Tonight, Friday, December 11, 2009. Made Event brings eminent electronic dance DJ/producer and pioneer, Matt Darey, to Cielo. The artist is most notorious for his mastering of the popular radio show, Nocturnal Session, which is broadcast on no less than 116 FM stations worldwide! For nearly 20 years, has thrilled EDM fans with charting, mega-hits such as “Lost Tribe,” “Liberation,” and “Beautiful” with Marcella Woods. Darey has sold over 2 million albums.
From progressive trance, to electro, and house– Darey covers all the bases in a provocative and cut-edge style. TheMST.com
Benjamin-Émile Le Hay: Tell us about how you got started as a DJ, musical artist and producer? Did you have any role models growing up that lead to your career?
Matt Darey: I was a singer/songwriter in a guitar band at school; we stayed together for a few years and toured the universities in the UK. Just a fun thing, but it got me into the whole making music thing. Then when I was studying for my degree I went to my first rave and, pretty much overnight, dropped the band and started to make electronic dance music…seemed like a lot of fun. I was really lucky that I got to play my first EDM (electronic dance music) record to Seymour Stien, who is actually from NYC; he was the head of Sire Records at Warner Brothers (the guy famous for signing Madonna). He gave me a 6 album deal on the spot…and a ton of money! So I moved to London from my small town and started making house music.
BL: Your work on the Euphoria compilations is epic! How was that experience for you? How did it affect you as an artist?
MD: They approached me to mix there Euphoria series cause 1/4 of the tracks on the next double album were produced or remixed by me (either under my own name or one of my various aliases) I never mixed a record in my life…DJ-ing was something I always shunned, i preferred to be out there on the dance floor on the weekends. Anyway, worked out a new way of mixing on CDR’s which were just coming into use…the majority of the album was mixed using musical keys…and it worked so well, a lot of people used the same technique; ‘till this day. I guess it influenced the way I DJ to this day but not really affecting my music that much.
BL: You’ve worked with the best talent in the industry– who have been some of the music producers and artists that have inspired you the most and why?
MD: With regards to electronic dance music, I’ve been influenced by too many different artists to mention. One guy who I regard as one of the true pioneers in the art of being a DJ was [Paul] Oakenfold; we kind of grew up musically at the same time.
BL: The Matt Darey sound is always progressively evolving and constantly setting new industry standards, how do you challenge yourself to produce better and new music?
BL: It’s more a case of I get bored with making the same sound and have to move on to remain inspired. The latest project being a massive departure from my last record with my guitar based band Urban Astronaut. Of course the remixes sound pretty cool in one of my sets.
BL: We’re huge fans of the “Beautiful (Matt Darey original mix) with Marcella Woods” – as well as your work with Agnelli & Nelson, PVD, Oakenfold and Tiësto. What are some of your favorite tracks and why?
MD: I guess “Beautiful” was the last big trance record I made before I retired for a few years from making music back in 2002. I loved that record even after hearing it a thousand times. I thought the lyrics were some of the best I have written at the time. Kind of, spiritual with undertones of my clubbing experiences at the time.
BL: What do you like most about performing in New York City?
MD: The people in the club; they really feel where I’m coming from and I can take the music anywhere i want, which is refreshing…. I guess NYC clubbers are pretty well educated in EDM and I have a lot of fans of Nocturnal in the city.
BL: What are some of your most memorable sets or events that you’ve participated in?
MD: Too many to mention, I have a blast most of the time when I’m playing out…and surprisingly to some, it’s the more intimate shows where I have the most fun cause you get to meet clubbers and hang out. At the big fests you’re kind of far removed from the audience. First DJ set was NYE 2001 in Malaysia, which will always be the most memorable. I played for 4 hours and got hooked on DJ-ing.
BL: Nocturnal sessions are a huge undertaking, how has it enhanced your career?
MD: Most people I play to know me for Nocturnal first and foremost. I think it’s a great accompaniment to my DJ-ing because it means I can take the time to explore all kinds of musical genres and keep my sets interesting.
BL: You’ve got your first release in just over two years! What do you hope listeners get out of Matt Darey presents Urban Astronauts – “See the Sun?”
MD: “See the Sun” has gotten so much positive feedback. It’s a beautiful song. It makes it so worthwhile when people say such nice things about something you’ve created.
BL: What else is on the horizon for Matt Darey?
MD: More DJ touring, and a lot more making music. I just started a new label Nocturnal Global. I’m aiming to release a record of my own every 6 weeks or so…you won’t be waiting another 2 years (laughing).
BL: You tour extensively, what do you like to do in your spare time?
MD: Well I like to check out the places I travel to… I guess that takes up most of the weekdays….off to Aspen next week to go snow boarding…you kind of have to make the most of where you are at the time. When I’m back in London, I get time to make music.
The fun at Cielo (18 Little West 12th Street New York City) starts at 10pm and will surely go deep into the night. Tickets start at $15, for more details head to the Made Event website: http://www.madeevent.com/121109.php?REFID=madeweb
Darey concludes his grueling US leg with upcoming dates in Denver, Aspen and Fort Lauderdale. He then jets off to the Mediterranean to welcome in the New Year, with gigs in Cyprus and Malta. To check out other upcoming Darey gigs head to his website: http://www.mattdarey.com/v3/tourdates.html. Or to subscribe to the epic Nocturnal podcast: http://www.mattdarey.com/v3/nocturnal.html.
