WAITING (solo version)
Written, performed and recorded By Matt Cooper
Recorded in Sydney, Australia in 2009 
This was one of the last songs written for Leader. We never recorded it as a band and I hope one day I can recorded and make it sound how it sounds in my head. Believe it or not it’s actually about shopping.

Waiting (solo)

A BALLAD FOR JENNIE (solo version)
Written, performed and recorded By Matt Cooper
Recorded in Sydney, Australia in 2009 
During a period of writing nothing but power pop/rock songs, a very good friend of mine (who is a known songwriter) asked me if I ever write Ballads. This was my response.

A Ballad For Jennie (solo)

CAPITAL KISSES (solo version)
Written, performed and recorded By Matt Cooper
Recorded in Sydney, Australia in 2009 
Before we had emojis all we could do to confirm our love in a text message was a capital X. A capital X meant/means so much more than a little x. Now all we need to do is send an emoji (without words) to prove we care. How times have changed.
This song was written while I was dating my now wife. We’ve been married for almost 17 years. I actually get into trouble if I forget the X.

Capital Kisses (solo)

BETTER THAN YOU
Written by Matt Cooper
Performed and recorded by Leader
From the Album Lucky released in 2007
This was the ‘double A side’ to Another You. It’s actually written from a female perspective about being trapped in a one sided relationship and longing to be empowered, standing up for yourself and ultimately set free.

Better Than You (band)

THE OTHER SIDE
Written by Matt Cooper
Performed and recorded by Leader
From the Album Lucky released in 2007
This would have been our second single. It took me ages to convince the band that it ‘had legs’ and when we found the groove, it was always on the set list.  It was always a live favourite. It’s about being in an argument and wondering how I got in to it. It’s always better on the other-side of an argument. The making up is the best part.

The Other Side (band)

HMS FRIENDSHIP
Written, performed and recorded By Matt Cooper
Recorded using GarageBand (on the ipad) during the Covid-19 ‘Lockdown’ in April 2020
Another one of my new songs written during the lockdown, after 10 years of writers block.
At a time when we have never needed our friends more (for social/virtual contact, for reassurance, to laugh with, to cry with, to debate with and to stand with), here is a song about Friendship. Although only a demo, ‘HMS Friendship’ gets as close to a rawness and an emotive feel that I could hope for (and that GarageBand allows!). The song speaks for itself. Friends are very important. Having them and being one. I’m not religious but I do believe in friendship.

HMS Friendship (Home Demo)

MY AUSTRALIAN DAYS
Written, performed and recorded By Matt Cooper
Recorded using GarageBand (on the ipad) during the Covid-19 ‘Lockdown’ in April 2020
After a 10 year period of writers block, towards the end of 2019 I started to write songs again. Something just clicked and I found some confidence again. During the Covid-19 lockdown I managed to write and finish 7 songs. The one good thing about lockdown was having time to reach out to friends again. 
‘My Australian Days’, is a power-pop trio down memory lane, inspired by my time living in Australia where I made great friends and had some of the best times of my life. I miss it everyday. For a long time I couldn’t listen to songs by Australian bands, look at photos of my time living there or even watch Neighbours (struth!), as I got so sad. Sometime later I learned that we don’t just grieve for people.

My Australian Days (Home Demo)

Someone once said about Matt...

‘big melodies and candid lyrics’
‘Weezer meets the Beatles’
‘Full of infectious energy and hooks’

Short Bio…

MATT COOPER, a singer songwriter from West Sussex & the frontman of the alt-rock band STANMORE, wears his heart on his sleeve. Now in his mid 40’s, Matt writes original catchy pop/rock songs with big melodies & candid lyrics. 

If you’ve got the time Bio…. 

A fan of power pop bands like Weezer, Fountains of Wayne and Cheap Trick, Matt Cooper, a singer songwriter in his mid 40’s, likes to write catchy pop/rock songs that people can sing or hum a long to, and hopefully relate to. Matt wears his heart on his sleeve.

Now living in Bersted (between Chichester & Bognor Regis) Matt has enjoyed some pretty cool experiences during his career in music. Brought up listening to the sounds of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Waits and The Rolling Stones it was the 80’s new wave rock band The Cars that he remembers playing air guitar to first. 

To kick start his musical journey, in his teens, Matt enjoyed touring the UK, The East Coast of USA and Europe in various bands, in various roles (bassist, drummer etc) before, in his early twenties, he joined a couple of popular Brighton based bands.

Matt’s first bite of the cherry was when playing drums for art rockers Coin-Op (signing to the well known indie label Fierce Panda) where he was caught up in the whirlwind of tour busses, Radio 1, MTV, academy tours and festivals in USA, Spain and Sweden. 

After leaving Coin-Op Matt found his confidence to go solo, armed with a set of heartfelt pop/rock songs with candid lyrics. Getting bored of playing alone, recruiting good friends made on his musically journey, 
Leader was formed and within a year the band were eating sushi and playing to audiences across Japan. 

Then... Matt took a break. 

Stepping out of the spotlight, Matt moved to Australia in 2008, but still stayed involved in music by managing musicians and running a small record label. 

Returning to England in 2013, Matt took another break from music (to bring up his two children) before in late 2018, he was coaxed back into playing again which lead to a return to performing solo at various local open mic nights and venues in the south coast.

In early 2020,  after opening for one of his favourite bands, just as he was getting started again, our new foe COVID-19 reared it’s ugly head. 

Lockdown gave Matt a chance to write and finish some songs (after nearly 10 years of writers block) and now, fully vaccinated, he is ready to play again either solo or with his new power-pop band STANMORE.

Check out Stanmore in Instagram @stanmoreband

Matt Cooper (Leader/Stanmore)