Matt Samuels has emerged alongside his contemporaries like Jon Gurd, Dave Robertson and James Talk as one of the most exciting, talented young producers of recent years. His melodic, atmospheric sound takes the mood of progressive house and throws in a whole load of other influences to make for a dynamic, involving and highly original sound. Remixes for the likes of Toolroom Records, Cr2 and Deepr Substance show that his talented isn't going unnoticed, and it's only a matter of time before he blows up. We went to his house, bundled him into a traditional Kazhakstani wedding sack, dragged him to London and are keeping him locked away until Saturday night where he headlines for Maximal Underground at The Key. If you like house music – you need him in your life!

How did you get into dance music in the first place then Matthew?

My cousin got me in to house music really when I was younger. I went to buy my new hi-fi with him and had about 20 quid left over and he recommended I buy Club mix ’96. I think it was since then I was hooked!

Have you been into clubbing in a big way since then or has production always been your main thing?

Well bit of both really, when I was at school I went to a few Slinky nights in Bournemouth and went to a night at The Bic that they put on, which was great to go to, but I’ve mainly just been in to the DJing .. and then about 4/5 years ago I made a decision to cut back on the DJing and try and make a name for myself producing and remixing.

How did you get your foot in the door with regards to production and getting tracks out there?
I studied Music Tech in college and the famous Dave Spoon was my teacher! I remember James (Talk) and Dave (Robertson) had bought Reason and I then bought a copy and just started playing around with it and it just went from there. I now write all my musical parts and then take my tracks down to Dave’s studio where we finish everything off and program it all.

In regards to getting tracks out I just approached labels and sent them my tracks and kept sending as they gradually got better. I have pulled some tracks from some labels as they just take too long to put things out…so I started Innovate and Sequential.

What’s the difference between the two labels?

Innovate is more big room orientated…it is more peak time where as Sequential is more underground house…more melodic, techy and groovy. They hopefully represent my tastes as a DJ.

Speaking of which, you're playing at Maximal Underground this Saturday at The Key aren't you, hmmmm? Hmmm????? What's your plan of action with regards to your set?

Haha well ... if I had more time to prepare I would have set my new laptop up with loops and acapellas etc but I will just be blagging a load of tunes off Spoon, Talk and Robertson, Lake et al and will play some new stuff as well as some other tracks I’m in to. I’ll see what the vibe is like and take it from there. Normally I like to use acapellas and loops in my sets to be creative but I’ll save that for next time!

Sounds good! Obviously you've been pushing yourself heavily as a producer, but will this be one of your most noteworthy DJing experiences so far?

Yeh of course! I’m just about to kick-start the DJ career so this will be my first gig on this note since the production thing! Getting to play any club in London is wicked but I have heard a lot of good things about this night and am looking forward to it! I may even buy you a beer for your birthday!

How kind! Your sound seems to take in a lot of influences - prog, techno, electro, house, trance.....do you listen to a lot of different stuff then?

I suppose yeah…I think a lot of it is just what I have listened to since I got in to music over the years. Paul Oakenfold influenced me a lot and he likes a melody or two and I guess I’m in to all kinds of house be it techno prog etc so I try and incorporated a bit of everything in to my productions. You can be melodic and uplifting I feel without doing it in an obvious way.

What do you make of the whole minimal thang then? Many of the more minimal tracks seem to be pretty devoid of melody

I like them really.. especially for playing in your sets..you don’t want to be playing melodic track after melodic track. Some tracks I feel are produced to be more kinda filler tracks and they are the tracks that you can play again and again and don’t sound dated.

What do you hope to have achieved by the end of the year?

To make a start on world domination of my DJ and production career! Mwahahaha! Just to write some more tracks that hopefully get signed to some of my fave labels and get a few more Pete Tong plays will do very nicely. I’m in talks with a pretty good management company at the moment so to start touring would be great!

And finally - tell us something that not many people know about you...

Hmmm…I have met P Diddy…is that one?

www.mattsamuels.com
myspace.com/matt_samuels

guestlist@wearebeautiful.co.uk

HOTLINE: 07935 065 075

£5 NUS / £10 guestlist / £12 on the door

\\ THE UNDILUTED SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND //

Welcome one and all to underground sound of Maximal! The long dark summer weekend begins to approach as the whisper moves through the streets of London, friends, fiends and the beautifully blessed party pilgrims begin to prepare for the twisted menagerie of sonic electronica beats that await.

The news is only ever released one week before the event so please read carefully!

Tired of false promises and glitzy promotional speil? Maximal Underground is a party that strictly relies on word of mouth. You will not see a flyer in a flyer pack and you will not see any online flashy banners. This is a party for strictly those in the know, because it’s the people that make the party not the promotion! The music policy is simple, just the best up and coming underground DJs on the circuit.

Matt Samuels headlines, whose massive remix of Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence' is being championed by Pete Tong on his Essential Selection as well as Sander Kleinenberg....http://www.mattsamuels.com

This is the real sound of the underground, spontaneous, undiluted and unashamed! 

The Soundbox: Maximal Underground

THE BEST OF THE UNDERGROUND

Matt Samuels (Toolroom Recordings/Cr2 Records)

Chris Barratt

Johnny Mikes (Ninja Cowboys)

Marc Hasler Vs DJP

Ben Gomori (Dex ‘n’ FX)

Fabian Chui

Chris Rayner

Filth & Splendour

The Terrace: ONEFORTHEGIRLS

VIP Bar: Loose Control