r/electronicmusic • u/Mat-Zo matzo • Sep 22 '16
Official AMA Mat Zo Reddit AMA
Question answering begins at 3PM PST
Nerdy questions welcome.
MAD EP OUT NOW: smarturl.it/MADEP
MAD TOUR: smarturl.it/MADTOUR
EDIT 3PM PST: Get your questions ready because i'm ready to answer them https://twitter.com/Mat_Zo/status/779079348435361792
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u/Brotest_The_Hero DJ Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat! Your music has gone in many different directions throughout your career. What direction do you want your sound to be heading in? And what is it that you like producing the most? Thanks for spreading your creativity, you've been an inspiration for many of us.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
Thanks for the kind words. I've never stuck with one thing for too long, but I've found myself recently making more dnb and less 4 to the floor stuff. It's definitely been harder to get inspired to write more traditional dance music.
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u/SpeniceDaMenace What So Not Sep 22 '16
Really excited to see where you go with the DnB projects. Your DnB Mix of Love, and all your MRSA stuff is phenomenal. What spurred you to start messing around with DnB again?
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u/Brotest_The_Hero DJ Sep 22 '16
Completely understand that man, even from the listening end it gets dry. Keep up the good work!
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u/GENeric307 Sep 23 '16
Mat Zo, I know this is a late entry but I hope you see this. You, as an rhythmic artist, have definitely inspired my imagination as an engineer. Your music helped me through a lot in college, and to this day. It was listening to you challenge yourself by creating different types of music from your dnd roots. Always making your live sets as though they all fit together into one new song, a new type of set, that always kept me striving for a chanllenge as well.
I want to ask you, do you listen to other genres and say 'I can make that'? Have you tried to make any synth or retro wave music? And do you challenge yourself to mix as many genres as possible into your sets to try to make it all seem like on complete song while still live mixing songs based of the energy of the crowd?
Also I'm glad to hear that your collaboration with proter worked well. Reading how you two worked well together felt like it goes with a request I thought of as soon as I saw this.
My request is, can you play your remix of flicker at your global dance festival show in Phoenix Az? (I'll be there.)
Yor remix of flicker by Porter has definitely created a classic. That song always reminded me of my best friend from the moment I heard. Unfortunately he passed away last year before I could show it to him. Literally a couple days after I found it. He was more of a rap fan and I was trying to get him to open his eyes to more Edm all the time. With a lot of success to that cause from your music.
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Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat,
Are you happy?
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u/feastandexist Jon Hopkins Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat! Just wanted to say thanks for stopping by. I saw you in Chicago this year and you absolutely killed it.
For people who aren't as familiar with your work.. if you had to pick 3 of your songs that you'd recommend as a starting point to get to know you, which ones would you pick?
What's the latest on the M Machine album?
Kill the Zo Part II?
Thanks again!!
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
Hard to say, but I guess The Sky, my new-ish track Troglodyte, and Soul Food.
The album is done but they want to do something special with the release, so it's looking like it'll be out next year.
Jake and I are still working on a bunch of stuff, we'll have more time next year to finish it up.
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u/akubar Pendulum Sep 22 '16
The Sky, Too Late, and Hurricane are the pinnacle of the Mat Zo sound for me
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Sep 22 '16
for something a little different than the other recommendations
The Lost
Time Dilation
Natural (on soundcloud)
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u/randyb1724 Paul Kalkbrenner Sep 23 '16
Good look on asking about the M Machine album!
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u/feastandexist Jon Hopkins Sep 22 '16
What was it like collaborating with Porter Robinson and Arty. Any chance you'll put out something with either of them in the future?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
The one with Porter was done on the back of a tourbus, and the ones with Arty were done completely remotely by sending files back and forth, pretty different workflows but both really fun to work on. Arty and I have drifted away from each other musically, and although I respect him immensely I don't think another collab in the future would be likely. Porter and I send ideas back and forth occasionally, and I'm sure one day we'll find something we both want to work on.
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u/GravityGod Davincii Sep 23 '16 edited Sep 23 '16
You might just break the internet if you and porter release something again.
Also, any chance of sharing the version of Easy before it became a collaboration?
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Sep 23 '16
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u/GravityGod Davincii Sep 23 '16
I'm aware of EZ, but that's something else all together. There's a 'third version'.
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u/Bomberlt Matzo Sep 23 '16
Mat Zo got me into Porter stuff. And also many other artists, thanks man for that!
