THEAUSSIEWORD.COM catches up with producer, artist and DJ Distant Matter for a special interview.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
I started playing piano at a really young age and always loved music. When I was in high school, I would make little beats on garage band and freestyle over them with my friends and have a good laugh. I loved it so much that I always had this desire to keep exploring. When I turned 18, I downloaded logic pro x which is the next step up from garage band and started learning how to actually produce music. I quickly learned that this is my passion and I want to make this my life. The rest is history.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I want to bring people together through music. Every concert or festival I’ve ever been too I always have such a special feeling inside and it’s the unity that the music brings to all of us. I’m inspired by that feeling and want to make others feel the same. I’m a creator above all else and I just love creating. Creating keeps me going.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
I want to play festivals consistently. And travel the world with my music.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
I am putting out my first EP titled ‘Iridescent’ in September and then going to start planning my first tour in 2023.
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
My latest release is a taste of the upcoming EP. I would describe my music as the type of song you can feel the bass in your stomach but also the emotion in your heart. Its meaningful electronic pop music. Nostalgic, and familiar, but different.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
I just sit at my piano and record everything until something inspires me enough to open the daw and expand on the idea. My goal is to create a song first, then produce it out. Once you have a song then it doesn’t matter what the production is like because people will be able to connect with the melodies and lyrics above anything else.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
The entire ‘Iridescent’ EP is infused with hidden meanings and metaphors that represent my life and my experiences.
Success, what is the secret to it?
Once you put a project into the world you can’t really control how it does. So, I detach my definition of success to the numbers. As soon as I put something out into the world, I am successful. The project will take a life of its own.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
Selling out my first hometown headline show. Such an amazing experience and to be able to do that in my hometown is special to me.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I am really inspired by Jon Bellion, Flume, Coldplay, The Beatles, Louis the Child, and Fred Again…
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
I want to create more than just music. I want to create clothing. I want to start a label. And so much more. In a few years I see myself starting these side projects and building them up over time.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
My favourite part is working with other creative people and building life lasting relationships. I really don’t have a least favourite thing because I love everything so much and it’s all fun to me. But if I really had to choose, I would say when people don’t treat you nicely. Sometimes I am genuinely trying to connect and reach out to others, and some people are just not the nicest. But that’s just part of it. Not everyone is going to be nice.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
Flume, Rufus Du Sol, What So Not
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
I think it’s amazing. The fact that we can promote ourselves on our phones by posting videos is such a liberating thing. The freedom we have as artists nowadays is endless. There are so many different ways to get yourself out there and as long as your consistent and authentic then its inevitable.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
I just want to keep making music that’s true and authentic to me. I think as long as I do that then people will be able to resonate.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
Love collaboration. It’s what excites me the most. I love learning from other process and seeing how they create. I would love to collab with Flume, Billie Eilish, or Kanye West, just to name a few.
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Just keep creating, keep going, and always stay true to yourself.
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
I love everyone that supports me, and I try to answer every message that comes in. I always try to get to know my fans on a deeper level because my fans are my family. One of my goals is to have my fan base unite as one and become one big family.
Website: https://www.distantmattermusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DistantMatterMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/distantmatter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/distantmatter/