Matthew Bair (born June 2, 1987),[1][2] known professionally as Matthew Koma and Bagel Man,[3] is an American songwriter and musician. Songs written by Koma include "Spectrum" and Grammy Award-winner "Clarity", both performed by Zedd. Koma has collaborated with artists such as Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Hardwell, Zedd, Miriam Bryant, Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso, Afrojack, Tiësto, Vicetone, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, and others.
Matthew Koma | |
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Koma in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthew Bair |
| Born | June 2, 1987 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | |
| Spouse | |
| Website | matthewkoma |
Early life
editHe was born on 2 June 1987. Koma was born in Brooklyn and raised in Seaford, New York, on Long Island.[4][2] His father, Gerald D. Bair, was a singer/songwriter and Koma first performed on stage with his father when he was four years old.[5] Koma wrote his first song when he was nine years old and credits Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen for his inspiration at a young age.[6] Koma attended Seaford High School.[7]
Musical career
editKoma signed to record on Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records in June 2011, after Iovine watched an acoustic performance of the record "She".[1] In May 2012, Koma released his first EP, Parachute, in which he wrote, produced and co-produced all four tracks with collaborators Twice as Nice, Alex da Kid, Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, and Ari Levine.[8] Koma provided the main vocals for the 2012 song "End of Pretend" by Black Cards,[9] and he co-produced a remix of the Bruce Springsteen song "Rocky Ground" with Ron Aniello, which Springsteen released on his album Wrecking Ball.[10]
In 2012, Koma joined the Sorry for Party Rocking Tour with LMFAO and Far East Movement,[11] He later toured with Owl City.[5]
In 2013, Koma toured Europe supporting Ellie Goulding alongside Charli XCX.[12], and he released the single "Dare You" with DJ Hardwell.[13]
In March 2014, Showtek's "Cannonball (Earthquake)", featuring Koma, was released.[14] Also in 2014, Koma appeared on RAC's debut album, featuring on the single "Cheap Sunglasses,[15] and was featured on Audien's single "Serotonin".[16] Afrojack's 2014 album Forget the World featured two songs written and sung by Koma, "Keep our Love Alive" and "Illuminate".[17]
In January 2015, Koma was featured in Kia Motors' online video series Rediscovered, where he recorded a cover of The Miracles' "The Tracks of My Tears" before Smokey Robinson made a surprise visit in the studio.[18] Koma collaborated with The Knocks on "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)", which was released as a single in September 2015 and later appeared on the Knocks' 2016 album, 55.[19]
In 2016, he worked with Britney Spears on her album Glory producing the song “Swimming in the Stars”, which was released in 2020.[20]
In 2017, Koma produced several tracks for Shania Twain's fifth studio album Now, including the lead single "Life's About to Get Good".[21] He also appeared on the 2017 Downes Braide Association album Skyscraper Souls.[22]
In 2018, Koma premiered "On the 5", both single and video under his new project, Winnetka Bowling League via RCA Records.[23]
In August 2020, he co-wrote and co-produced the single "Change Your Mind" by Keith Urban.[24]
Personal life
editKoma dated Carly Rae Jepsen from 2012 until 2015, after they met while working on her album Kiss.[25]
On May 9, 2019, he got engaged to Hilary Duff who was his girlfriend of two years, and they were married on December 21, 2019 at their home in Los Angeles.[26][27] They have three daughters.[27] He is also a stepfather to Duff's son from her previous marriage to ice hockey player Mike Comrie.[28]
In May 2017, he released "Dear Ana", a song about his anorexia and confessed that the disease almost killed him.[29]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMI Pop Awards | 2014 | Award-Winning Song | "Clarity" | Won | [30] |
| Billboard Music Awards | 2012 | Top Dance/Club Song | "Spectrum" | Won | [31] |
| International Dance Music Awards | 2013 | Best Progressive Track | "Years" | Nominated | [32] |
| 2016 | Best Dubstep/Drum & Bass Track | "Emotional" | Nominated | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2012 | Best Dance Video | "Spectrum" | Nominated |
Discography
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Gamboa, Glenn (July 27, 2011). "LI's Matthew Koma signs with major label". Newsday.
- ^ a b Pearce, James. "Matthew Koma Biography". AllMusic.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016.