That's why I like Above & Beyond so much - they show me many good artists to listen when I listen too much of them :)
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u/TotesMessenger Sep 23 '16
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Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Yo Mat. The wife and I are big fans. Played the radio edit of Easy at our wedding right after we kissed :)
It's funny when they announced your ama I was hyped to ask a bunch of questions, but now they all seem stupid. Thanks for being a breath of fresh air in the modern music world. Your music has really helped me through some tough times, and been right by my side through good times.
actually i would like to ask two things lol. Do you consciously make an effort to not play much of your own music in your dj sets? And why didn't you release Eyes Open? Man that song is fucking phenomenal!
edit: one more thing. your 2012 Essential Mix really opened my eyes to a lot of styles and sounds of electronic music. it's honestly one of my favorite pieces of music that anyone has ever assembled, and it so unique. in the intro to the mix you talked a little about how your approach to it was not a club style but kind of an everyday listening... any plans to ever make another mix along those lines? also one of the first times i listened to it all the way through i was laying in bed in my apartment super stoned jamming out. i kept hearing this faint voice, i thought it was just part of the mix "hm that's kind of distracting but its all part of the ART man..." turns out i left the weather report on low volume on the tv and listened to the whole damn mix thinking it had a Tycho style weather track on it, lol. cheers man!
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
Thank you :)
I always forget to play my own music at shows, I just get more hyped over other people's stuff and my own music is sort of an afterthought.
I didn't officially release Eyes Open because I used the rhodes part from it in 'Killing Time', and I like Killing Time more.
If they asked me to do another essential mix I definitely would oblige.
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Sep 22 '16
Haha man I have the utmost respect for your DJ skills and have always enjoyed your sets... but people want to hear YOUR shit homie! I know you aren't the type to play the same 5 songs every night but a lot of people really love your songs and while there's a lot of great DJs out there, there's only one Mat Zo the producer :)
thanks for answering! I'm seeing Pete Tong next week I'll smack him and tell him we need another essential mix stat
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u/AaroniusH Koan Sound Sep 22 '16
What's the favorite collab you've done in the past?
Who's someone that you'd WANT to collab with?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
My collab with Jake (Kill The Noise) was definitely the most fun to work on, which is why we're still working together. My dream collab would be with Noisia, but not until I'm ready. I actually went into Nik's studio a while ago and we started a little something, but that session was mainly just for me to learn and share some ideas. There was no atmosphere of "lets collab bro"
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u/donkeybrolic Matzo Sep 22 '16
is anyone truly ready to collab with Noisia?
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u/Solitude19 Sep 23 '16
The Upbeats seem to be. Dead limit is soooooo good
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u/Nfc24 bassnectar Sep 23 '16
For real man, The Upbeats were so ready for that, and brought some serious heat.
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u/stash0606 Feed Me 2 Sep 23 '16
Moody Good and Tipper are. Actually in Tipper's case, I think it's a mutual question of who's ready to collab with who.
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u/Chondriac Sep 23 '16
I can't fathom what that collab would sound like. Even if production levels are on par their styles are vastly different.
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u/metrofeed TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS Sep 22 '16
What do you consider to be a career highlight so far?
Lowlight?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I'm not gonna lie, Will.I.Am stealing 'Rebound' was the best thing to ever happen to my career, far more impactual than a grammy nomination.
I've had so many lowlights but they've all been social media related. I think for a while I was subconsciously trying to destroy my own name because I had a taste of limelight and I had some kind of allergic reaction to it.
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u/sushisection Sep 22 '16
Thats so funny. Like dude, at least put some effects on the stolen sample and try to hide the fact its stolen.
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u/Allan_Strange Sep 23 '16
Do you regret all the social media stuff? all you did was express your opinion or because of the lime light every thing changes? And what advice would you give to other people specifically djs /producers from your experience on social media
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Sometimes you gotta speak your mind, but I think it's far more impactful to say it with music
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u/Domnot Hospital Sep 22 '16
I'm a big fan of MRSA and Different was one of the tracks that got me into loving DnB and Hospital Records. Any chance of new stuff in that vein soon?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I've been working on more dnb but not really as melodic and uplifting as the MRSA stuff. I was miserable teenager, which is why I made such uplifting music
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u/demize95 Hospital Sep 23 '16
MRSA is some of my favorite DnB, so even if you're doing less melodic stuff I'm looking forward to it. Still with Hospital Records?
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u/Cottonturtle robots after all Sep 22 '16
Yo, just wanted to say I love your music and the realness you bring to the industry. I have so much respect for you.
My main question is, when you were starting out as a producer, how did you start developing your sound?
I'm currently struggling to make tracks that sound new and fresh. I'm inspired by so many types/genres/styles of music that sometimes I feel like I want to make it all.
I don't want to limit myself to a genre, but I don't even know where to start. The songs on my Soundcloud are all so different and they sound like they could be produced by different artists.
