Matt Corby Rejects Sony Deal

by lkatulka on January 10th, 2008

Remember how Matt Corby was poised to sign a big recording contract with Sony BMG? The recording giant assured the young star he’d have the creative freedom he craves, but Matt still refused their generous offer.

“I’m still a young guy and I don’t want to be packaged. I’m just cruising along and playing music, if it all fails I’ll go back to doing my HSC or become a garbage man,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper reported that Matt’s dropped out of school to focus on his musical career with band Fatis Valour.

I know stars can succeed without the support of a major label, but I have to wonder whether Matt’s made right the decision here. Sony BMG may be a major commercial label, but they’ve nurtured some fantastic indie artists like Augie March, Something for Kate, and You Am I.

We’ve seen plenty of musicians succeed without the backing of a major label, but at the age of 16 I’m not sure whether Matt has what it takes to go it alone. It’d be a real shame to see this talented teen emptying garbage cans in a few years time.

Image source: Toby Forage @ Flickr

Tags: independent, Matt-Corby, Sony-BMG

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RHianne
Jan 23, 2008 at 3:20 am

OMG WHY DID HE REJECT THE DEAL! I LOVE MATT TO PIECES AND I RELLY WANT HIM TO PUT AN ALBUM OUT AND NOT BECOME A GARBAGE MAN EVEN IF HE WOULD BE THE HOTTEST GARBAGE MAN EVER!!! BUT OMG I AM SO UPSET HE SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED CAUSE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE MUSIC HE WANTED!!!
Lauren
Jan 23, 2008 at 6:48 pm

I just hope when Matt does realise he needs the support of a label he can find one. He’s got a huge fanbase now, but in a year’s time when Australian Idol finds their next pin-up boy the record companies may not be willing to sign him up. And I really think someone so young, with no industry experience, really does need that label backing to make it. Fingers crossed he realises that before it’s too late!
Erin
Feb 2, 2008 at 8:14 am

Gosh, of course Matt has made the right decision, I think he is smart enough to have chosen not to sign with sony, now he can be independent, and do what he likes.. Matt is said to move to Brisbane after the winners journey tour, which is finished and then he is supposed to be recording his own album, it’s going to be great!!
Lauren
Feb 2, 2008 at 8:20 pm

You’re entitled to your opinion Erin, but I’m not convinced Matt’s got the music industry know-how it takes to really make it as an independent artist. What I’m also saying is that signing to a major label doesn’t mean you have to sell out … there are plenty of alternative artists thriving with the big labels.
Karen
Feb 11, 2008 at 2:23 pm

I 2 am a big fan of Matt Corby. I wish he would put out a CD I’d be the first person to buy
Lauren
Feb 11, 2008 at 11:01 pm

Well I hope you get your wish Karen!
Anonymous
Feb 18, 2008 at 5:18 am

Rejecting the Sony deal isn’t nearly as bad as his choice to drop out of school. He only had one more year left (less than) and although I know how stressful it is (I’m year 12 now) he’ll be regretting it in a year or two’s time when he has no record deal and no HSC.
Lauren
Feb 19, 2008 at 6:28 pm

Hey Anonymous … I’ve got to agree with you that I think sticking with school really should have been the priority. I know most of the young Idols leave early, but I’m not sure it’s the wisest move. Surely you can pursue music and an education at the same time? Good luck with your HSC!
lol
Sep 4, 2008 at 3:28 pm

lol school sux. go corby.

nah seriously school is good and all, but ALOT OF YEARS are wasted in school with the crap they teach and the things they make you do.

i did good in school.. got into pharmacy, dropped out after 1st year because i figured out it wasn’t what i wanted.
now i think school was really a huge waste of time