Singer-songwriter Matt Henshaw has had the best week of his career after his latest single outsold Ed Sheeran's.
Easier shot to number 12 in the iTunes singer-songwriter chart, while also peaking high in the Amazon and Google download charts.
It was up there with songs by the likes of Hozier, George Ezra and Gabrielle Aplin, temporarily rising above Photograph by Ed Sheeran and earning Matt messages of congratulations from Universal Records and indie band Ocean Colour Scene.
Matt, of Clarendon Park, Leicester, said: "It's just really great to have my song that high in the charts - to see my name next to those numbers.
"It's been a really nice surprise and it's been an amazing week."
Matt has spent the past year touring with his acoustic guitar through the British Isles and Western Europe.
For his next tour he's planning something even bigger.
He said: "The tour has been really great and the fact that people are now buying my songs and parting with their hard-earned cash shows that I've connected with people along the way.
"It's been a brilliant tour and I've played in England, Scotland, Wales, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
"I've done 300 shows in a year and it's been a lot of fun and a great adventure.
"For my next tour I'm having a backing band and we'll be performing as Matt Henshaw and the Peace, Love and Tea Band.
"So the single's success is a great start of the next year ahead of bigger shows."
Matt gave up his day job at the University of Leicester two years ago to become an independent artist on a shoestring budget, releasing music through his own label.
Earlier this year he won the Midlands Independent Music Award for Best Male Solo Singer/Songwriter and he said things were looking good for the future.
The video for Easier, which features Crufts champion dogs, Miss Leicestershire Holly Desai, and a VW campervan has gained more than 18,000 views online in just under a month.
Matt will be playing at The Cookie in High Street, Leicester, on October 3 and at the O2 Academy in University Road, Leicester, on December 18.
Ilkeston singer-songwriter Matt Henshaw has had a major breakthrough success with his single Easier charting at number 12 in the iTunes charts, fending off competition from the likes of Hozier, George Ezra and Gabrielle Aplin, and legends such as Tracy Chapman, Eva Cassidy and Simon & Garfunkel.
Yesterday (Thursday), he even outsold Ed Sheeran for a day.
Matt is an independent artist releasing music through his own label - Peace, Love & Tea Records - and won the Midlands Independent Music Award for Best Male Solo Singer/Songwriter earlier this year.
Operating on a shoestring budget, he has toured the country and did a stint over in Northern Europe in January and February, playing around 300 shows in a year demonstrating what talent, hard work and persistance can do, developing a loyal fanbase and crossing generational, genre and language barriers his music is proving ever more popular.
The video for the single - Easier - features Crufts Champion dogs, a beautiful VW campervan, Miss Leicestershire, Holly Desai, and future Olympic champion Northamptonshire and Team GB’s Lucy Hatton, and gained over 15,000 views in just under a month.
Matt’s music has caught the ear of BBC Introducing radio producers and DJs up and down the country, and 2016 looks like it could be shaping up to be a busy year.
He will be performing in the area this autumn. For more information of where you can see him and where you can download his single, or make a purchase from the Peace, Love & Tea Shop visit http://www.MattHenshaw.com
Ilkeston singer-songwriter Matt Henshaw has had a major breakthrough success with his single Easier charting at number 12 in the iTunes charts, fending off competition from the likes of Hozier, George Ezra and Gabrielle Aplin, and legends such as Tracy Chapman, Eva Cassidy and Simon & Garfunkel.
Yesterday (Thursday), he even outsold Ed Sheeran for a day.
Matt is an independent artist releasing music through his own label - Peace, Love & Tea Records - and won the Midlands Independent Music Award for Best Male Solo Singer/Songwriter earlier this year.
Operating on a shoestring budget, he has toured the country and did a stint over in Northern Europe in January and February, playing around 300 shows in a year demonstrating what talent, hard work and persistance can do, developing a loyal fanbase and crossing generational, genre and language barriers his music is proving ever more popular.
The video for the single - Easier - features Crufts Champion dogs, a beautiful VW campervan, Miss Leicestershire, Holly Desai, and future Olympic champion Northamptonshire and Team GB’s Lucy Hatton, and gained over 15,000 views in just under a month.
Matt’s music has caught the ear of BBC Introducing radio producers and DJs up and down the country, and 2016 looks like it could be shaping up to be a busy year.
He will be performing in the area this autumn. For more information of where you can see him and where you can download his single, or make a purchase from the Peace, Love & Tea Shop visit http://www.MattHenshaw.com
Matt is a singer songwriter who grew up in Ilkeston. His new single Easier is out today.
What are your hobbies?
I’ve made what most people would call a hobby or an interest into my full-time job, and despite contrary popular opinion, it is hard work. But I follow football as best I can, play when I’m asked, if I can, try not to fall over.
What is your favourite film?
The Godfather. I always say it. It’s the most perfect film ever made.
What is your biggest achievement in life?
I suppose making doing what I love into my job, and making it work. But in terms of awards there’s nice little glass statuette on the piano in my living room for Best Male Singer/Songwriter in the Midlands that I won earlier this year, that was nice.
What are your hopes for the future of this area?
I was in town for one of the bank holidays this summer and it is getting there. Hopefully when the train station arrives and the football team gets back up to where it should be and easily could be I think it will get better.
What is your favourite place to eat in Ilkeston ?
The Durham Ox was nice last time I was in there, I used to work in the Rutland Cottage, I’m sure they still do a good spread, and my mate Zee would probably tell me off if I don’t mention Patti House.
Where is your favourite local place to go on a day trip?
Quackers was an amazing little thing to have in Ilkeston, I hope something like that comes back, great for the kids to see and play with some animals. There’s loads of stuff to do in Ilson, swimming, woods, parks, not enough people have been to the museum.
What is your idea of a perfect Saturday night?
A few thousand people singing along to my new single. Anywhere in the world.
If you could change anything in Ilkeston what would it be?
A few of the buildings are a bit of an eyesore, Tesco and the Bowling Alley could do with scrubbing up or scrubbing off, but really a general attitude or mentality shift.
What will your epitaph say?
God Loves A Trier - Belief Is All - Matt Henshaw wrote some songs. To listen to Matt’s new song Easier visit matthenshaw.com
