9+1 Q&A with Matthew J.

What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

I liked the idea of being able to tell a story through sound. I started as a DJ and always approached my sets as if I was taking the crowd on a journey, or adventure, similar to a movie. I approach my records in a similar manner, but leaving interpretation up to the listener.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

“dopedrum” is a record I actually started a little over a year ago. It was at a time when politics in the US were becoming very divided between the parties. I found a sample of an old 70’s speech from the Vice President at the time addressing the young protestors of the Vietnam War and I thought it was ironic how similar the message was to the current political environment, so I made it a song. I saved the session as “dopedrum” randomly and it just stuck.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

Music-wise definitely Elton John and his writing partner Bernie Taupin. MK, Duke Dumont, and Ed Sheeran as well, but I could go on for days. Non-musically, My Parents, my Grandfather, Walt Disney, & Gary Vaynerchuk.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

I like to think I sound unique to others, I try to mix elements from house and deep house with elements of tech house. I love the piano so I incorporate that into almost all of my tracks as well. I would describe my music a very chill music, even the records like “dopedrum” and “Elevation Liftoff”. While they’re not “chill” per-say, I would still say they’re pretty chill.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

Albums – Elton John – Yellow Brick Road, Jay Z – The Blueprint & The Blueprint 2

Books – The Power of Now, The 48 Laws of Power, Chris Rock – Rock This

Movies – My Cousin Vinny, Star Wars – A New Hope, Jurassic Park

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

Definitely live. I don’t think there’s any feeling greater than seeing how people react to your music and what you’re playing. You can’t really explain it, but it’s only second to how I felt when I first met my newborn niece.

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

Haha, I can’t think of any that would be appropriate to publish.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I would say my cover of “Santeria” is probably the most unique. It’s a very different take on the song, and the singer that sang for me has this beautiful, folk sounding voice that I really loved. I thought the track also blended elements from a bunch of different genres, which I thought was pretty cool.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Yes, I have a bunch of new music coming out actually. The next record will be a cover of Above and Beyond’s “We’re All We Need”. It’s a really cool house cover I did with my friend Alexandra Izzo. She’s sang on a few of my previous records and just real cool and a lot of fun to record with.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

If you could collaborate with one living artist, who would it be?

Florence from Florence & the Machine. Her voice is crazy.

Photos credits: Sam Gregg (main), Manon Ouimet (2nd photo)

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

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