Interview by Nicky Trax
A big weekend coming up for London at Eastern Electrics Festival and the after party at Egg LDN…
The last EE at the new location was amazing, so it’s safe to say I am excited about this year’s festival. Last year I arrived quite late and had to DJ in the Kubikle area, so I didn’t get to check out the site properly, so I am going to make the most of it this year. Then it’s on the disco bus to Egg LDN for the after party which I heard was a proper laugh last year also!!!
Originally starting out on the Nottingham scene, can you tell us how you first started out and was there a particular club or event that gave you a break and set you on your path?
My first break in a proper club came at The Bomb in Nottingham via the legendary promoter James Baillie. He got hold of a demo mix of mine and asked me if I wanted to play at the club which was a dream come true as I’d been going to the club religiously every Saturday, listening to DJs like Derrick Carter, Laurent Garnier and the Tyrant guys – but more importantly the two residents Dave Congreve and Kelvin Andrews. Those two were the biggest influence on my career early on as they played by far the best music week in week out that I’d ever heard. They proved how important a groove is, compared to hands in the air nonsense.
How important is it for a DJ to have a residency?
It’s very important in my opinion, you have the platform to experiment and learn how to read a crowd. But in this day and age, the idea of a DJ is hidden behind smoke. It seems all you have to do is put out a big record nowadays and you get booked to DJ, even though you may never have done it before. Producers should play live, DJs should DJ.
You started running your own Leftroom parties at Shoreditch’s infamous T Bar, how did that come about?
Derren Smart (RIP) used to work at a club in Nottingham called Venus which was also run by James Baillie. James always spoke highly of me, so when he mentioned my name to Derren he offered me the chance to do a monthly party in the capital…and Leftout was born. We had some messy nights there, so many to talk about, but highlights would of course include nights with Craig Richards, Lee Burridge, Heartthrob and Ryan Elliott.
Since then you’ve gone on to bigger events and international dates with Leftroom which celebrated its 10th Anniversary last year. How have these events help shape your career?
I am not the best promoter in the world so it was always important for me to work with other people. Without these other people I could not organise a party on a larger scale if I tried…I’ve worked with a lot of the same clubs and promoters most of my career and they genuinely are the places and people that supported me very early on. Loyalty goes a long way in dance music…
You are hugely acclaimed as a producer, what a journey! Is there one piece of work that stands out?
Early on in my career I always worked with others as I was still learning and I really enjoyed the company. As I’ve got older I’ve started doing a lot more solo material with the highlight being my debut album ‘Word Of Mouth’ that was released on my label Leftroom in October 2012.
Why was having your own label so important to you?
I left university to start my record label as I was getting so much good music by a lot of new artists that really weren’t getting a look in with the larger labels at the time. The label’s motto is ‘The Extended Family’ and that has stayed like that for the last ten years. Here’s to another ten years. Stand out releases for me are Audiojack’s ‘Robot’, Ito & Star’s ‘Sudoko Kid’, Laura Jones’ ‘Love In Me’ and Kate Simko feat Jem Cooke’s ‘Go On Then’.
Are there any particular artists that you are following or tipping right now?
Most of the stuff that interests me the most at the moment is vinyl only. Labels like Hostom, JustLeftWhite, Out The Box and Routine. There seems to be a huge amount of quality control when it comes to vinyl releases, so record shopping is more exciting to me now then it has ever been.
As someone who’s been playing at the top of the game for many years now, surfing the highs and lows, what inspires and drives you to carry on?
My one year old daughter is my biggest inspiration at the moment. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about her – and being surrounded by love is a great thing. Any advice for young DJ/producers:- “Be aware that it seems the music industry is a huge popularity contest and marketing exercise at the moment. Stay true to what you believe in, be original, and set yourself goals.”
And lastly before we head out the door to the Eastern Electrics After Party at Egg LDN what should we be listening to?
My new weekly worldwide internet radio show named Don’t Be Leftout!!! Check my Facebook artist page and soundcloud for more information…https://soundcloud.com/matt-tolfrey and
Matt Tolfrey headlines the Eastern Electrics After Party at EGG LDN alongside Steve Lawler, Dense & Pika, Waifs & Strays, Geddes, PBR Streetgang, and more to be announced on Saturday 6th August 2016. All info http://www.egglondon.co.uk/
