Matty J Ruys: Discovered K’Lee & Brooke Fraser, Named OMC, Then NZ Forgot Him

You might remember Matty J Ruys from his music in the ’90s.

Behind the scenes, he’s also helped shape the careers of artists including K’Lee, Brooke Fraser, Dei Hamo and Elemeno P.

Now he’s preparing to release his first solo album in 30 years, Beautiful Mess (It's out Friday November 6, 2026)

We talk about his tough upbringing, the brutal attack that left him with 7 years of seizures, fatherhood, loneliness, and the highs and heartbreaks of the music business - including his time managing Brooke Fraser.

There are some great laughs too: getting banned from the Parachute Christian music festival, appearing on a TV dating show Blind Date as a robot, and the reality of being famous in New Zealand while still catching the bus.

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