Biography
- The Tallest Man on Earth (born 30 April 1983) aka Kristian Matsson is a folk singer and songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden whose musical career began in 2006.
Classically trained on the guitar as a child, it wasn’t until Matsson reached high school where he really began to experiment with style as his interest for folk music furthered inspired by the English musician Nick Drake.
After being part of Swedish rock band The Montezumas, Matsson went solo in 2006 under the moniker The Tallest Man on Earth and released his debut self-titled EP. His early releases struck a chord with critics with lyrical and vocal comparisons to the legendary folk American folk musician Bob Dylan. In 2008 he released his debut full length “Shallow Grave” showcasing his distinctive finger-picking guitar style coupled with his enchanting folk vocals displayed through tracks such as “The Blizzard’s Never Seen the Desert Sands” and “The Gardener”. Matsson’s poetic nature shone through the record captivating audiences as his music took them through the motions whilst evoking a range of moods.
Escaping to his native rural surroundings for inspiration and recording new material in his abode, in 2010 Matsson released his second album “The Wild Hunt” which peaked at number 38 in the Swedish music charts. The album fared well with critics praising him for leaving behind the Dylan comparisons by crafting his distinctive sound, rejuvenated by the elegance and simplicity of his folk melodies.
Repeating the recording process of his previous release, Matsson spent five months at home recording material for his third release “There’s No Leaving Now” (2012). With stand-out tracks like “1904” and “Revelation Blues”, the album reached number 14 in the Swedish album charts and number 34 in the US.
As The Tallest Man on Earth, Matsson has toured with his wife Amanda who performs under the name Idiot Wind as well as supporting the Icelandic folk star Bon Iver.
There are very few artists who can record vocals and instruments simultaneously, Matsson however does so eloquently providing raw and captivating recordings which remain engraved in your memory.