Matt Samuels Lost You - VMM Album Interview

Since launching into the lime light in 2008 with his chart topping take on Depeche Mode’s Enjoy The Silence, Matt Samuels has established himself as one of the most exciting young artists on the scene. Widely considered to be one of the most talented up and coming producers, continually delivering club hits that have gained support from Pete Tong, Mark Knight, Eddie Halliwell and Gareth Emery, Matt’s fast rise through the house music ranks looks set to continue with his exciting debut album on Toolroom Records.

Lost You is a world class delivery showcasing Matt’s penchant for big room club cuts alongside vocal classics and melodic masterpieces. Emotive vocal gems Love Begins and Rise Above It All, featuring the talents of Ann Saunderson of Inner City fame, are two huge highlights sandwiched between mammoth anthems Electric Kiss, Pretoria and Never Enough. Matt demonstrates his versatility with the tech infused beats We Go and Teko, whilst venturing into dubstep with lead track Lost You and disco vibes in Disko to complete this debut album from Matt Samuels.

The VMM Catches Matt for a chat to ask him all about his “Lost You” debt Album out on Toolroom Records this December 2011. The

Interview:

VMMQ: Can you tell the VMM when you were pulling together this debut album what the vision and vibe that you want to create?

Matt Samuels: I wanted to put an album together that showcased all the styles I am into as a DJ and producer. Everything from Tech House through to end of the night melodic anthems! I worked with a few different producers, vocalists and musicians to get it to where I wanted it to be. I don’t want to be pigeon holed as an artist as just playing or producing one sound as I’m into many, so that’s what I wanted to put across with the album.

VMMQ: The VMM would like to ask you to give us a short description about what’s behind the music and title of each of the tracks on the “Lost You“ Album?

1. Lost You Matt Samuels: A very current sounding track, has that Swedish melody sounding hook in it along with a bit of dubstep, which is so big at the moment! The title is actually named for my girlfriends’ dad who sadly passed away recently

 2. Never Enough Matt Samuels: Again has that Swedish / current vibe to it, a very driving track with cool snare edits, can almost see it having a vocal on. Nothing really behind the name of this track just thought it sounded cool!

3. We Go Matt Samuels: I wanted to write a cool tech almost mid set track and this was the result. It actually got featured on Pete Tong’s Essential Selection Festival Show so maybe its not so mid set! It’s named ‘We Go’ because there are a few big builds that make you go ‘here we go, we know what’s coming…’ So I named it that.

4. Electric Kiss Matt Samuels: This was written with the summer in mind, very driving uplifting with some epic synths and stabs in. The name actually came from getting a static shock when I kissed my nephew on the head!

5. Love Begins feat Joel Edwards Matt Samuels: This was originally just a laid back album track and then Joel put his amazing vocals on and turned it in to one of my fav tracks! Really changed the vibe to up beat! Joel’s responsible for the title of the track so you’ll have to ask him where the name comes from!

6. In Memory Matt Samuels: The idea of this track was to incorporate a nice melody drop and just a cool groove really. The name again sadly is for a friend of mine who passed away when I was writing it.

7. For You Matt Samuels: A peak time track with a wicked melody and driving bassline! Dedicated to everyone hence the title.

8. Disko Matt Samuels: Similar concept to ‘We Go’ this one, a groovy tech track. Samples a vocal saying ‘Disko’ so went with that for the title.

9. Rise Above It All feat Ann Saunderson Matt Samuels: A nice disco/funky track that really came to life when Ann dropped the vocals over it. She wrote the lyrics so is responsible for the title.

10. Zero Matt Samuels: Big room synthy monster! No idea why I named it zero!

11 Yesterdays Here Matt Samuels: Another melodic track with a cool groove. Similar concept to ‘In Memory’ Don’t remember how I came up with the name but I love it!

12. Teko Matt Samuels: Chris Lake helped me with this track. I wanted to write something a bit different that stood out in a club! I just made up the title so doesn’t really have any meaning.

13. Pretoria Matt Samuels: Big uplifting melodies on this, think it’s the only track I’ve done without a hi hat in! I’m a massive Spurs fan and there is a road near the ground called ‘Pretoria’ so that’s where the name comes from.

VMMQ: Matt VMM would like to ask you will you be taking the Lost You album on tour?

Matt Samuels: Yes, all over the globe hopefully! I’ve already been to Italy, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Bahrain, India, Ecuador, Bolivia, and of course the UK so would love to re visit with the album and go to some other countries!

VMMQ: Can you tell the VMM what other new studio projects are you working on at the moment Matt and when will they be hitting the download stores in the coming months?

I’m currently working on some new tracks for Toolroom, mainly big sounding tracks. One of which has been shipped out to some vocalists already so we can have as a single next year, another which is coming out on the next Toolroom Miami compilation that has been so successful for Toolroom. And another track that I have finished recently – which I’m not sure what we are doing with yet – is a bit of a different track in the sense that it has some wicked uplifting melodies and then kicks in to a dubstep / electro style groove. I’m thinking it would be good to maybe get a rap or MC on the track to be different! There may also be a vocal version of ‘Lost You’.

VMMQ: Matt Samuels can you tell the VMM readers about your studio set up that you are currently using:

What monitors do you use?

 Tannoy Reveals R5A

What music sequencer do you use?

Logic 9

What mastering software do you use?

None

VMMQ: The VMM would like to ask you Matt Samuels what are the best memories from 2011 you can share with us?

Matt Samuels: DJing in Verbier Switzerland on my birthday to a slightly wealthier crowd than I have found myself playing to before. They were pouring £100 bottles of champagne down each other whilst I was playing – not something I’ve seen before! Also DJing in Ecuador South America, it was the second time I had been to South America and both times were great, but this gig had a massive stage set up with huge speakers and when I dropped my remix of ‘Enjoy The Silence’ the crowd went wild!

VMMQ: Finally Matt VMM would like to ask you what new goals have you set for yourself now for 2012 ?

Matt Samuels: I really want to be DJing more next year to raise my profile around the world. A lot of that will be down to my productions so it would be great to be one of those producers that consistently hit the top 10 chart on Beatport.

The VMM thanks Matt Samuels for taking time out to speak to use and we wish him all the best for the Lost You album and a great 2012.

Track list

1. Lost You

2. Never Enough

3. We Go

4. Electric Kiss

5. Love Begins feat Joel Edwards

6. In Memory

7. For You

8. Disko

9. Rise Above It All feat Ann Saunderson

10. Zero

11. Yesterdays Here

12. Teko

13. Pretoria