Black Cab is an Australian electronic rock band Black Cab was formed in 2004. Black Cab’s sound has ranged from psychedelic kraut rock to driving electronica, often drawing inspiration from European and American culture of the ’70’s and ’80’s.
Black Cab’s debut album, Altamont Diary, a dark take on the Stones’ free concert at Altamont was released in 2004 to critical acclaim worldwide. Between 2006 and 2009 the band released the albums Jesus East (2006) and Call Signs (2009). Call Signs was shortlisted for the 2009 Australia Music Prize. The bands’ fourth album, Games of the XXI Olympiad was inspired by the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. In 2017 the band was commissioned to write and perform an alternative soundtrack to the 1988 manga classic, 'Akira' at Melbourne’s Astor Theatre with live taiko drums by Toshi Sakamoto. A subsequent album, Akira (明) inspired by classic Japanese sci-fi anime was released in July 2017. The band released their fourth LP, Rotsler’s Rules in 2023, and the band have been experimenting with the Unreal Engine gaming platform, releasing a single 'Non-Playable' featuring meta-human avatars of the band and their work was featured in the Ubisoft’s 2021 game release Riders Republic.
Black Cab headline regularly in Melbourne and the east coast of Australia, touring Europe in 2007. They have performed at the Sugar Mountain and Paradise festivals, Golden Plains, National Gallery of Victoria, Brisbane’s Gallery Of Modern Art, 2019’s Supersense Festival of the Ecstatic at the Melbourne Arts Centre, and 2021’s Dark Mofo festival in Hobart.
Mat Watson creates otherworldly sonic journeys through modular synthesisers and drums, blending Kosmische-inspired textures with dynamic rhythms. As the driving force behind solo projects Solar Cells and Other Places, his music spans experimental electronics, immersive sound worlds, and exploratory compositions.
His creative output extends to large-scale works and collaborations, including Ollie Olsen’s Taipan Tiger Girls, Underground Lovers Moda Discoteca, ESG, and Boredoms’ BoaDrum. Career highlights include composing and conducting the inaugural MESS Synthesiser Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and curating the acclaimed Heavy Spectra for Melbourne Music Week. With performances across Australia, Japan, the USA, and Europe, Watson’s work resonates on both local and international stages.