Biography
Atlanta-based duo Mattiel, consisting of Mattiel Brown and Jonah Swilley, produces sunbaked rock & roll that carries a retro sensibility rooted in 1960s garage rock alongside a blues-rock intensity reminiscent of early White Stripes. Their 2017 self-titled debut captured that energy through live-in-studio tracking with a full band supporting Brown, though it appeared under her name as a solo endeavor. On the third album, 2022’s Georgia Gothic, a more refined indie rock approach surfaced, blending local Americana, pop, and hip-hop elements while staying grounded in visceral blues-rock.
Mattiel Brown grew up largely on a Georgia farm, where daily routines encompassed guitar practice and horseback riding in addition to standard agricultural chores. After relocating to Atlanta she took up work as a web designer and illustrator. There she connected with Randy Michael and Jonah Swilley through shared musical interests; after receiving her demos they praised her voice and invited her to join their band Black Linen for live performances. As multi-instrumentalists the pair also co-owned the songwriting and production outfit InCrowd, and when Brown proposed leading her own project they readily offered support. By 2017 those initial ideas had developed into complete songs, prompting nine months of sessions with an in-house band. InCrowd’s ties to Burger Records led the label to sign her, resulting in the late-2017 release of Mattiel as a solo project. Heavenly Recordings subsequently arranged a United Kingdom and European edition that surfaced in mid-2018.
To promote the album Mattiel played support dates for Portugal. The Man and appeared at multiple prominent European festivals. In August 2018 Brown rejoined Michael and Swilley to cut new material, yielding the six-track EP Customer Copy issued by Burger Records that December. The following year the act signed with ATO Records, and the trio reconvened to complete the full-length Satis Factory, which arrived on the label that June.
Brown and Swilley abandoned their customary separation of tasks and workspaces for the next record, instead writing and tracking together in one room. Honoring the breadth of their home state’s music community, Georgia Gothic emerged on ATO in March 2022 with a cover photograph of both musicians. Swilley produced the set before forwarding it to Grammy winner John Congleton for mixing.
Mattiel Brown grew up largely on a Georgia farm, where daily routines encompassed guitar practice and horseback riding in addition to standard agricultural chores. After relocating to Atlanta she took up work as a web designer and illustrator. There she connected with Randy Michael and Jonah Swilley through shared musical interests; after receiving her demos they praised her voice and invited her to join their band Black Linen for live performances. As multi-instrumentalists the pair also co-owned the songwriting and production outfit InCrowd, and when Brown proposed leading her own project they readily offered support. By 2017 those initial ideas had developed into complete songs, prompting nine months of sessions with an in-house band. InCrowd’s ties to Burger Records led the label to sign her, resulting in the late-2017 release of Mattiel as a solo project. Heavenly Recordings subsequently arranged a United Kingdom and European edition that surfaced in mid-2018.
To promote the album Mattiel played support dates for Portugal. The Man and appeared at multiple prominent European festivals. In August 2018 Brown rejoined Michael and Swilley to cut new material, yielding the six-track EP Customer Copy issued by Burger Records that December. The following year the act signed with ATO Records, and the trio reconvened to complete the full-length Satis Factory, which arrived on the label that June.
Brown and Swilley abandoned their customary separation of tasks and workspaces for the next record, instead writing and tracking together in one room. Honoring the breadth of their home state’s music community, Georgia Gothic emerged on ATO in March 2022 with a cover photograph of both musicians. Swilley produced the set before forwarding it to Grammy winner John Congleton for mixing.
Albums
Singles
