Klawuta is the professional name of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Matthias Ledwinka. After years of touring and recording with a number of bands, the Austrian creator has left behind the life of a travelling musician. He has traded in the sticky floors, dirty backstage rooms and long road trips for a cozy home recording studio. Left to his own devices, Matthias has created a project mixing powerful emotional impact with keen Pop sensibilities.
“Swear” is the debut single and video from Klawuta, released worldwide to all major streaming services on May 27, 2021. For his first single, Ledwinka has teamed up with American singer/songwriter Jonah Matranga (Far, Gratitude, New End Original, Onelinedrawing). The two friends met years ago at a show in Vienna. In 2020, separated by an ocean and a pandemic, they worked remotely to compose and record “Swear,” a song directly inspired by the harsh realities of a most troubling year.
Musically “Swear” is a mid-tempo Indie Pop/Rock track with strong 90’s Alternative vibes. Wielding acoustic and electric guitars, melodic piano arpeggios and an airtight rhythm section, Klawuta weaves a rich tapestry of sound. Matthias and Jonah trade verses and share harmonies as they deliver poetic impressions of the pain and confusion people across the world have experienced over the past 18 months. The song’s excellent video brings that reality to life with images of normal people living through the isolation of 2020 and the violent reality of our troubled times.
Watch the powerful “Swear” video below. You can also hear the song on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. We had the opportunity to chat with Matthias Ledwinka about the new project, the past and the future. Check out his answers to our 8 questions. Follow the links at the end of this article to connect with Klawuta and all of the new music he has planned for the coming year.
8 Questions with Matthias Ledwinka (Klawuta)
Where are you from?
I’m from Austria, living with my wife and son in a small village in the countryside next to the Czech border.
How long have you been making music?
I started making music, when my brother made me join his band on drums. I was 15. (37 now)
I released my first album in High School, burned the CDs myself and sold them in school.
Who are the musicians involved in your project?
Klawuta is just me. I’m playing all the instruments myself and singing. I had a band called Sergeant Pluck Himself for 15 years, but it ended in 2018. Now I’m on my own, tinkering on songs in the studio. But I love to invite guests. So I got Jonah Matranga to collaborate for the first single “Swear”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
I’m a 90s kid. My brother got me into bands like Helmet, Girls against Boys, Fugazi and also FAR where Jonah Matranga was once singing and playing guitar. I met him in person in 2008 on a show he played in Vienna. During the pandemic year of 2020 I asked him via EMail if he wanted to join me on a track. He said yes and it has been an awesome journey to work on a song with one of my early idols. He and his bands had a big influence on my drumming, guitar-sounds, songwriting and singing.
What is your greatest non-musical influence?
I’m a photographer, graphic designer and videographer. That’s what I do for a living. But I don’t really differ between work and hobby. I do what I love. I made all the photos, artwork and video for Klawuta myself.
What inspired you to create this project?
I’m driven. I have to create. After my band Sergeant Pluck himself ended I took a break. But music soon forced its way out of my mind.
What are your plans for the future (musically)?
I am planning to release at least two more singles this year. I will work with other musicians for the upcoming tracks. So Klawuta will be a solo-thing but I always will invite guests at a certain point to spice up my tracks.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
My first intention for “Swear” was doing a piece about misuse of religious authority and power. That’s what my verse is about, also the chorus with the multiple possible meanings of “swear”. People trust their kids into the care of a religion, but persons in charge are not about the religious message at all but about their personal advantage and benefit. Jonah`s lyrics widened the topic for me to trauma and misuse of power in general. The things happening behind doors and windows. Traumata given from one generation to the next.
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