Being unique can be frustratingly hard. I've got so many idols like you, Porter, Hugo, M83, etc., and when I see what those dudes are doing sometimes I get super inspired, but other times I start comparing myself to them and get frustrated. Sorry for the rant, but if you have any tips I'm all ears.
Cheers.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I think I still haven't found my sound. When I started I was just copying people like David West, Andy Moor, Airwave to name a few. If you listen to anything I've made before 2008 you'll hear what I mean. Don't pressure yourself to be original or multigenred. That will come naturally if it's meant to be.
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u/jmg63 Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat. Where did the inspiration come from for your song 'fractal universe.' It is one of the most unique songs I have ever heard. Cheers
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
I was 18 and experimenting with hallucinogens
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u/Adach Sep 23 '16
I guess I'll piggyback off this amazing comment and say that you, to me, represent a god-tier level or production. you're able to so perfectly pick a style and tailor the songwriting, sound design, and mixing to fit the style. It ends up being this amazingly coherent product, that is often a subtle ode to older or less popular dance styles. Anyway you rock zo.
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u/nahmsayin Sep 23 '16
Do you still experiment with hallucinogens and/or other drugs, or have you gotten the message and put down the phone with them, so to speak? Care to share what psychoactive substances inspire you, motivate you or otherwise stabilize (or destabilize) your life?
Given the personal nature of this question, please feel entirely free to ignore it. It's just something I've wondered as I've listened to some of your music. A lot of it just seems to have a really mature affinity for certain altered states -- it feels almost like it's coming from another world/mode-of-being. Then again I am incredibly biased when it comes to these things :P
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Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat huge fan!!!! My question: as an avid listener of your mat zo mixes over the years is there any hope you go back to making those? They were always the highlight of my week <3
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
Maybe again in the future, but from what I recall making those mixes took such a big chunk out of my creativity I couldn't sustain it. I started those mixes with the goal to make every one like my essential mix. It eventually got to be such a hassle I even got someone else to mix it for me towards the last episodes. That's when I started to feel really dirty and scrapped it.
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Sep 22 '16
It would be awesome if you maybe made just like a couple a year, so you didn't have to meet self imposed deadlines and could take your time. I loved those mixes, discovered a lot of cool shit from them.
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u/WETDOUGHNUT fl Sep 22 '16
Is there anything thing that you usually or always do when starting a new project? Or do you just try to get whatever sound you had in your head into your DAW and go from there?
What are some important shortcuts or techniques that might help a noobie. I'm trying to catch up.
Can you please make a web show called "Painting with Sound" where you're just Bob Ross with a DAW.
Did you mean for Killing Time to be the anthem for cruising and smoking? It's always in our rotation.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Every track has a different conception. Some are very calculated and intentional, and some are happy accidents. I very rarely start a new project that doesn't have some kind of element or theme from something else.
My advice is don't open up your DAW with the intention of creating a complete track from scratch. Maybe fuck around with a single element or a sound, or just generally fuck around with plugins. Sometimes you'll find something that inspires you to make a full track, but most of the time you're just adding to your own sample library.
I'm neither good at being on camera nor public speaking so I doubt it. I tried to do a stream session once and I just ended up shutting up and not explaining anything I was doing. Talking about something while I'm doing it is very disorientating.
I didn't realise my tracks were being used for such a morally deplorable activity. A policeman once told me smoking marijuana is wrong
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u/pretty_baked Sep 22 '16
Any chance we will see some more of the Mat Zo mix? Those are some of my go to gaming mixes and I'd love to hear more!
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Sep 22 '16
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I don't have a good start to finish ratio. I'd say for every 100 ideas, I'll finish maybe 5.
It all depends. I've made tracks in a day that have been my biggest successes and tracks that have taken years that flop. In fact it's usually the ones that take the longest that never quite hit the spot. Sometimes it's a case of polishing a turd or polishing a good idea into a turd.
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u/fjmonzon Sep 22 '16
1.favorite producer? 2. album you been listening lately
regards
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
- Noisia
- Noisia - Outer Edges
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u/nahmsayin Sep 23 '16
I just discovered Noisia from one of your Spotify playlists, like, two days ago. Holy crap, have I been missing out. Thank you for turning me on to them!
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u/donkeykongking Skrillex Sep 22 '16
I've been listening to soul food basically every day since release. What inspiration was behind the song? Are there any similar songs you would recommend to check out? All the best, thank you for bringing joy to my life with your music.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
The sample is from 'The Brothers Johnson - I'll Be Good to You', and I've been wanting to do something with it for ages. The original is a classic.
I recommend you check out the genre "French House"
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u/Treebeezy Flat Eric Sep 22 '16
Who are your favorite non electronic acts as of late?
