ABOUT ME
MATTHEW ALMEIDA
I am a freelance writer and concept creator with 10 years of experience, who currently lives in Tokyo. I was, however, previously based in Luxembourg and Portugal. At some point, I also lived in Berlin for a brief while and attended Catalyst - The Institute for Creative Arts and Technology.
I got my first real professional experiences at the now sadly defunct UK/Luxembourg-based web publication Stay-Tuned Interviews. There, I started as a writer and journalist until eventually becoming Head Reviewer + Creative Director. During and after my time at the publication, I also accumulated myriad of experiences that include being part of music video and short film productions, organizing + being the creative director for a music festival, writing for several blogs, amongst many other things.
I do consider myself mostly a storyteller - be it via text or visually. I have been writing prose and coming up with concepts for stories, images and editorials ever since I was 8. It's in my blood and nothing can keep me from it. The reason I am here in Tokyo is exactly because of my passion for art. It took me five years of working and saving money to get to this amazing city, but I made it here.
Besides work, I spend most of my time being involved in the Tokyo art scene, watching moving pictures in a dark room, and continuously imagining weird creatures while inserting them into real-life places.
soft.age.expressions@gmail.com | IG: matthewalmeida11
Mission
My mission is simple and exists alongside my deepest desires: I want to create. But I want to create together with others. Whether that means working as a writer for your publication and believing in its voice + core messages. Or being part of your film project and delivering a story that moves one, ten, or thousands of people.
Before I exit life, I need to be sure that as many compelling stories have been told as possible. No matter if my own or if I lent my voice to the stories of others.
I'm hungry. I have enormous desire.
Vision
I came up with the words "soft age" about eleven years ago, and I immediately knew that these two words were to be mine. They perfectly captured a feeling that I knew described the brand of storytelling and visual language I personally enjoy the most. Whimsical and slightly innocent, but of depth and something mysteriously fascinating. Yet always with the potential for corruption within a suffocating and achingly beautiful gasp of longing.
I feel this is an accurate description of what I try to do with my work as well. I always include fantastical, beautiful imagery rooted in something relatable and enchanting, yet somehow this is always accompanied by the idea of blood and flesh too. Grotesque intimacy. Or violent saudade.
That said, I am a chameleon and love exploring. Love wearing different skins, so I am open to new ideas and explore them via my own voice. I always welcome a new challenge.
