{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}} {{Use South African English|date=November 2012}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Matthew Mole | image = Matthew Mole in action.jpg | caption = Mole performing live at Huawei Kday | birth_name = Matthew Joseph Mole | birth_place = Cape Town, South Africa | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|10|28|df=y}} | origin = Empangeni, South Africa | instrument = Vocal, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, banjolele, piano, ukulele, drums | genre = Pop | occupation = Musician, songwriter, singer | years_active = 2011{{ndash}}present | label = Universal Music Group | associated_acts = Yo Grapes, Francois van Coke | website = https://www.matthewmole.com | spouse = Jessica Anne Mole (m. 2015) }} '''Matthew Joseph Mole''' (born 28 October 1991) is a South African singer-songwriter from Cape Town, South Africa. He is the winner of the South African Music Awards record of the year 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=DeRosa |first=Nicole |date=12 May 2014 |title=Q&A with South African singer/songwriter Matthew Mole |url=https://music.allaccess.com/10-questions-with-south-african-singersongwriter-matthew-mole/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115235631/https://music.allaccess.com/10-questions-with-south-african-singersongwriter-matthew-mole/ |archive-date=15 January 2021 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=All Access Music |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=21 March 2014 |title=Matthew Mole |url=http://www.newreleasetoday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=4667 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106063909/http://www.newreleasetoday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=4667 |archive-date=6 January 2018 |access-date=5 January 2018 |work=New Release Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/Rocking-the-Daisies/watch-matthew-mole-answers-5-random-questions-at-superbalist-is-rocking-the-daisies-20161010|title=WATCH: Matthew Mole answers 5 random questions at Superbalist is Rocking the Daisies|work=channel24.co.za|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Matthew Mole is from Fish Hoek in Cape Town.<ref name=":2" />
Mole's father taught him how to play the guitar.<ref name=":0" /> He later learned how to play ukulele, banjo, piano, organ, and drums.<ref name=":0" /> He started writing his own music at the end of high school. According to Mole, his approach to writing music involves starting with a lyrical idea, a rhythm or a melody, and then recording different instruments and switching back and forth between them to build a finished song.<ref name=":1" />
Mole studied music production in Cape Town in 2010.<ref name=":0" />
== Career == His independent EP ''You Did Well, Kid'' was released online in 2011.<ref name="DL_Plaatjie">{{cite web |last=Plaatjie |first=Poliswa |date=5 June 2017 |title=Big support for Matthew Mole magic |url=http://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2017/06/05/big-support-matthew-mole-magic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714063535/http://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2017/06/05/big-support-matthew-mole-magic/ |archive-date=14 July 2017 |access-date=5 January 2018 |work=DispatchLIVE}}</ref> He also opened his other singles for free on the Internet. In August 2012, he won Converse's Get Out of the Garage competition, which awarded him a gig in London's 100 Club and a recording session at Converse's studio in New York.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Chris |date=15 August 2012 |title=CT singer Matthew Mole wins the 2012 Converse #Play100Club contest |url=http://lifeissavage.com/2012/08/15/ct-singer-matthew-mole-wins-the-2012-converse-play100club-contest-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818103848/http://lifeissavage.com/2012/08/15/ct-singer-matthew-mole-wins-the-2012-converse-play100club-contest-video/ |archive-date=18 August 2012 |access-date=27 June 2015 |work=Life is Savage}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=16 August 2012 |title=Matthew Mole walks away as the winner of Converse's Get Out of the Garage competition |url=https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/48819/matthew-mole-walks-away-as-the-winner-of-converses-get-out-of-the-garage-competition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306125904/https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/media/48819/matthew-mole-walks-away-as-the-winner-of-converses-get-out-of-the-garage-competition |archive-date=6 March 2022 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=Media Update}}</ref> After winning the competition, he signed to Just Music and released his second EP, ''Same Parts, Same Heart'', in December 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Matthew Mole|url=http://bimba.co.za/matthew-mole|access-date=2021-02-13|website=Bimba|language=en|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203055911/http://www.bimba.co.za/matthew-mole|url-status=dead}}</ref> His song from the EP, "Same Parts, Same Heart," was included in the soundtrack of the film ''Leading Lady.''<ref name=":2" />
Mole recorded and released his debut studio album, ''The Home We Built'', in 2013.<ref name=":0" /> The album was produced by Matthew Fink.<ref name=":0" /> Mole became the first South African artist to enter the iTunes SA chart at #1 on the first day of releasing his debut album.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Matthew Mole|url=https://filtermusicgroup.com/artist/matthew-mole/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Filter Music Group|language=en-US|archive-date=25 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825075539/https://filtermusicgroup.com/artist/matthew-mole/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album received nominations for Male Artist of the Year, Best Pop Album, and Best Engineer of the Year (Matthew Fink). Mole also received a nomination for Best Newcomer in the MK Awards.<ref name=":3" />
