Matthew Koma
Matthew Koma (born June 2, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ known for writing and singing on hits like “Clarity” and “Spectrum”. This article covers his early life, breakthrough collaborations, evolution with his band, personal life, and quotes.
Introduction
Matthew Koma (born Matthew Bair on June 2, 1987) is a multi-talented American artist: singer, songwriter, DJ, and record producer. He gained recognition through collaborations with electronic dance music (EDM) producers and has since expanded into more personal projects, including fronting a band. His work spans pop, punk, EDM, and beyond.
Early Life and Family
Matthew Koma was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Seaford, Long Island. Gerald D. Bair, is also a singer-songwriter, which exposed Matthew to music from a young age.
He first performed on stage with his father when he was about 4 years old. Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen.
He attended Seaford High School in Long Island.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough & EDM Collaborations
Matthew Koma first gained broad recognition through his collaborations with EDM producers. Some of his most successful contributions:
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“Spectrum” by Zedd — Koma provided vocals and co-wrote the track.
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“Clarity” by Zedd — Koma is credited as a co-writer; the song won a Grammy.
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He also worked with a number of prominent artists including Hardwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Alesso, Tiësto, Ryan Tedder (of OneRepublic), Afrojack, and more.
In 2011, he signed with Interscope Records.
In 2012, he released his first EP, Parachute, for which he wrote, produced, or co-produced all tracks.
Over the years, he contributed to songs such as “Find You” (another Zedd hit) and performed vocals on various EDM tracks.
He further diversified his collaborations, contributing to songs and production for Britney Spears, Shania Twain, The Knocks, and others.
Transition to Band & More Personal Work
In recent years, Koma formed or became part of the band Winnetka Bowling League (which includes his brother Kris Mazzarisi and Sam Beresford). Sha La La, was released May 31, 2024.
In interviews, Koma has said that with his band, he strives for a more personal, authentic voice rather than chasing purely commercial EDM hits.
Personal Life
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In May 2019, he became engaged to actress and singer Hilary Duff; the couple married on December 21, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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They have three daughters together.
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Additionally, Koma is stepfather to Hilary Duff’s son, Luca, from her previous marriage.
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In 2017, he released a song called “Dear Ana”, in which he opened up publicly about his struggle with anorexia—a condition he said nearly cost him his life.
Style, Influences & Artistic Identity
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Koma’s early influences include punk rock, rock, and introspective songwriting. Over time, he expanded into pop and electronic music.
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His appeal in EDM comes partly from blending emotional, lyrical songwriting with dance production.
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With his band, he seems to favor more organic instrumentation and storytelling rooted in personal experience.
Famous Quotes & Insights
Here are some insights and memorable statements from Matthew Koma:
“I feel like you get to try on a bunch of T-shirts before you pick the one you’re going to buy … now I know what color I definitely don’t want.”
On artistic identity:
“It feels really good to have a body that's a bit bigger … there’s a bit more for you to dig your teeth into.”
On what he writes about:
“I’m not really ready, or I don’t think I’ll ever be hungry to relate to an audience on fatherhood or being a great husband.”
These quotes reflect his desire for authenticity, his self-awareness, and his deliberate choices about what he shares through music.
Lessons from Matthew Koma’s Journey
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Versatility can open doors.
Koma started in genres like punk and rock, then successfully transitioned into pop and EDM. His flexibility as a writer, vocalist, producer, and collaborator has broadened his reach. -
Collaborations amplify talent.
By aligning with established names like Zedd and others, he gave his voice wider platforms, while contributing meaningful artistic input. -
Authenticity matters.
His turn toward band work and more personal writing shows a shift away from purely chart-driven output to something more enduring. -
Vulnerability can be strength.
His public acknowledgment of personal challenges (e.g. anorexia) gives fans a real human connection and helps reduce stigma. -
Timing and maturity bring clarity.
He’s intentionally choosing when to share parts of his life (like fatherhood) through art—demonstrating that not all personal topics need to be aired immediately for creative expression.
Conclusion
Matthew Koma’s career is a testament to talent combined with evolution: from songwriting prodigy in his youth to EDM collaborator to fronting his own band rooted in personal expression. His successes in both writing and performing showcase the power of being multifaceted in today’s music world.