M. Haiux is the musical alter ego of Liverpool based primitive guitarist Matthew McPartlan. He uses minimalistic finger-picked guitar to create captivating melodic instrumentals loaded with emotional weight.

His debut solo album, ‘Summer Nights and Still Water’, was released on Hollow Gesture Records in August 2024. Much of the album, including the album title, was loosely based on the novel Pan by Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun.

“The book covers a lot of themes that resonated with me and I have tried to reflect this in the compositions. I did a lot of experimenting with different sounds and recording techniques until I got it right. I wanted it to sound like it was recorded in a wooden hut in the middle of a Norwegian forest as opposed to a bedroom in South Liverpool.”

The album has garnered critical acclaim, with The Quietus praising it for its innovative blend of traditional folk elements and a bold, anti-establishment ethos. The album features a mix of improvisations and structured compositions, recorded in the intimacy of his home.

His latest release, ‘The Cold Nights of Late December’, is a 5-track EP of acoustic instrumentals inspired by the festive period. Inspired by the timeless charm of Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas and the evocative Christmas albums by John Fahey, McPartlan has crafted a unique sound that blends nostalgia with his own distinctive style.

His music has been played on BBC6 Music, including shows like Riley & Coe, New Music Fix, Breakfast Show and Radcliffe & Maconie. He also performed an intimate session for Deb Grant, which was broadcast on her BBC6 Music show on Christmas Eve 2024.

His next full length album 'The Edge of Somewhere' will be released in Autumn 2025.