MARATHON EFFORT A TRUE INSPIRATION
ALL you need is love, according to musical greats The Beatles and Palm Beach local Matty Breen.
The singer, songwriter and recording artist, 24, has been writing music since he was 14 and has just released his debut EP Ten Years Apart which he said was an ode to his muse and fiance Jay-Louise Clark, who is also a talented multiinstrumentalist and teacher.
Brought up in Liverpool in England, Breen said The Beatles were very much a prevalent force in his life before he came to Australia aged 19.
So much so that he performed in Lennon the Musical at the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool in 2013 playing the role of George Harrison which he said was a “big step forward” in his career.
“I was brought up around music, dad played guitar and mum played drums and still sings, so I guess when I started playing guitar when I was eight that was really it,” he said.
Ten Years Apart features original tracks with a common theme.
“I’ve been writing since I was 14 and at that age obviously you write about the things around you growing up, underage drinking, partying, girls and love,” he said.
“I guess the only thing that’s really stuck with me since then is love. Love is the answer. The songs are about my now fiance.
“I have such an eclectic music taste but the sound of my teenage years definitely comes out. The Wombats were a big influence on me, The Kooks really opened up my eyes to indie rock.
“And Coldplay really comes out at times in my music.”
The multi-instrumentalist started playing clarinet as a child but it was when he picked up a guitar for the first time athat his love of music began.
Breen can also play piano and drums.
“It’s just an itch to find the next challenge, taking up the Indian instrument the sitar just to find some drive to learn
WITH KATE PARASKEVOS
and grow as a musician,” he said.
A video taken of Breen performing in Manchester airport in 2015 went viral, amassing more than three million views.
To buy the EP, visit www.mattybreen.com. PALM Beach local Jake Malby has completed 31 marathons in 31 days to raise awareness of mental health issues. Every day in August, Mr Malby ran a marathon, raising funds for Gold Coast mental health charity LIVIN.
He reached his target of running 1300km when he finished the last leg of his journey at Burleigh Heads.
A few years ago, Mr Malby (pictured) was tormented by anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts before he discovered the power of running.
The 27-year-old communications technician has struggled through adversity since he was 16, including his girlfriend being diagnosed with cancer and his decision to leave school to look after her.
He also witnessed a close friend commit suicide in 2015, which saw his mental health take a dive. “I’m reaching out to the community to help me spread the word and break the stigma behind mental health and raise awareness,” he said. “LIVIN’s motto ‘it ain’t weak to speak’ resonates with me strongly, because if I hadn’t done, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
“This last month has been my biggest physical and mental challenge to date, some days are much harder than others, but you’ve always got to keep on fighting.”
LIVIN co-founder and co-CEO Casey Lyons says the marathon and Jake’s efforts are an inspiration to the community. “The message needs to get through that it’s okay to bring it out into the open if you’re struggling,” he said.