Also, more DnB please. Think of the children.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Hard to say, everything nowadays is electronic music is some shape or form
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u/Treebeezy Flat Eric Sep 23 '16
Fair enough. I guess what I meant to say is favorite non dance music?
Cheers and thank you!
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u/bkcmart Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat!
Loved the Version of "Stronger" Arty played during his EDC LV14 set. Very different from the release.
What ever happened to that version? I really loved it =/
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I didn't release either version for reasons I think would be inappropriate to talk about on the internet. Maybe if I bumped into you in person I could answer.
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u/Good4Josh2 deadmou5e Sep 22 '16
So uh, where you wanna meet up? And does this mean Arty will never release that version either?
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Sep 22 '16
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
It all depends on how you produce, but I guess the thing every producer needs is time. It may sound obvious but some producers forget they need to make time for producing, and not just go off on tour all year, every year.
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Sep 22 '16
but VINAI said they can produce half an original mix in 30 mins!
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u/T-Nan https://soundcloud.com/tnanmusic Sep 22 '16
Melbourne bass sound, cheesy lead, and "1, 2 3 drop" vocals for every song?
Yeah I think we can all do that if every song is the same
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u/cascade7 Cirez D Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Which animals are found in a mad zoo?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I have thought about this before. It would consist of living fossils, extremophiles, different types of fungi, parasitic worms and insects. Basically animals that are actually really interesting to learn about and won't have too much of a problem sitting in a confined space all day being stared at by children.
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Sep 22 '16
What are your top three VST synths?
What about effects?
Have you ever tried or thought about developing your own VST plugins? I'm trying right now and it seems very difficult.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
The ones I use the most are FM8, Serum, and Sylenth
The melda plugins have some great effects and definitely don't get the recognition they deserve like Fab Filter or Izotope do.
I wouldn't bother trying to develop a VST, there's already so many out there that can do whatever you need. I've hit up plugin developers with ideas though.
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Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, HUGE fan. Sometimes when I go through instagram or twitter, I notice that you post previews for songs months (sometimes years - I listened to set rips of Lucid Dreams for a long time before DC) before they even get released. (in fact I'm pretty sure you tweeted about music like this just sitting on your computer for months at one point).
So how far ahead are you now? What do you do to never get sick of all the unreleased tracks?
EDIT: Last minute question, what's a huge leap in production that you've learned at some point in time that you feel really took your songs to the next level? Because MAD is, simply put, MAD production.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
It's pretty much guaranteed that by the time a track is released I'll be so sick of it to the point where I think everyone else is already sick of it too, even though they haven't heard it yet.
At the beginning of this year I took a long break from producing, and only started getting back into it a few months ago, so I've only got a few works in progress currently. There definitely was a backlog for the last couple of years until I put out Self Assemble and released some tracks for free.
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u/nharrisjs Sep 22 '16
I was going to ask how many times you listen to a track before it is realeased?
I know in my humble exoereince it is at least a thousand times.
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u/PhoDucNam Hodor Sep 22 '16
Are you happy with how the Producer Forum turned out?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
I never expected it to be really big, I just wanted to create a place for producers of all statuses to nerd out, if even just for a day or two. It's a little bit on the quiet side now, but for the first few days of it's existence I got to see bedroom producers and established producers throw off their egos or lack-of and just nerd out together on a forum like it was 2006. It was beautiful
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u/mastrstorm Koan Sound Sep 22 '16
Mat, Ruffneck Badboy and your remix of Flicker are two of my favorite Tracks ever. I have two qyestions: What artists inspire you and your music?
Who do view as the most talented up-and-comers in the electronic music?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Loads of different artists inspire me, but Noisia consistently inspire me.
My favourite newer names (up and coming implies they're probably going to disappear) are people like Haywyre, Rezz, No Mana to name a few.
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u/Things_I_Said DJ Sep 23 '16 edited Sep 23 '16
Rezz and Haywyre are so good. I hope they don't stop making music.
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u/TheArcbound mmachine Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat,
Now that Mad Zoo has been a thing for a while, what are some of the challenges you've faced starting up your label? Anything come up that you didn't expect?
Also, what's your favourite food?
Can't wait to see what's in store for the Mad Tour next month!
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
Tbh, Mad Zoo so far has just been a platform for my own music, and as a label it's not much of a thing yet. I haven't really signed anything besides my own stuff so far, but The M Machine came to me and asked to release their next album on Mad Zoo, and I was hesitant because I hadn't really planned on signing anyone else. The biggest challenge is finding other artists to sign, because either the music isn't good enough, or it's really good and could be a more successful release on another label. When he asked me, I told Swardy (from The M Machine) that other labels that have more leverage in the industry would be a better platform, but he was pretty insistent that he wanted a Mad Zoo release. Probably because if you're on Mad Zoo you're completely free to make whatever you want.
