He has sold millions of records worldwide, had a Christmas number one and now, The X Factor winner Matt Cardle has been recording new music in Suffolk.
The musician, who hails from Little Maplestead, near Halstead, has been in Bury St Edmunds’ St Mary’s Church to make music for his third album.
Working with his former music teacher from Stoke By Clare’s Stoke College, Adrian Marple, the duo have been recording the church’s pipe organ which dates back to the 15th century.
Matt said: “The first time I went to St Mary’s and heard the organ I was blown away, and genuinely moved by being so close to the console. It could create so many different moods from the really powerful to the intimate, quiet and reflective sounds.
“It was an amazing experience being able to move around the organ, and almost feeling the air vibrating.”
Matt won The X Factor in 2010, beating the chart-topping boy-band One Direction, who came third.
He added: “What I find incredible is the sheer number of pipes used in an instrument like this – each one plays its part in adding to the whole ensemble. It also sounds different depending on where you stand in the church, but close up you can really appreciate it in all its glory.”
The organ in St Mary’s has been in the church since 1467 and is used for concerts and weddings.
Organist Adrian Marple said it was a “great privilege” to have played on the album.
He said: “We have had such fun putting these songs together – I know that a church pipe organ has not been used many times before in music like this, but it really works.
“Matt is a supremely talented song-writer and musician and he can hear in his mind how he wants the final song to sound. There are not many musicians around these days who can do that.”
“After spending many years at school telling him what to do, it was great having him telling me what he wanted. Otherwise working with him was just like old times.”
The as-yet-untitled album is due to be released in October.
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