The Tallest Man on Earth

Kristian Matsson, aka the Tallest Man on Earth, is a 29-year-old songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden. The first recordings from the Tallest Man on Earth surfaced in 2006 via a self-titled EP released on the Swedish independent label Gravitation. Matsson followed this EP with his 2008 full length, Shallow Grave, an album that drew accolades from the likes of NPR and Pitchfork. Many in North America were introduced to the Tallest Man on Earth on a tour with Bon Iver, including a stop for two shows at the legendary New York City venue Town Hall. The Tallest Man on Earth was winning over audiences through powerful performances, taking the stage alone with his acoustic guitar and captivating the crowds night after night.  Fans continued to discover the Tallest Man on Earth through subsequent tours and word of mouth. In 2008 he visited KEXP’s studio in Seattle and in 2009 performed for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, which continued to help inform audiences. He was still touring without a publicist or a North American record label, but fans were devouring his stunning performances, both as real-life audience members and internet voyeurs, scouring the web for new fan videos of shows.  In early 2010 Matsson signed with U.S. record label Dead Oceans and announced the release of his sophomore album, The Wild Hunt. Once again, it was a record rooted in songwriting and a deep folk tradition, with Matsson’s wordplay and deft guitar work at the center. Praises for the Tallest Man on Earth continued to build, and throughout the tour in support of The Wild Hunt and the follow-up EP, Sometimes the Blues is Just A Passing Bird, the crowds grew in fervor and size. He sold out venues like Webster Hall in New York City, The Fillmore in San Francisco, Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London and took the stage at festivals like Coachella, Green Man, Roskilde, Pitchfork and Sasquatch. The Tallest Man on Earth toured the world, with sold-out shows in places like Australia and South Africa. The word continued to travel. He also performed “King of Spain” on the legendary Jools Holland show. Matsson spent the winter months of late 2011 and early 2012 in his home studio in Dalarna, recording  There’s No Leaving Now, his third full-length album. It’s another stunning set, and in support of this new album the Tallest Man on Earth is headlining two sold out shows at Town Hall, returning to the stage where he opened for Bon Iver and took some of the first steps of his journey. The Tallest Man on Earth will be touring in 2012 and 2013 in support of There’s No Leaving Now.