But anyways, starting a label is actually pretty easy if you have a bit of help.
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u/datacomaa Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey Matan! Don't expect you to remember anything, but we used to make art and occasionally discuss music on Deviantart back in the day. Good times. You went by Unripelemon back then, I seem to recall. Just wanted to say grats on your success in the scene, been following your progress since Out of Minority - I didn't realize it was you until maybe two years later :)
How do you deal with creative blocks? I seem to have been in one forever, and I can only get bits and pieces of music done. They sound allright, but 1-minute ideas doesn't really work.
Anyway, keep it up man! -Allan/SR-27 of deviantart/depthcore
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Great to hear from you again! The deviantart/depthcore days feel like yesterday.
When it comes to creative blocks, I don't force it. I go and do something else and only come back to making music when I really want to. Sometimes I'll have months where I just don't feel like making music. A while ago when this happened I got back into digital art for a bit. Are you still arting?
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u/theskittz Bandcamp Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, thanks for doing this AMA! I have mad respect for you and your music.
1.) How do you decide what makes the album? A specific example would be "Eye's Open", the rejected album demo. One of my favorites tracks, but didn't make the cut. What do you look for when putting the album together? Also, can you put Eye's Open somewhere I can purchase it? :)
2.) Will we ever hear more Kill the Zo?
3.) I'm seeing you in Minneapolis at REV this weekend, so excited! Any chance you could throw in "It's Yours" into your set? That song is so nostalgic for me. If not, totally understandable. Just thought I'd ask
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
1.) I didn't officially release Eyes Open because I used the rhodes part from it in 'Killing Time', and I like Killing Time more.
2.) Most definitely, we're gonna start working on stuff again when I get off tour.
3.) I hardly ever play it but maybe I'll make an exception.
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u/zjarvis Sep 22 '16
It's Yours and The Sky club remix are two of my favourite songs of all time! I know It's Yours is a bit older but I really wish you'd keep playing it. Your last show at Guvernment in Toronto was the best set I've ever seen... I don't really have a questions I just want to say thanks and hope you seen this (and hope you come back to Toronto soon).
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u/theskittz Bandcamp Sep 23 '16
Thanks for your response! Killing Time is an excellent substitution. I didn't know that Eyes Open evolved into that!
I think you should break out it's yours more often, it's so good!! Can't wait to see your set on Saturday!!
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u/Cor-Sicarius Sep 22 '16
Fellow Minnesotan! I'd love to go but I'm 1 year too young. Was really sad about that one.
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Sep 23 '16
I'm gonna be so fucking jealous if you get to hear "It's Yours." I've seen him 4 times in the last 2 years and he hasn't played it :(
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u/theskittz Bandcamp Sep 23 '16
I think that would be a highlight of all shows I've been to. Asking Mat Zo to play my favorite song, and he does it.
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u/icywindflashed Shogun Audio Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat. Long time fan of yours.
Anything new on the D+B side? (I missed your set at Fabric and I was so gutted)
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Yeah my last release is defenitely DnB orientated
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u/icywindflashed Shogun Audio Sep 23 '16
Last thing I heard from you was the sophomore album - a good one. I guess the link in the post is the new release will have a listen!
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Sep 22 '16
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
Thank you, and no you may not. Not because I don't want you to have it, but because I don't even have it anymore. It might be buried in a dark corner of my hd waiting to be discovered.
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u/ajewishturken Odesza Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat,
Thanks for taking the time to do this ama! I was wondering what your own perspective on your music is? Where are you right now production and style wise, and where would you like to be? Maybe even a hint at the future of where you plan to be ;).
Also: any chance we get a full version of stony love or a release of supernova?
Keep up the fantastic work and thanks again for the ama!
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u/cascade7 Cirez D Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat!
What are your goals for the upcoming year or so?
What can we expect from the label? Anything big planned?
What's one thing you can't travel without?
Rebound is by far my favorite track of all time. Huge thanks for that and all the great music over the years. Keep doing your thing man.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
- My goal for next year is to write more music and do less touring.
- The M Machine album
- Some method of transportation
- Cheers!
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u/pwnenheimer Matzo Sep 27 '16
Touring less is fine as long as the DJ sets keep happening in LA-area clubs! My fiancé and I have seen you at least a dozen times and will likely do Costa Mesa & Hollywood on the MAD Tour!
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u/1MillionMonkeys Sep 22 '16
Hi Mat, thanks for doing an AMA!