- ^ Siwa, JoJo (July 23, 2024). "5 Things Hidden in the Guilty Pleasure Music Video - JoJo Siwa Now | Podcast on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Farley, Rebecca (June 8, 2018). "I'm Sorry, But Who Is Matthew Koma?". Refinery29.
- ^ a b "For Matthew Koma, collaborations carry him to top". USA Today. September 13, 2012.
- ^ Salud, April (November 27, 2017). "Matthew Koma Credits Bruce Springsteen & Elvis Costello for His 'Foundational Upbringing'". Billboard.
- ^ Gamboa, Glenn (June 27, 2017). "Matthew Koma has big homecoming at Coliseum". Newsday.
- ^ "Newcomer Matthew Koma to Release Four-Song Debut – Parachute EP – on Cherrytree/Darkchild/Interscope Records May 29th" (Press release). PR Newswire. May 16, 2012.
- ^ Greenwald, David (July 16, 2012). "New Song: Black Cards, 'End Of Pretend' Featuring Matthew Koma". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022.
- ^ Gamboa, Glenn (July 3, 2012). "Springsteen picks Koma remix for new single". Newsday.
- ^ Gamboa, Glenn (January 31, 2012). "Matthew Koma lands Cherrytree European tour slot". Newsday.
- ^ Robbins, Caryn (April 2, 2013). "Matthew Koma Premieres 'One Night' Video Today". BroadwayWorld.
- ^ "Hardwell Feat. Matthew Koma - 'Dare You' (Tiësto vs. Twoloud remix): New Music". Capital Xtra. February 2, 2014.
- ^ "Showtek – Cannonball (Earthquake) Lyrics". Genius. April 13, 2014.
- ^ Sawdey, Evan (June 4, 2014). "20 Questions: RAC + Matthew Koma (Video Premiere)". PopMatters.
- ^ Medved, Matt (May 29, 2014). "Code First Play: Audien & Matthew Koma, 'Serotonin'". Billboard.
- ^ Woodruff, Chase (May 22, 2014). "Afrojack: Forget the World Review". Paste.
- ^ "Premiere: Watch Matthew Koma Meet Smokey Robinson, Cover 'Tracks of My Tears'". Billboard. January 12, 2015.
- ^ Carley, Brennan (September 25, 2015). "The Knocks Dream Big With Matthew Koma On 'I Wish (My Taylor Swift)'". Spin.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (December 2, 2020). "Hear Britney Spears' Previously Unreleased Track 'Swimming in the Stars'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Freeman, Jon (June 14, 2017). "Hear Shania Twain's Optimistic New Song 'Life's About to Get Good'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Downes Braide Association: Skyscraper Souls". November 16, 2017.
- ^ Gamboa, Glenn (September 9, 2018). "LI Sound: Seaford's Matthew Koma returns to his rock roots". Newsday.
- ^ "New Keith Urban" – via Instagram.
- ^ GUNN, TAMANTHA (July 29, 2022). "Hilary Duff Wins the "Early Pics" Couples Challenge With Photo of Matthew Koma and Ex Carly Rae Jepsen". E!.
- ^ Sinha, Charu (December 22, 2019). "Hilary Duff Goes Full Cinderella Story, Marries Matthew Koma". Vulture.com.
- ^ a b Stone, Natalie (December 22, 2019). "Hilary Duff Marries Matthew Koma at Their L.A. Home: 'It Was Small and Low-Key,' Source Says". People.
- ^ Calvario, Liz (November 12, 2019). "Hilary Duff's Fiancé Matthew Koma Gets the Sweetest Tattoo of Kids". Entertainment Tonight.
- ^ Nelson, Jeff (May 2, 2017). "Matthew Koma Says Coming to Terms with Anorexia Was a 'Living Hell': Hear the Haunting Song About His Eating Disorder". People.
- ^ "Stevie Nicks and Top Songwriters Honored at 62nd Annual BMI Pop Awards". Broadcast Music, Inc. May 14, 2014.
- ^ "Rock On The Net: 2012 Billboard Year-End Chart-Toppers". rockonthenet.com.
- ^ "WMC 2013, Day 3: IDMA". March 21, 2013.