Linda Kitchen & Chantal de Fraga

As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music.

Linda Kitchen and Chantal de Fraga work at the family-owned and operated Maton Guitars in Melbourne carrying on the tradition of making and marketing handmade guitars started by their father and grandfather, Bill May, in 1946.

In this interview Linda and Chantal discuss the rise of Maton Guitars from a backyard operation to international exporter; the importance of collaborating with and supporting emerging and established artists; and their pride in maintaining Bill’s commitment to producing quality locally made guitars.

Interviewer: Jenny O’Meara

Location: Melbourne Room, Arts Centre Melbourne, 2017