The Matthews Baartmans conspiracy
The Matthews Baartmans Conspiracy
Biography
Singer songwriter Iain Matthews and guitarist/singer songwriter/producer BJ Baartmans met in 2003, shortly after the former had relocated to the south of Holland.
BJ was accompanying touring American singer songwriter, Eugene Ruffolo in a local music cafe and the two were introduced after the show. A mutual respect for each other’s talents developed and they have been playing and recording together more or less since then. Mostly in the all Dutch lineup of Matthews Southern Comfort, which they formed together in 2005. Releasing three albums and touring extensively throughout Europe.
It's a natural habitat for both musicians who each have a long and rich history in the music world, as a solo act or bandmember:
Matthews worked with ao Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong, More Than A Song.
Baartmans worked with a long list of Dutch and international acts like Moses Patrou, Suzy Ungerleider, Jeff Finlin, David Corley, Julian Dawson, Kerri Powers, Susan Cattaneo, Amy Speace and Cara Luft
Distant Chatter/Close Call
In 2021 The Mathews Baartmans Company recorded their first album titled Distant Chatter and it’s accompanying EP Close Call, both available since early 2022: a collection of rootsy americana songs with an adventurous, gritty and colorful side to it. Intruiging harmonies and ear catching hooklines. Lyrics that dig deep into personal feelings but also tell recognizable stories. Matthews and Baartmans refer to it as “an album that had no other option than to be made”.
It was an appropriate answer to Covid Blues and facing a future with lots of insecurities.
When things started opening up again, between November 2021 and the Spring of 2023, playing both new and old material, the pair could be seen on stages across Europe and Japan in support of their lockdown album.
September 2025: New music
After both focussing on other solo or band projects for a few years Matthews & Baartmans are now back with the Conspiracy. A number of single tracks will be released in the following months, starting with the song It Is What It Is. In March 2026 the duo is back on the road for a string of German and some Dutch dates.
Info and bookings:
Labels:
Talking Elephant Records (UK): www.talkingelephant.co.uk
MIG (Germany and The Continent): www.mig-music.de
Continental Record Services: www.continental.nl