Written by the B&B Crew
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 20:15
Q&A -
Toolroom Records have snapped up Matt Samuels, as its latest signing to release his debut album, Lost You. With Pete Tong and Eddie Halliwell already being noted fans, we caught five minutes with Matt to find out more…
Ever since his highly succesful rework of Depeche Mode 's Enjoy The Silence in 2008, Matt has been rocking it big among a still growing international audience. With Pete Tong, Mark Knight, Eddie Halliwell and Gareth Emery already supporting Matt's tunes, his debut album Lost You in Toolroom Records marks a new landmark in the career of this skilled artist. But perhaps it would be best to have Matt himself do the talking. Here we go.
Your new album is 13 tracks of tech, house, euphoric and dub step goodness. Where did you draw your inspiration from? A lot of it comes from listening to other DJs and producers music, I'm in to a lot of styles hence the mix of genres on the album. I also like to mix current trends together; I think 'Lost You' is a good example of doing that.
You collaborate with some fantastic vocalists on it – Joel Edwards and Ann Saunderson. How did this come about? Both of these came about through Toolroom. Like most people, I have always been a big fan of Joel and Ann's vocals so was delighted to hear they were happy to work on the tracks. I produced the tracks and sent them over to their studios where they put the vocals down, sent them back, and I laid them over the top. They really have taken those tracks to the next level.
What’s your favourite track on the album and what does it mean to you? 'Lost You' is my favourite track on the album. It blends the current sounding melodies that are about at the moment and as well as dub step which is huge at the moment too.
The track is named after my girlfriends’ dad who sadly passed away recently so it’s a track that means a lot. I also named the album after this track.
You production crosses genres, which is evident in the artists that have been playing your music such Eddie Halliwell, Mark Knight and Carl Cox. Do you set out to make genre crossing music or does it just happen? I do set out to do it yes, because of the genres I’m into. I like to write more techy tracks that will hopefully get support from Carl Cox etc., as well as the more melodic anthemic tracks that Mark Knight etc., will support too… I think it’s good to be accessible to all kinds of genres.
On Radio 1, Pete Tong has already aired ‘We Go’, which is track three on the album. How did you feel having someone that influential play your music? It’s amazing when the top DJs play your tracks, but when it’s someone like Pete Tong who plays it on Radio 1, you really do feel like its had that seal of approval. It’s always been a dream to have someone so influential play my tracks to millions on the radio. It’s such an amazing feeling as well as being a bit surreal at the same time!
Did you grow up wanting to be producer? No, I grew up wanting to be a DJ, which I started doing at 12 years old, but as I’ve got older and the industry has changed, you need to be a producer to be a DJ these days, so I got into that when I was 18. I love being in the studio as much as DJing, but you can’t beat the buzz of playing in front of a crowd.
How do you feel being a One To Watch in electronic music, do you feel pressure because of it? It’s great to be seen as 'one to watch', but I definitely do feel pressure because of it. I’ve always put pressure on myself as a producer and DJ to succeed something, which those close to me will know, but at the same time it’s good to have pressure as it keeps you on your toes and makes you try your best to succeed and be that bit better.
Either in or outside of dance music, who do you rate and who would you like to work with? Outside of dance music I would love to do something with a band like Coldplay, the melodies and lyrics they write are incredible! Inside dance music I’d like to work with someone like Example. I’m a big fan of his songs and productions; I think I could write a good track for him.
What gets your juices flowing when producing a record – is there a format that you follow? Just taking inspiration from other artist and tracks that I am into at the moment.
I tend to get a kick drum in place and sometimes some percussion and then write a melody and then baseline and then the rest of the track just flows.
Can you tell us what you’ve got coming up in 2012 that we should be looking out for? Hopefully a lot of gigs around the globe. I’d like to go on tour with the album to help increase my profile as an artist. There is going to be a vocal version of my track 'Lost You' that’s on the album, as well as lots more material for Toolroom including a track on their forthcomingMiamialbum, due out in March.
I'm going to do a few cheeky bootlegs forMiamiandIbizawhich I'm going to keep to myself and also hope to do some official remixing for some more established artists too.
Lost You by Matt Samuels is out on Toolroom Records. Beatport - 12.12.11, Worldwide - 18.12.11
Q&A - 
