Matthew Tavares: The Architect Behind the Sound, Emotion, and Evolution of Modern Experimental Music

Some musicians create songs.

Others create entire worlds.

Matthew Tavares is the type of artist who builds those worlds from the ground up.

Known for his work as a founding member of Toronto’s groundbreaking instrumental group BADBADNOTGOOD, as well as his solo work under the name Matty, Tavares has spent his career challenging what modern music can sound like. Blending jazz, hip hop, psychedelia, ambient textures, indie rock, and experimental sounds, he has become one of the most interesting creative minds in contemporary music.

What makes Matthew Tavares stand out is not just his ability as a musician.

It is his ability to create emotion through sound.

His music does not rely on traditional formulas. Instead, he approaches songs like landscapes, allowing melodies, instruments, and atmosphere to guide the listener through different feelings and experiences.

A piano note can become a memory.

A synthesizer can become a feeling.

A melody can tell a story without saying a single word.

That is the magic behind his artistry.

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Matthew Tavares developed his musical foundation through jazz studies before helping form BADBADNOTGOOD in 2010 alongside Alexander Sowinski and Chester Hansen. The group quickly gained attention for their unique approach, blending jazz musicianship with hip hop influences and reimagining what an instrumental band could be.

BADBADNOTGOOD became known for their collaborations with artists across multiple genres, working with names such as Ghostface Killah, Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown, Kendrick Lamar, and others. Their ability to move between jazz, hip hop, and experimental music helped introduce a new generation of listeners to instrumental music.

But Matthew Tavares was never just a keyboard player.

He was a composer.

A producer.

A songwriter.

A creative force.

His contributions helped shape the emotional identity of the music he was creating. His arrangements and production style brought warmth and depth, creating songs that felt cinematic rather than simply performed.

After years of touring and working within BADBADNOTGOOD, Tavares began exploring his own artistic direction. His solo work under the name Matty allowed him to step outside expectations and create music that was more personal, introspective, and experimental.

His 2018 album Déjàvu showed another side of his creativity. The project explored softer psychedelic sounds, emotional songwriting, and atmospheric production, revealing an artist who was not interested in staying inside one musical box.

That willingness to evolve has always been one of his greatest strengths.

Many artists spend their careers trying to find one successful sound and repeat it.

Matthew Tavares does the opposite.

He follows creativity wherever it leads.

His collaborations with artists like Leland Whitty have further expanded his musical universe, exploring jazz, ambient, and experimental compositions that feel deeply immersive. Projects such as Visions demonstrate his ability to create music that feels both complex and emotionally accessible.

One of the most impressive things about Tavares is his attention to atmosphere.

His songs often feel like movie scenes without a movie attached.

They create images.

They create emotions.

They create memories.

That is a rare skill.

Music has always been about more than entertainment. At its best, music becomes a place people can escape to, and Tavares understands that deeply.

His work represents the beauty of independent creativity: the freedom to experiment, the courage to change, and the willingness to create something different even when there is no guaranteed path.

That mindset is exactly what makes artists like Matthew Tavares important.

He represents musicians who are not chasing the spotlight.

They are chasing the next idea.

They are chasing the next sound.

They are chasing something meaningful.

In a world where music is often created around algorithms and trends, Matthew Tavares reminds listeners that artistry still matters.

The imperfect moments.

The unexpected sounds.

The emotional connections.

Those are the things that make music unforgettable.

The Underground Wire Verdict

Matthew Tavares is an artist who continues to redefine what modern musicianship can be.

From his groundbreaking work with BADBADNOTGOOD to his deeply personal solo projects, he has proven that creativity has no boundaries. His ability to blend genres, create emotional landscapes, and push musical expectations makes him one of the most fascinating artists working today.

For listeners who enjoy music that challenges, inspires, and rewards deeper exploration, Matthew Tavares is an artist worth discovering.

The Underground Wire Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

Artist Snapshot

Artist: Matthew Tavares

Also Known As: Matty

Origin: Mississauga / Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Genres: Jazz Fusion, Experimental, Ambient, Indie Rock, Instrumental Hip Hop, R&B

Known For:

• Founding member of BADBADNOTGOOD

• Keyboardist, composer, producer, and songwriter

• Genre-blending experimental soundscapes

• Collaborations across hip hop, jazz, and alternative music

Recommended Listening:

🎵 Déjàvu

🎵 Visions (with Leland Whitty)

🎵 Richard Dry

🎵 Mississauga

🎵 BADBADNOTGOOD – IV

🎵 BADBADNOTGOOD – Sour Soul 

Why You Should Listen:

Matthew Tavares creates music for listeners who want to feel something. His work exists somewhere between jazz, dreams, memories, and emotion. He is proof that the most exciting artists are often the ones who refuse to be defined by one sound.