Quite a bit has modified within the dance music trade, and the world typically, since Norwegian producer/DJ Matoma final launched an album. Again then Matoma was using a wave of pop-adjacent tropical home music. Now, Matoma returns to his membership roots with Love for the Beat.
We obtained the prospect to have a pleasant chat with Matoma about his new album, staying related within the ever altering dance music trade, and his upcoming new ebook! Take a look at our interview beneath.
Thanks for chatting with us Tom. Inform us the way you first obtained into music and the way’d you initially break into the dance music trade?
“Entering into music, I began very early. I began enjoying the piano once I was seven years outdated and round 9 I actually needed to turn into a classical pianist, however then on the age of 16, I feel I had practiced a bit an excessive amount of. I felt lots of strain on myself, so I mentioned to my household, I mentioned to my dad and my mother, I actually need to take a break from the piano and possibly do different issues.
And my Dad, he actually felt honest, he was desperate to let me know I shouldn’t put music on the shelf, possibly I ought to do one thing else with music. So, he confirmed me a documentary about Stargate, two Norwegian dudes that moved to New York to pursue their producing dream.
And so they have produced with Beyonce, Rhianna, all the large names. So, he confirmed me a documentary about these two guys, and I instantly needed to begin producing music, and that was once I was 16 years outdated. And since then I’ve been making music. However the entire EDM, and extra like digital music scene, possibly once I was 23.”
Congratulations on Love for the Beat. It’s an ideal album, and in addition an ideal album title. Inform us how your music and manufacturing model has modified since your final album in 2018. How do you adapt to the consistently altering tastes in dance music whereas sustaining a signature sound?
“I feel as an artist it’s crucial to have a way of grounded-ness to your self, to your soul, make music that pleases your self, but in addition, evolve as an artist; over time if I make one track, I made it, I must make one thing new, contemporary. And, for me, after ‘One in a Million’ I actually felt desperate to make extra of the music that I grew up with. The extra danceable, extra trancey, extra progressive sound.
And ‘Sodium Sky’ got here from that, ‘Bittersweet’, ‘Break My Personal Coronary heart’, all of those information had been molded from my cabin, wanting on the Northern Lights. Being impressed by nature and being impressed by Norwegian folks music and melodies. I’ve actually tried to implement these parts into my dance songs and actually present folks my tradition, the music I grew up with.
Mix it into right this moment’s sound pushed with a brand new sort of combine and I actually felt it was the fitting second for me to precise myself. However, this yr, I’m so pumped, I’m so able to take the dance flooring and I truly performed a few new information right here tonight and so they actually popped off.”
Recent off the heels of a full album, what new music can followers anticipate from you in 2024?
“I feel relating to the music for 2024, 2023 for me was a really experimental yr, I went a bit darker, in myself, I needed to get lots of these emotions out. This yr, it’s all about reconnecting with the great vibes. Giving folks the Ibiza-summer vibe. And, once more a few the songs I teased right here tonight, was sort of that vibe. So, I’m actually excited and pumped about this yr. I’m not saying I’m going to make one of the best dance album of 2024, however I’m positive going to attempt to do it.”
How’s the tour been thus far in assist of the album? When was the final time you had been right here in Los Angeles? Any favourite eating places it’s important to go to if you’re right here?
“The mini-tour has been wonderful, we’ve completed New York, we did Chicago, we’ve completed San Francicso, it’s truly been eight months for the reason that final time I used to be right here. And the vibe was the identical, it was so good, I don’t know what it’s with LA crowds, however they’re simply so wonderful, simply one thing concerning the vibe right here.
Once I’m right here in LA I actually wish to eat Mexican, I really like Japanese, Ramen and Sushi, I actually do love Mediterranean, I feel LA has among the finest Mediterranean meals, like Shish kebab, shawarma, I really like the shawarma.“
I all the time wish to ask artists I interview if they’ve any ebook, streaming or podcast suggestions?
“So, I’m truly going to launch a ebook. In a month, March 1st, and it’s known as ‘By no means Good Sufficient’, so being a touring artist, for 10 years now, I’ve realized from lots of completely different experiences on the street. I’ve met so many various folks, skilled tales, inspirational tales, however issues that make you actually, actually recognize life. And, I feel the youth proper now, they want steerage. They’re so centered on what’s forward and what’s behind, however they don’t dwell within the now, and I feel it’s so vital for them to get centered on being current, listening to their coronary heart, listening to themselves, not listening to all the noise.
So, I’m truly writing a ebook which is 10 completely different tales about my life, in life-changing moments for me, crossroads the place I’ve needed to make massive choices, based mostly on my spirit, my soul. And, I need to share that, I hope that it may possibly resonate with the youthful technology right this moment and provides them some inspiration to imagine in themselves, to belief their very own inner-spirit and to look within the mirror and say, ‘I’m adequate.’“
Who’re some artists you’d wish to collab with sooner or later?
“I’d by no means say no to a Chris Martin collaboration, that may be sick. Or, Will Smith, take it again to Miami.”
Inform the followers on the market who didn’t make it what they missed tonight?
“You missed out on a celebration crammed with good vibes, all about spreading the love. What you may anticipate from me developing it’s all concerning the good vibes, bringing again these good sing alongside information the place you may sing, have a superb second, simply chill and loosen up. Matoma out.”
Take a look at Matoma’s newest studio album Love for the Beat, out now on Matoma’s label of the identical identify. Matoma nonetheless has a couple of extra North American dates on the Love for the Beat tour as properly.
Feb 21 – F Most cancers FSU – Tallahassee, FL
Feb 23 – TAO Chicago – Chicago, IL
Feb 24 – Harrah’s – Atlantic Metropolis, NJ
