Matt McLean

Matt McLean is a Filmmaker and Musician born and raisedin Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. Growing up alongside a generation of incredible artists from the Yolgnu Community, he developed a deep appreciation for storytelling and music from an early age.

In 2020, Matt co-founded the production company Aris & Grimes with Andrew Grimes of the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band. As the sole filmmaker, photographer, and co-owner of the company, Matt has led its creative direction from the beginning alongside Andrew Grimes.

The work of Aris & Grimes has been featured on major platforms including Triple J, Rage, ABC, SBS, NITV, and The Guardian. Their clients include organisations such as The MET, National Gallery of Victoria, King Stingray, Cotton On Foundation, Rolling Stone, Yolŋu Radio, and Yothu Yindi.

Matt is a key organiser and DOP for East Arnhem Live, a locally run collaborative music festival that was created after the success of its 2020 online series filmed byMatt. The festival is currently in its 5th Year and is a staple of the Northern Territories community benefit and Tourism.

In 2022, Matt’s film work was showcased live at the Sydney Opera House in Wanha! Journey to Arnhem—a musical and visual celebration of Yolŋu culture, the traditional custodians of his home in North East Arnhem Land.

In 2024, Matt won the Northern Territory Music Awards Hot Shots prize for his portrait of Andrew Gurruwiwi.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Matt is best known as the frontman and guitarist of the surf-punk band Mr Chrisy Mertas. Shortly after the release of their debut album Cookers Paradise, they won the Territory artists competition, landing them a spot at Bass in the Grass 2024, the Northern Territory’s premier music festival.

With the Aris & Grimes production suite behind him, Matt has developed into a skilled sound engineer. In 2025, he produced, recorded, mixed, mastered and played on two Albums. Mr Chrisy Mertas ‘So Far from Punk’ and Charity Selleck ‘Donations’

Through these releases, Matt's production has been aired on national radio, including Triple J’s Home and Hosed