M. Haiux

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. Loosely inspired by Knut Hamsun’s 1894 novel Pan, the album channels the novel’s themes of solitude, nature and isolation  into a series of haunting acoustic vignettes.

McPartlan described his vision for the album as:

"Wanting it to soundlike it was recorded in a wooden hut in the middle of a Norwegian forest as opposed to a bedroom in South Liverpool."

This sense of place and mood permeates the record, which blends structured compositions with improvisational passages to create a meditative listening experience.

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. 

Following the success of his debut, M. Haiux released a seasonal EP titled The Cold Nights of Late December in November 2025. This five-track collection draws inspiration from the nostalgic warmth of Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas and the introspective winter works of John Fahey, blending festive motifs with McPartlan’s signature minimalist style. The EP showcases his ability to reinterpret familiar themes through a uniquely personal lens, offering a contemplative take on the holiday season.

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.

Before embarking on his solo career, he was a member of John Peel favourites Cranebuilders, who recorded several BBC Radio 1 sessions and performed across Europe and America. The band also supported acts such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Elbow, I Am Kloot, The Fall, and The Wedding Present.

His next full length album 'The Edge of Somewhere' will be released in early 2026.