Interview with Mat from The Beautiful Girls

The Beautiful Girls’ frontman Mat McHugh epitomises a Northern Beaches dweller, he’s a relaxed, surf-loving, guitar strumming dude. And his band’s music is a complete reflection of that attitude. As our local of the month, Mat tells us what it’s been like to spend 20 years here and what’s next for his sensational band…

OM: Tell me about growing up on the Northern Beaches, you’re obviously quite passionate about it…
Mat McHugh: Yeah, well I did, we’ve got a couple of new guys in the band who didn’t. But I grew up in Dee Why about two streets from the beach, I’ve lived there for 20 years and it’s where I live whenever I’m in Australia. It’s changed so much from when I was a kid though, 15 years ago Dee Why was more like the ghetto, and now it’s really polished. It’s a nice feeling to be a part of the beach’s history, to be a part of the soul of the place.
The vibe at Dee Why is awesome, maybe it’s because I grew up there, but I love it, my friends are there, the surf.

OM: I think I’ve spotted a few Northern Beaches references in your tunes!
MM: Yeah, you definitely might have, I’ve always been pretty adamant, and proud of where I’m from. You see some bands come out and try to pretend they’re from LA or London or Seattle or something, but there’s really no places I’d rather be from.

OM: Do you think growing up by the beach inspired your laid-back sound?
MM: I guess it probably did. The new record is not quite like that, it’s a bit more of a mix. But, yeah, where you grow up does help form your attitude. I mean it’s not like we’re up on the Gaza Strip, I would be faking it if I tried to force anger in my music. When you grow up in Dee Why, two streets back from the beach, it’s likely you’ve had a pretty good life!

OM: What are some of your best memories of the Northern Beaches?
MM: Hard to say you know, after 20 years it all kind of just blends into one big happy memory. I just love the vibe, I love being there without a care in the world, hanging with my friends, surfing, just sitting on the corner at Dee Why beach, shooting the breeze.

OM: Where is the best place to party on the NB?
MM: You know what? After five years of travelling the world on tour, I come back and feel quite disconnected from it. When I am home I generally play it a bit low key, if I do go out for a beer I’d probably go to The Wharf Bar or to In Situ to chill out.

OM: What is one thing you miss the most when you’re away?
MM: Definitely the surf. And just the whole vibe of the placein general, the streets are wide, there’s not a crazy amount of traffic, there’s room. When we’re on the road we see mostly cities, you know, because that’s where the biggest venues are and that’s where we want to play, but things are so hectic. Sp it’s nice to come home to space and room, it’s nice to have room to breathe.

OM: What’s the best thing you’ve seen, travelling the world?
MM: So many things! I have to say down the south of Portugal was pretty awesome, it has this weird kind of rocky, desert landscape. I like things a bit tropical and warm too, so Portugal was great.