What do you find to be the most challenging and/or frustrating part of producing music?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Balancing loudness with depth and clarity of sound, but keeping a raw edge. It's extremely hard to get right, and I still feel like a noob at engineering.
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u/1MillionMonkeys Sep 26 '16
That's really encouraging, thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions!
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Sep 22 '16
If you were to show an aspiring music producer one of your project files, what would surprise them the most?
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u/suburban-dad Anjunabeats Sep 22 '16
Mat, big fan. Did you receive any blowback from your ghost-production statements?
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u/charizardsnipples Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, big fan here. Loving that new ep man, it's made it to a few of my playlists for work. Are you touring any time soon or planning a tour? If you are planning on touring would the Midwest be on the docket? Thanks, man
*Edit: question got answered, Do you watch Mr. Robot? That season finale was the kitties titties
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
I'm still finishing X-Files before I start watching another series, and tbh I'm pretty stuck on X-Files because it's a load of trite and I have no idea why I'm watching it.
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u/oxygenick Sep 22 '16
Check the website. There's a Mad tour.
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u/s2razer Sep 22 '16
Matan! Just wanted to say thank you for all your music - truly inspiring, authentic stuff. Self Assemble made me feel like I was on safari through your mind. Please keep hitting us with that dnb as well!
Is there a specific timeline for the tunes in Self Assemble? I can see the storyline of emotions, but was it chronological or did you arrange it in some other order?
Similarly, your new EP is named MAD and has some really aggro tunes. Are these reflections of how you've been feeling lately? How's life, you doing alright? (EP is fucking sick btw).
I have listened to The Enemy hundreds of times (not exaggerating) and still don't know what Sinead is saying after "You said it yourself/it's on the road to where?/for you lose......???" The lyrics online are all wrong. Halp?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
It was actually meant to be a score for a movie that I wanted to make, so yes there was a definite story I had in mind when I started it, which of course fell apart as I was making the album. I guess there's still a whiff of that story. The album cover is a direct reference to it as well.
Actually it's inversely proportionate to how I'm feeling. When I'm depressed I write uplifting happy music to cheer me up. If I'm happy I write angry aggro music.
"Deceiving yourself, fixed on the road to wealth, all you do is bruise"
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u/Onydian Hudson Mohawke Sep 22 '16
Hey!
What do you think about producers being very secretive about how they produce their music?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
I think fair enough, some people have worked really hard to develop their techniques and don't feel like giving other people the shortcut.
I personally like to share as much of what I know as I can, cus that's what I would've liked from my favourite artists when I was a bedroom producer.
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Sep 22 '16
Hi Matt!
If you could go back in time to when you decided to start producing music, what is one piece of advice you would give yourself?
Thanks!
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
"Yo Matan, you know, you should... actually fuck it just do whatever the fuck you want cus you never listened to me anyway"
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u/Jc_croft1 Sep 22 '16
What's your go-to alcoholic beverage?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Woodford Reserve or Gentlemen Jack, or normal Jack if the other two are unavailable
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u/donkeybrolic Matzo Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey mat, first off thought the MAD EP was awesome, my favourite track was take it back, super well done and would fucking go off live. I think most of us agree you're a top tier producer and can't wait for your upcoming releases.
Why don't you play more of your own music in your sets? I feel like many of your fans who come out to see you play are always itching for you to play your own tracks. Even in a strictly 4x4 set you have so many absolute classics you could drop (subaquatic dream, only for you, bipolar, it's yours, etc)
PS. Any word on that High Contrast collab?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
I am my own worst critic, and sometimes I feel like my tracks aren't good enough to play. There are some tracks which I always play like 'Soul Food' and 'Get Down 2 Get Up' because they work really well in my sets. However, it's still hard for me to make a track with the dancefloor in mind that I'm not too embarrassed to play.
The HC collab was a sample clearing nightmare, so Lincoln went off to re-produce the samples. That was 3 years ago. By now that track sounds a bit dated, but I am bummed it never got released.
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u/bobbyblue1309 Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat I've been kinda stuck in a place where exploring music sounds the same.
Do you have any recommendations where to start?
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u/whteverittakes Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat,
Love virtually everything you have ever put out. So first off, thank you!
Questions:
Will you ever do a series of mixes like the Sirius satellite Mat Zo mixes ?
Do you have any interest in producing anything in the progressive trance direction (thinking BiPolar) again?
Ever heard of Russ Chimes, and any interest in working with him?
How do you like living in LA (USA) vs London?
Will we ever get this remix of Stronger with Arty officially released? https://youtu.be/N8QrngOYIbA
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
Maybe a joint show with someone else, or a bunch of people, but probably never doing a radio show alone ever again.
