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Quick Facts
Biography
Matthew Bair (born June 2, 1987), known by his stage name Matthew Koma, is an American singer, songwriter, DJ and record producer. Matthew Koma wrote numerous hit songs, including Zedd's "Spectrum", and Grammy Award-winner "Clarity", also with Zedd.
Early life
Koma was born and raised in Seaford, New York, on Long Island. He attended Seaford High School. He is of Jewish heritage.
Musical career
Inspired by Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and Stephan Jenkins, Koma started his music career in punk rock, later transitioning into a mixture of genres ranging from pop and hip hop to EDM. Koma's early collaborations include work with Hardwell, Zedd, Miriam Bryant, Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso, Tiƫsto, Vicetone and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic.
Koma was noticed by Jimmy Iovine who signed him to Interscope Records after watching an acoustic performance of the record "She". He later released his first EP, Parachute, in May 2012, 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. Since then he has taken part in the Sorry For Party Rocking worldwide tour with LMFAO and Far East Movement, and later toured with the band Owl City. In March 2012, Bruce Springsteen released "Rocky Ground", a remix that Koma co-produced with Ron Aniello as a single from his album Wrecking Ball.
In 2012 Koma also did the main vocals for the song "End of Pretend" by Black Cards. The following spring, he toured Europe supporting Ellie Goulding alongside Charli XCX.
In 2014, Koma and DJ Hardwell released the single "Dare You", appeared on RAC's debut album, featuring on the single "Cheap Sunglasses". EDM star Audien's single "Serotonin", and on Showtek's "Cannonball (Earthquake)" which reached number one on the UK Dance Chart.
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.
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.
In 2017, Koma produced several tracks for Shania Twain's fifth studio album Now, including the lead single "Life's About to Get Good". He guests on the Downes Braide Association album Skyscraper Souls
In August 2018 he premiered "On the 5", both single and video under his new project, Winnetka Bowling League via RCA Records.
Personal life
Koma is married to Hilary Duff. They have a daughter together, Banks Violet Bair, who was born in 2018. He is also a stepfather to Duff's son, Luca Cruz Comrie, from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie. Koma considers Luca as his own child.
Awards and Nominations
Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BMI Pop Awards | 2014 | Award-Winning Song | "Clarity" | Won | |
Billboard Music Awards | 2012 | Top Dance/Club Song | "Spectrum" | Won | |
International Dance Music Awards | 2013 | Best Progressive Track | "Years" | Nominated | |
2016 | Best Dubstep/Drum & Bass Track | "Emotional" | Nominated | ||
MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2012 | Best Dance Video | "Spectrum" | Nominated |