Matt Williamson could well be one of the most prolific musicians Bathurst has ever produced, but his humble persona would never talk up his four-plus decades of insightful creativity.
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Williamson has been consistently writing music since 1975, with the diverse backdrop of the Bathurst region serving as inspiration for numerous songs.
Growing up in a musical family, Williamson first picked up the 'mouth organ' [harmonica] at the age of five.
"My grandfather was a great musician, my mother had an Associate in Music, Australia [AMusA] in piano, and my brother Greg had an incredible ear," he said.
"In contrast, my father, Jack Williamson, was the last surviving member of former prime minister Ben Chifley's cabinet and was a union rep for the Kandos cement works, who employed a number of migrant workers."
"I grew up with the sound of piano accordions and fiddles, before eventually moving to guitar after hearing Greg play and wanting to beat him at it."
Williamson began to find his sound in the 1960s through a love for psychedelic rock, in particular, The Beatles' groundbreaking 1966 record Revolver.
"It was 'Tomorrow Never Knows' that spoke to me the most on Revolver, it had this crazy psychedelic sound that steered me away from the mainstream," he said.
"Through this, I eventually discovered bands like The Kinks, Small Faces, Pretty Things and Can; the more experimental it was, the more I loved it."
As he grew up, Williamson began to shape his sound around the people he met and the stories he experienced as a resident of Bathurst.
"One of my favourite songs, 'Homeless', is about Chook Ovington, a particular character in town who found solace in alcohol to escape immense pain," he said.
"'Jessica Beth Small' is pretty self-explanatory; on one hand it's about the love of a mother for her daughter, but it also talks about how the town didn't embrace the 'missing girl' concept due to classism."
"Ricki [Small, Jessica's mother] always gives me a hug whenever I see her down the street, and I believe it was played in a British crime show."
Other songs written by Williamson include 'Loaded Man With a Gun' [about Operation Desert Storm], 'On Meeting the Wiradyuri' [about environmental desecration] and 'Deception', which was recently released as a single by Wollongong band Deceptive Bends.
He also contributed 'The Wollemi' to last year's charity album Dreaming of a Green Christmas, produced by Kris Schubert [The Safety of Life at Sea].
Williamson has collaborated with the likes of the late Anthony Smith [Icehouse], Steve Kilbey [The Church], and continues to collaborate with Bathurst 'eco-punks' 10th Man, predominantly Paul McIlwraith and Mat Hale.
But Williamson said his music pursuits may never have happened if it weren't for a traumatic experience in his late teens.
"I had a seizure in Canberra at the age of 18 and was placed in a crisis centre at the Australian National University," he said.
"While there, I dropped the low E string on my guitar to a D and never again played another cover song."
Through significant adversity such as a relationship breakdown and an ongoing battle with an over-analytical mind, Williamson continues to channel his sincere honesty into music.
"I simply describe the human condition, and it's always heartwarming to connect with like-minded people through song," he said.
Williamson's discography is available online from mattwilliamson2.bandcamp.com/music.