Sudanese and other African peoples in Australia, while continuing with his Christian themes as well.
Mathew & Thbysa's CD "Shout it Out" available now from the Music Centre North Qld, Mary Who bookstore, African Bazaar, and online. Listen to samples online using the player to the left of this page - click on the lower arrow to play songs.