Aqualung (musician)
Matthew Nicholas Hales (born 17 January 1972) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer who has been performing professionally under the name Aqualung since the early 2000s. Aqualung is best known in the UK for his song "Strange and Beautiful", which was featured on a television advertisement for the new Volkswagen Beetle during the summer of 2002 and went on to become a top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart later that year. In the United States, Aqualung is also known for the song "Brighter Than Sunshine", which had considerable airplay and was used in the film A Lot Like Love and various television spots. Hales has released seven albums as Aqualung. The most recent, Dead Letters, appeared in 2022.
Matt Hales | |
|---|---|
Aqualung in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthew Nicholas Hales |
| Also known as | Matt Hales |
| Born | 17 January 1972 |
| Origin | Southampton, England |
| Genres | Alternative rock, soul, electronic |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Verve Forecast, Columbia, B-Unique |
| Website | aqualung |
As a songwriter and record producer, Hales has collaborated with Lianne La Havas, Bat for Lashes, Tom Chaplin, Mika, Daniel Wilson, Kina Grannis, Andreya Triana, the Fray, Kwabs, Jason Mraz, Reignwolf, Sara Bareilles, Jacob Banks, Paloma Faith, Disclosure, Alex Clare, Mansionair, Mikky Ekko, For King & Country and many others.
Hales' work has earned him various awards and nominations, including two Grammy and three Ivor Novello nominations.