Matt Henshaw

Matt Henshaw

Matt Henshaw is a singer-songwriter and musician from Nottingham, United Kingdom, whose work is rooted in soul and acoustic performance. Born Matthew Henshaw in 1987, he develops a style he calls Acoustic Rhythm and Gospel, built around guitar-led songs and a strong emphasis on voice. His influences include Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Steve Marriott and Sam Cooke, and his sound also draws on blues and soul traditions.

Early work and Censored

Henshaw is a founding member of the Midlands indie/blues band Censored, where he performs as lead singer, songwriter and guitarist. The band forms in the Midlands, supports Snow Patrol, Ocean Colour Scene and We Are Scientists, and plays the Isle of Wight Festival as well as Reading and Leeds. Censored splits in 2008.

Solo career and collaborations

After Censored ends, Henshaw steps away from music for a period before returning as a solo artist in 2010. He begins working with Birmingham MC ReggiiMental, and the pair release material under the name The Deepest Cellar. Their collaboration mixes blue-eyed soul with hip-hop, reggae, northern soul, dub and dance influences, and the style is described as B-Boy Soul. The project includes guest rappers and leads to the album Coming Around, which is associated with the underground UK hip-hop press and later wider attention.

Henshaw also fronts Satsuma Elephants, a project with a former bandmate that combines psychedelic rock with soulful undertones. Across his solo work and collaborations, he moves between soul, acoustic music, blues, hip-hop and rock while keeping songwriting and vocal performance at the centre of his output.

Recognition and performances

Henshaw receives critical attention from NME and The Guardian, appears on BBC Introducing, and features regularly on independent radio stations in the Midlands. He wins NME Breakthrough Act in 2010 and, after that recognition, opens the main stage for Dizzee Rascal at Lovebox Festival in London. His profile grows through live performance, including frequent shows across the UK.

Background and style

He is from Ilkeston, between Nottingham and Derby, and later lives in Leicester. His songs are self-written, and he is known for performing as a solo acoustic artist with just guitar and voice. His personal presentation in the music scene also includes tea-drinking and gardening, which appear in descriptions of his public image alongside his work as a soul singer-songwriter.