Interview by Dan Prince
Matija, a huge welcome to DMCWORLD. Where in the world are you right now?
Thanks for having me Dan, Been a huge fan of DMC since the early days. At the moment I am at the airport waiting for my flight to Los Angeles.
Well young man, what a 12 months you have had! Setting the dancefloor alight with your remix of ‘California’ alongside Chris Lake, smashing it with your mysterious ‘Chronic’ track that the likes of Garrix and Porter Robinson were all over earlier this year…and now back in the groove with ‘Flow’ coming out on Spinnin’. Rumour has it you came up with the idea on a ferry boat?
Yeah that’s true. I was listening to a lot of different kinds of music. Mostly rock and experimental and then the idea just hit me. I was on my way home on a Ferry Boat from one of my gigs in Croatia. I wrote first chords with classic Hammond organ sound. After that I put that break part in neuro bass track and added some heavy vocals. It sounded really good to me so I finished the track in my studio few days later.
Your love of a wide spectrum of music is legendary. Who were some of the artists blasting around the Rodic household when you were growing up?
A lot of classic rock music like Led Zeppelin, The Doors ect… I really like to listen to different genres. Most of the time i find ideas from non electronic songs.
You are classicaly trained in violin, drums and keyboard – what was the dream as a child – what did you want to do with your life?
When I was a kid I started playing keyboard and violin. That helped me a lot with basic music knowledge. At first I wanted to become a football player but then I fell in love with music more and more. My first “daw” software for producing was actually a Playstaion game named “Music2000”. You need to start somewhere, right?
When did dance music appear on your radar and how?
I think it was when I was 8 years old. My older brother listened to a lot of electronic music. He had tons of CDs mostly with early house and trance music and when he wasn’t home I used to always steal his CDs and play it out loud on his system.
Can you remember the first GREAT club you went to?
Yes, there were two amazing clubs named Aquarius and Mansion, both located in Zagreb, Croatia.
What did your family think of your decision to follow your heart and follow a path in the music industry?
They supported me from day one which is really cool. I’m happy about that.
Who has helped you the most in your career?
My friends and family who are behind me from day one and of course my manager with his team.
One record that you wish you would have made?
Hans Zimmer – Time
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
1. My Nu Leng & Flava D – Soul Shake
Dark and powerful, I like it a lot.
2. Culprate X Tru Fonix – One
Bouncy and powerful
3. Autoerotique – AUH (Hearts Remix)
Crowd goes crazy every time I play this
4, Noisa & Ivy Lab – Posession
A mind blowing tune with amazing sound design
5. Madeaux – New Wav feat. Kaleena Zanders (Wuki Remix)
Head shaking with nice sounds
Where are some of the summer gigs you are really looking forward tot his summer?
I’m super excited to have a mini residency at club Noa at famous Zrche Beach in Croatia. Croatia is my home country and it’s always great to play there.
A dream studio collab?
Matroda x Rick Rubin x Pharrell Williams x Hans Zimmer – Music
The best bit of advice you have ever been given?
Work hard and never give up!
How would you say your music style has developed over the last 12 months
I‘m always trying new things and I tend to be creative when it comes to music production. I love to experiment. Learning process never ends. When I started I first produced glitch hop, neuro funk and little bit of trap. Now I really like a mixture between garage, house and bass music. Let’s call it electronic music.
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
I don’t have a 9-5 job so most people would say that this is the biggest risk. But I like it and you need to take risks sometimes as long as you’re happy.
The last time you danced to a DJ?
Last weekend when on of my friend’s played a birthday set.
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
I’m working on a lot of new songs and few collabs. I just finished a remix for Zhu and I’m really excited to start my own mix series called “The Truth”…