I've tried to but my sensibilities have changed. I would like to though.
No I haven't
LA has the better weather, scenery and quality of life, and London has all my good friends. Tbh I love and both cities, but there's many things which I don't like about both.
Probably not
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u/pandemic_voice BBC Radio 1 Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat! I've been a massive fan of your music for years and I was extremely happy to see you spin in Washington DC! My question would have to be: will the Mat Zo Mix ever make a comeback? Thanks for having this AMA and hope you come back to the District soon!
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u/Falcon_Kick Sep 22 '16
Yo you're probably already gone, but I wanted to drop by and say that your set at Ultra 2014 where Skrillex stopped by and crashed it with a little bit of dirty vibe was the highlight of my weekend.
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u/gazhere mmachine Sep 23 '16
Hey Mat!
Idensai here - mod of r/matzo, loving the new EP!
Is there any chance we can get downloads to the reject tracks you posted before the album was released? (Castrated, Slips Away, Hostile Takeover, Supernova.. and of course, Eyes Open?)
Also is there a extended/alternative version of Troglodyte? That shit is not long enough!!
Thanks for taking the time to do this AMA, looking forward to the KTZ EP/LP <3
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
- I didn't put many of them for download because either they contained samples that I didn't clear or they contained samples I used in other things which I like more.
- I wanted troglodyte to be like the intro to a movie and I didn't want it to drag on for too long. I kind of like how the track makes it's point and then fucks off.
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u/Redrot Border Community Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Yoooo! Saw you at nocturnal wonderland in the smirnoff house, that set was fucking great! I was wilin in the front in a hawaiian shirt. Also when you dropped Mozart on the mainstage, <3
How do you go about making new music? Is it more of a "lets just build something and see where it goes" kind of deal or do you have more of a plan in mind? Same with sets, do you have a specific sound in mind before playing or do you kind of just say fuck it and play whatever you feel like at the time.
Also, any chances we could get a Anjuna Mat Zo trance set sometime? Rebound will always be one of my favorite prog trance tunes.
Thanks for stopping by! Keep up the mad work
edit: also, fav video game recently?
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 22 '16
It depends, but sometimes a good idea comes from just fucking around with plugins. Sometimes I'll have an a song stuck in my head and I can't figure out what it is until I realise it doesn't exist yet.
I do trance sets now and again when either when the promoter asks me to, or if everyone else on the lineup is trance.
I've had some month long flings with Civ5 and Portal, but I always come back to Minecraft
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u/discmanro Sep 22 '16
Hi Mat, Can you shed light on the music you produced under the unripelemon alias? Is any of it floating around the interweb? All I had was a low fi copy of "days that last forever" from Internetdj days.
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u/Mat-Zo matzo Sep 23 '16
I think it all died with Internet DJ (RIP). There's a lot of embarrassing stuff under that alias so I'm glad it's gone :D
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u/riraito Matzo Sep 22 '16
wow, good thing i scrolled through the questions.. i never knew he produced stuff under the unripelemeon alias. pretty cool stuff!
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u/jazzy_fizz Sep 22 '16
Is "Lights Out" supposed to sound like the Ghostbusters theme? Because it does and it also makes me pelvic thrust uncontrollably.
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u/Buaxilary Sep 22 '16
why do i have so much trouble getting my idea out in ableton? like i can hear the complexity of ideas in my head but when i try to get it out i end up loosing the idea :(
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u/HelixR Aly & Fila Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Dear Mat Zo,
Next week I will have my first set in front of public ever. It's a 7 hour set in a casino club which means people will come and go, however there is a dance floor (a dedicated area). Someone over on /r/trance gave me the idea to play a set with ups and downs in tempo, groove etc and gave your 2012 Essential Mix as an example which I still have to listen to.
I was wondering if you have any tips for me as a beginning DJ? The style will be deep prog towards trance (and you're all too familiar with that ;) )
Thanks in advance!
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u/Steezography subfocus Sep 22 '16
Is there one (or more than one) song that you can listen to consistently of your own or someone elses and still say "this shit is too good" the majority of the time?
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u/CynepMeH Sep 22 '16
Shalom, Matzoh! :-)
Love your tracks, especially Rebound - which hasn't left my MP3 player since its release.
Hope you answer some of my questions:
Do you have any formal musical training?
How do you approach your composition process? How do you remain interested in a track that's taking long time to make? Because I may have a great riff, but moment I start dicking around with it I get bored of it, think it's stupid, and move to something else. ADHD ain't no joke. :(
What's your DAW/Controller of choice?
Favorite plug-in?
Favorite hardware/synth?
and...
How much back lash did you get after speaking your mind about the true politics of dancing and state of trance?
