Our Chat with Mat
- The WUG: When did your love for music first start? What did you grow up listening to?
- Mathew Jonson: I grew up listening hip hop and rap, rock 'n' roll, jazz, classical and folk music. I draw influences from all different types of music.
- The WUG: What made you decide to get into music professionally?
- Mathew Jonson: I always knew I would be doing music. But, it was difficult to change from a regular job to the music profession. Music, as a profession (where I didn't have to have another job) didn't happen until 2000.
- The WUG: What was your first professional release?
- Mathew Jonson: It was on the label, Dreamworks, a remix for Nelly Furtado.
- The WUG: What's on your playlist today?
- Mathew Jonson: I'm listening to a lot of jazz, like Thelonious Monkand Miles Davis; hip hop, I like the early to mid 90's hip hop, like Tribe Called Quest, Souls of Mischief. I've also been listening to a lot of classical, like Rachmaninoff.
- The WUG: Recently we've been hearing more about you doing live acts and producing, is DJing something you are not doing anymore- professionally?
- Mathew Jonson: Yes, I have been doing more live sets. I haven't been DJing on a professional level for 5 years. I've pretty much stopped Djing professionally since I moved to Europe and have been focusing more on producing. But, then again, I had been producing for 9 years before I even started DJing..
- The WUG: Can you tell us more about Cobblestone Jazz and The Modern Deep Left Quartet?
- Mathew Jonson: Sure! The Band started as the quartet, then a member moved away (The Mole). Then started Cobblestone Jazz . The two are very similar, except one is a 3 piece ensemble, the other is a quartet. The highlight of Cobblestone is Daniel Tate, who plays keyboard and is on vocals. They are all very talented- DJs and producing. 80% of our shows are improvisation that are made of parts we have not heard of before, but written in the moment. A lot of energy comes from that. We’ve been touring now for 10 years.
- The WUG: If you could play in any venue or city in the world, where would it be?
- Mathew Jonson: I would love to play in the Fuji Festival in Japan., It sounds like a huge festival, and yeah, I would love to play there. I love playing in Japan..I love the energy there!
- The WUG: We've been seeing you in Goa a lot. What attracts you here?
- Mathew Jonson: Yes, I've been here a few times. I have a house here and obviously love it here. It's super relaxing here for me. I'm not a part of the club scene here, which is a big contrast to living in Berlin, where its very fast and I play out a lot. I like to unwind here before I get ready to start touring again this summer.
- The WUG: Where all do you tour?
- Mathew Jonson: Everywhere! All over the world. That's why I like to spend 2 months in Goa. Eventually , I would like to spend the whole season and play around India, like in China and Dubai. I would like to spend my winters in Goa and the summers back in Europe.
- The WUG: What are your views on the Goa electronic music scene? A place that has been dominated by trance for many years , where do you see other forms of electronic music fitting in?
- Mathew Jonson: To tell you the truth, I don't know much about the music scene in Goa. Obviously trance is very popular here, and it's been popular for a long time. But, I 've been talking to the locals here and a lot of people are getting into other forms of music, like techno, house, break-beats. DJs like Ivo, Raymond and Axailes have been playing all forms of music for the last 5 years. I'm the outsider here. I'm not here to participate in the club scene. I'm here just to relax.
- The WUG: Is Mezcal the only place you'll be performing in Goa this seaon?
- Mathew Jonson: Yes, it's the only time I'm doing it here. I'm doing it because I live with Azar, the owner, of Mezcal; he's my housemate and we spend a lot of time together. We're doing it for fun! And for the closing time of the restaurant.
- The WUG: Is there anything you would like to add?
- Mathew Jonson:Yes! I have a record label, Wagon Repair. Check out our website on
