| The Tallest Man on Earth | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kristian Matsson |
| Born | 30 April 1983 |
| Origin | Leksand, Dalarna, Sweden |
| Genres | Folk |
| Years active | 2006 – present |
| Labels | Gravitation, Dead Oceans |
| Associated acts | Montezumas |
| Website | tallestmanonearth.com |
| Members | |
| Kristian Matsson | |
Kristian Matsson (born April 30, 1983) is a singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden. Since 2006, he has released two full-length albums and two EPs. He performs under the moniker The Tallest Man on Earth. He is known for recording and producing his own records in whichever home is is currently living in, and states that the connection between his voice and guitar is so strong, he rarely records them as seperately tracked performances. [1]He is also known both by critics and his fans for his charismatic stage presence[2][3] Matsson is married to fellow Swedish singer-songwriter Amanda Bergman, who performs under the moniker Idiot Wind. The couple have toured extensively together, often performing songs together on stage. He has toured with Bon Iver.[4]
Critics have compared The Tallest Man on Earth to Bob Dylan both in terms of songwriting ability and vocal style.[5][6][7] When asked about his lyrical style, The Tallest Man on Earth explains that he began listening to Bob Dylan at fifteen, and upon hearing Dylan's cover material, he "tried to figure out where those songs came from" and became slowly exposed to early american folk, such as Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. But he is careful to qualify this, say "i don't consider my work to be a part of any tradition. This is how i play. This is how I write songs"[8]
With regards to his guitar technique, Matsson uses a variety of open tunings, and to a lesser degree standard tuning. He had classical guitar training in his youth, but says he "never really focues on it" and that by the end of high school he "got bored playing guitar because it was like math"[9], until he then discovered open tunings while listening to Nick Drake in his early twenties. He was drawn to this style of playing because it allowed him to focus on singing while still performing intricate music. [10]
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