[1] Mattias Schulstad was born near Stockholm, Sweden and began to play the guitar in Nacka Municipal Music School and at Södra Latins Gymnasium.

Schulstad's first major recital was at age 17 at the Stockholm International Guitar Festival, and he has appeared on Spanish television for Televisión Española,[2] and on radio in the United States for WQXR[3] and NPR.

[4][5] Schulstad's debut recording Invocación explores the music of Spanish composer Francisco Tárrega and his influences from Chopin, as well as his legacy through his students Miguel Llobet and Emilio Pujol.

It was chosen as CD of the Week by Classic FM, which calls Schulstad "brilliant", and Album of the Week by WQXR, which states Schulstad "has an innate feel for the music of Tárrega.” Gramophone magazine, named Invocación Gramophone 'Choice'; William Yeoman stating: “The playing throughout is refined, intelligent and highly musical; the tone, though never sweet, is fulsome and appealing.

Mattias Schulstad plays a guitar made by Ignacio Fleta e hijos from 1971, and uses strings by Albert Augustine; Regal trebles and Blue basses.