Chinese Name: 宋唯農
Born: October 4, 1982
Place of Birth: Taitung County (Eastern Taiwan)
Did You Know That?
Matzka is a Taiwanese singer, songwriter, composer, and music producer of Paiwan heritage. He is also the lead vocalist of the eponymous band Matzka.
Before gaining widespread recognition, Matzka had a rather late start in his music career. At the age of 18, he worked during the day and attended night classes at a university. He only began his musical journey at the age of 26 after joining a guitar club, where he started learning music theory. During that time, he held day jobs to make a living while performing as a resident singer in live houses and pubs at night, exploring various music genres from rock to pop. His introduction to reggae music happened when a friend recommended an album by the Jewish musician Matisyahu, which led him into the world of reggae.
In December 2010, Matzka’s band released their self-titled debut album, which earned them the Best Band award at the 22nd Golden Melody Awards. This album featured lyrics, compositions, and arrangements mostly done by Matzka himself, combining elements of Paiwan indigenous songs, reggae, rock, and hip-hop, often referred to as “Taiwanese-style reggae.” Behind the humorous and satirical lyrics lay reflections on societal issues he observed, such as the loss of indigenous culture, discrimination against indigenous people in urban areas, and a historical episode involving marriages between Mainland Chinese veterans who arrived in Taiwan in 1949 and indigenous women, resulting in settlement in indigenous communities.
On December 29, 2015, Matzka released his first solo music album titled “Vu Vu Reggae (東南美).” In 2016, he was nominated for Best Mandarin Male Singer at the 27th Golden Melody Awards for this album. In 2023, Matzka returned to his roots by releasing his first album in the Paiwan indigenous language, titled “The Roots (cinevuan 7鄰86號).” The music style remains reggae, and the album captures the changes in his hometown, everyday interactions, and memories from his upbringing. “The Roots” received the Best Indigenous Album award at the 34th Golden Melody Awards.