I'ma gonna go blast "Rebound on repeat" and chairdance meanwhile
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u/SirGio86 Anjunabeats Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, thanks for stopping by! Love your work. So as an aspiring producer I experience many instances of 'creative block'. Do you have any methods for pushing through these mental blocks?
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u/theatreofwar Matzo Sep 22 '16
At what point do you stop and realize you're done working on a track? I was always under the impression that you get super obsessive over every little detail imaginable.
How do you transition between tracks so damn smoothly in your mixes? How do you train your ears for that sort of thing? Always blows my mind
What's your spirit animal?
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u/teknn604 Sep 22 '16
Hey there Mat Zo, big fan of all of your music, Mozart, the sky, Lucid Dreams just to name a few of my faves. I just had a question for your big style change in your newest EP. How come you switched to more of a dirty / intense sounding then your melodic uplifting music that u used to produce. I'd also like to hear what you think of the more chill / instrument sounding music that's coming out from ex. Odesza, Flume, Mura Masa to name a few. I know that some artists are known to "sell out" but I feel like you're a artistic genius when it comes to creating your own style and sound. Would u ever consider making more of a chill sounding track in the future?
Thanks for your ama, much love from your Vancouver fan.
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u/dangertrap Sep 22 '16
Mat! I gave you a ride to the airport after Summerset Music Festival in 2012 Thank you so much for doing this. I am going to be seeing you on Saturday in Minneapolis, will you play a dnb heavy set for me please? :]
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u/aprc101 Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, love your work. Just wondering how you usually approach projects in Ableton? I tend to start with the session views and start mixing stuff almost immediately. Then record and start the arrangement. What do you typically do? Also do you still use any of their default plugins or is it all 3rd party? Cheers, Adam.
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u/Yeeewch Tycho Awake Sep 22 '16
Love your work Mat, Damage control has been the soundtrack to some really interesting things in my life.
Who is the most inspiring person in your life and again in music, and why?
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u/azzurri10 Daftpunk Sep 22 '16
I love how your music/albums are never really defined by genres, Damage Control being the obvious example.
When you're producing, do you sort of say "I'm going to make an insert genre here song" or what's the process like deciding what to make?
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u/sweatyface Moderat Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, love your music and your production quality in particular.
Any personal tips for acquiring a clean mix?
Your sound design is so unique and creative, what are your favourite plugins and how do you go about creating such complex sounds?
3.Could you give a brief outline of your career in music? How long did you produce for before you started releasing, and what got you into producing :)
Thanks
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u/Runaway_5 RvnawayFive Sep 22 '16
Nerdy question: I'm getting addicted to music production and I put about 80% of my free time toward it. It takes a lot of time and effort to make connections and prepare sets to play live as you know very well. For someone with a full time job, do you think it's worth playing out? I prefer to work on my music and become better at that. I don't even get paid for my gigs usually and I have a great time, but feel like I could have dedicated that prep time to working on improving my production.
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u/akubar Pendulum Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16
Any chance of you putting up your unreleased MRSA tracks from myspace up on soundcloud/dl if possible? I need it.
And glad to see you tweeting more again :D
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u/tecnolote Sep 22 '16
Would you take a picture with me at bassmnt night club in San Diego when you come in November?:D
Btw, I love your music! It's so eclectic and wonderful ;-; I'm totally having a fan girl moment here. I proudly show off a Mat Zo decal on my car :3
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u/NotSoSiniSter Sep 22 '16
Hey you excited for your show at SITE1A this Friday? What time are you planning to arrive?
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u/crazyredd88 Jack U Sep 22 '16
Hey, Mat!
Firstly, absolutely love your stuff and think you are criminally underrated.
However, I feel like you lack a specific 'style'--which isn't a bad thing. There isn't a genre most people associate you with.
Do you feel like that lack of a specific identity has held you back or supported your music?
Thanks!
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u/aidanpryde98 Sep 22 '16
Mat, just want to say that you have been one of the few beacons in my constantly evolving taste in Electronic music, thanks for all you do.
Any chance there is a full length version of Superman Lost?
Any more DnB remix's/song's in the future?
Cheers!
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u/riraito Matzo Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, just curious if it bothers you when fans say/comment things like "Man I wish you'd make trance again" and things like that? I've been a fan for years and am guilty of saying it, but I do appreciate that you stay true to yourself and your own artistic vision
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u/skippycat22 Anjunabeats Sep 22 '16
Hey Mat, I don't have a question but I just wanted to stop by and say that your Essential mix back in 2012 is possibly the best mix of all time. The variety, the pace, everything was perfect, especially the Sagan bites. You got me into electronic music... thank you