Today we have an interview with the infamous, Black Matter. He is now a major part of Sex Cult Records and has been remixing tracks with the likes of Designer Drugs, Tom Deluxx, and many more. He just finished up Visions Vol. 2 and has decided to share a little bit about himself with us today. Check him out on Facebook at Black Matter and like his page! Look out for this man in the future, BIG things to come...
1. EL: Hey Jesse! How goes it?
what's up… it's going well
2. EL: Have you been in the studio all day today?
Yep, I sure have been. Just finished writing a nasty dubstep breakdown for an upcoming bootleg remix.
3. EL: So go ahead and tell me a little bit about the dynamics you’ve come to creating your own tunes. I know that you were Designer Drugs assistant for a while. How did that work out? Is it now a little bit like the apprentice becoming the master type thing?
When I sit down to write a track I usually have no idea what I'm going to do. Sometimes I'll have an idea, but usually I just sit down and start playing riffs and see what I come up with. If I randomly get an idea, I'll immediately run up to the studio (if I'm not already there) and track it, or if I'm out, I like to record voice notes on my iPhone (they sound absolutely ridiculous when you listen back to it, but it works).
I still work with Designer Drugs. It's great and working out really well. We are like family and they definitely play the roll of mentor for me.
4. EL: Did the duo help start you on a specific path when you wanted to start producing your own music?
I had actually been producing music before I met them, but they definitely helped me step up my game to a whole new level. I've learned a lot from them and I'm still learning new things all the time. I don't think you ever really stop learning.
5. EL: I know that the crew is based out of NYC but what is your take on the LA music scene? Better? Worse? Is New York the place to be right now? Or do you feel like you will be grounding yourself in a new location sometime in the future?
I think the LA club scene is way better than New York. There's really only one good electro party worth going to in New York, and that's Girls & Boys.
I think the "place to be" really just depends on the person. I love New York because of what it has to offer and I like the way the city works… it's very fast paced.
I honestly don't know what the future holds for me, but I'm not too worried about it. I'm just gonna keep working and figure things out along the way.
6. EL: You’ve started a project called “Black Matter” is this some sort of alter ego you will be creating to produce more music and mixtapes off of?
A lot of people have been asking me questions like, "Are you still Jesse Jamz?" Yes, I'm still Jesse Jamz and always will be. BLACK MATTER has taken over, it's something I have no control over… it has a will of it's own.
7. EL: What do you think is the biggest break you have had thus far? Did you expect it?
I'm not sure that I've had a big break yet. I think linking up with the DD guys have been the best thing for my career so far.
8. EL: Now with so many different types of sounds in EDM where do you see your music headed? Do you plan to stick with the same sound or do you see yourself as starting to branch out? I.E. Moving into different sounds such as Disco-House or Dubstep?
I just write whatever comes out. The sound I've been making lately is a combination of dirty electro and dutch. I also write dubstep parts for some of my breakdowns. I've been working on some pop/darkwave 'ish tracks. I have a remix coming out that is slow electro (93bpm). I'm not really tying myself down to a specific style, I like to use elements from many different genres.
9. EL: I also noticed that you are a part of Sex Cult Records. Now that you are placed next to some pretty amazing artists, what can we look forward to in the coming months?
Sex Cult is definitely very important to me. I'm not only an artist, I also help run the label. I'm super excited about the things we have lined up. I have 3 or 4 tracks (originals and remixes) coming out on the label in the next couple of months. I also have a remix coming out on Ultra Records later this month, I'm not sure if I can announce that yet though.
We are also doing Sex Cult parties in different cities and countries.
10. EL: Something you’ll dig out of the mp3 playlist years later and still listen to?
I recently just started listening to Ready to Wear by Felix Da Housecat again…. such a good track. I used to spin the Benny Benassi remix back in 2006 at this residency I had.
11. EL: Any plans for live shows in 2011? If so, where, and with whom if anybody?
At the moment I have some shows lined up for the next few months.
In March I'll be playing in Santa Cruz and in San Francisco for Blow Up. Blow Up is probably my favorite party in the US, and this time I'll be playing with DD so I'm sure it's gonna be insane.
In April I'll be playing in Puerto Rico with Drivepilot. I think I'll also be playing the Sex Cult parties in Tallahassee and Gainesville.
In May I'll be playing at World DJ Festival in Seoul, Korea with Dada Life, Avicii, and many more.
A lot of other shows are in the works too, I hope to be playing a lot this year.
12. EL: If you could remix one track, any track ever made, which one would it be and why?
I have no clue… for some reason Joy Division comes to mind, but I don't know which song.
13. EL: What role do you think bloggers play in the music scene? Do you support it? How would you like it to change?
I think bloggers are really important… they help educate people across the world. It's definitely made dance music accessible to kids who live in the middle of nowhere and I think that's really cool.
I guess the negative side to blogs is that no one really buys music anymore… but the industry has changed from how it used to be and we just have to accept that.
14. EL: There are many artists who now loathe the ease with which anybody can pound out a new track with software on their laptop, or become a DJ without laboring over simple skills. What do you think makes your sounds and aspirations different than other producers and DJ’s out there?
Real talent will always shine through. Sure anyone can make a track or DJ with serato or traktor, but that doesn't make it good.
I'm in this business because it's what I love. I've wanted to be a DJ since I was 12. The reason I got into DJ'ing and producing was because I hoped that some day I could give people the feeling I got when I saw great DJ's. I'm not sure that my sounds and aspirations are different than other people's, but they are completely genuine.
15. EL: Who is an artist/musician/producer that you have your eye on right now?
I'm really into Alvin Risk, he's also a member of the Sex Cult family. I also expect to see big things from Space Laces.
16. EL: The world is ending tomorrow and you have one person to make a collaboration with…Who is it?
Definitely Daft Punk… but if the world was ending tomorrow no one would hear it haha.
17. EL: Any other things you’d like to say? Words of advice? Shout outs?
If you live in a city where you can get a McLobster, do it! Not all of us are blessed with such precious commodities, but the McRib will have to suffice.
EL: Much respect and thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule! Cheers!
Mediafire - Visions Vol. 2
Metropoulos
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