His second album, ''Run'', was released in 2016, followed by ''Ghost,'' released in November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herimbi |first=Helen |date=24 August 2016 |title=The Mole truth |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/the-mole-truth-2060599 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306125904/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/the-mole-truth-2060599 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=IOL |publisher=Independent Online}}</ref><ref name="News24">{{Cite web |last=Edwardes |first=Racine |date=19 November 2019 |title=Matthew Mole to share new music with fans at Parklife |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/Local/Peoples-Post/matthew-mole-to-share-new-music-with-fans-at-parklife-20191118 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301165530/https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/Local/Peoples-Post/matthew-mole-to-share-new-music-with-fans-at-parklife-20191118 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=News24}}</ref> ''Run'' was ranked number 1 on South Africa's iTunes within three months of release, and the single "Run" achieved Gold Status within three months of release. At the 23rd Annual South African Music Awards, the album was nominated for Best Pop Album, Best Produced Album, and Record of the Year.<ref name=":3" />
Mole describes his musical style as folk with an electronica influence.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-09-20|title=Matthew Mole|url=https://www.rollingstone.co.za/albumsrev/519-matthew-mole/|access-date=2021-02-13|website=Rolling Stone South Africa|language=en-US}}</ref> In live performances, Mole can be seen playing guitar, synth, kick drum, and triggered beats at the same time.<ref name=":1" /> He has performed at festivals such as 5FM's Cape Town Live Loud, 947's Joburg Day, East Coast Radio's Durban Day, Oppikoppi, Rocking the Daisies, K Day, the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert, Redhill School's Redfest, and the Seattle International Film Festival. He has performed in South Africa, the UK, the US, Thailand, and Russia.<ref name=":3" />
In 2020, Mole campaigned with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and NPO, WILDTRUST to raise awareness for ocean protection. He and his wife Jess are featured in a video highlighting the importance of oceans to the environment.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vivier|first=Tyler Leigh|date=2020-11-26|title=South African Musician Uses His Voice to Help Save the Oceans|url=https://www.goodthingsguy.com/environment/south-african-musician-uses-his-voice-to-help-save-the-oceans/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Good Things Guy|language=en-ZA}}</ref> thumb|Matthew Mole performing at Huawei Joburg Day
== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Album !! Comments |- | 2013 || ''The Home We Built''|| Released 29 July 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-home-we-built/1483578283 |title=The Home We Built by Matthew Mole |author= |date= |website=Apple Music |publisher= |accessdate=March 12, 2022}}</ref> |- | 2016 || ''Run''<ref name="bsharp">{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=4 July 2016 |title=Run by Matthew Mole |url=https://bsharpentertainment.africa/run-by-matthew-mole-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306125934/https://bsharp-entertainment.com/run-by-matthew-mole-2/ |archive-date=6 March 2022 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=B Sharp Entertainment |language=en-ZA}}</ref>|| Album |- |2019 || ''Ghost''|| Album |- | 2020 || ''Ghost Live''|| Live versions of songs from previous album |- |2023 |''Wake Up, It's Morning'' |Album |} <!-- Just a line break for visual aid --> {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! EP / Single !! Comments |- | 2011 || ''You did Well, Kid''|| EP<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 November 2014 |title=Matthew Mole |url=http://www.expressoshow.com/articles/Matthew-Mole?articleID=7128 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022113418/http://www.expressoshow.com/articles/Matthew-Mole?articleID=7128 |archive-date=22 October 2018 |access-date=13 February 2021 |website=Exppresso}}</ref> |- | 2012 || ''Same Parts, Same Heart''|| EP |- | 2020 || ''Pennsylvania'' || Single |- | 2020 || ''Keep It Together''|| EP |- | 2020 || ''Honey, I'm Home''|| EP |- | 2020 || ''Fall''|| EP |- | 2020 || ''Silent Night'' || Single (Cover) |- | 2021 || ''I'm With You'' || Single |- |}
== Awards == * Winner of Converse's Get Out of the Garage Competition<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /> *The 20th Annual South African Music Awards Nominee for Male Artist of the Year and Best Pop Album (2014) * An MK Awards nomination in the Newcomer category.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-12-17|title=Profile: Matthew Mole|url=https://www.whatsonincapetown.com/post/profile-matthew-mole/|access-date=2021-02-13|website=What's on in Cape Town|language=en-GB}}</ref> * He is the winner of the South African Music Awards record of the year 2021.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/Rocking-the-Daisies/watch-matthew-mole-answers-5-random-questions-at-superbalist-is-rocking-the-daisies-20161010|title=WATCH: Matthew Mole answers 5 random questions at Superbalist is Rocking the Daisies|work=channel24.co.za|access-date=5 January 2018}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.matthewmole.co.za/}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mole, Matthew}} Category:Living people Category:Artists from Cape Town Category:21st-century South African male singers Category:South African male guitarists Category:White South African people Category:1991 births Category:21st-century South African guitarists