Matt King is a Leicester based DJ with over 25 years experience under his belt playing at events and clubs across the U.K, Europe and South Africa. Matt’s passion for house music and his ambition to push boundaries in his DJ sets is what has kept his sound constantly sounding fresh and unique.
Over the years Matt has been lucky enough to travel far and wide with his DJ’ing from South Africa to Greece to Turkey and across the U.K with guest DJ slots at Fantazia, Obsession, Pandemonium, Total Kaos, Forbidden, Helsinki, Mobius, Love House, House Rocks, Rehab and more.
Matt’s DJ’ing career is going from strength to strength with numerous radio stations picking him up over the years to host his own shows for them. Matt now has his own radio station called Influx Radio and has built up quite a great following with the station. Matt has over 45 DJ’s from all over the world playing live 7 days a week on Influx Radio.
Matt, himself, plays a unique blend of house, soulful house and funky house, Nu-disco, deep house and tech-house. He is also one half of the producer duo KINC.
With all the experience and knowledge comes rewards. Matt has built up quite a network of music industry contacts over the years and he is currently on some of the most prestigious promo mail outs in the DJ industry as well as work, often receiving some very exclusive tracks before anyone else!
It’s a certainty that Matt will be around rocking dance floors across the U.K and beyond for years to come.
We sat down with him for a catch to talk about music, DJing and life in general.
How did you get started as a DJ?
I’ve always been into music with a passion, in my early years (1988) before I started DJing, I made mixtapes on my stereo, taking samples from tracks, then pausing the tape, add a new track and repeat, a 60-minute tape took me hours to do. Then I brought some Sony belt drive turntables and taught myself to mix. Do you know how hard it is to mix on belt-drive turntables, haha? It’s very difficult. Then, I moved on to the Technics SL1200 MK2, which greatly improved my skills as a vinyl DJ.
What’s been your best gig?
I’ve done lots of great gigs, most of them I can’t remember haha! A couple of gigs stand out this year and last year. We were playing for LOVE HOUSE in Barnsley, the place was next level and the vibe was awesome, also the gig I did in Sheffield for REHAB was off the chain, the venue was full by 3pm in the afternoon, that ended in one in one out.
How do you see yourself and KINC in say two years time?
I would like to see us bigger and better. We are working on some things for this year, which are hush-hush lol! I want to take things to the next level.
As a music Producer, how do you stay focused?
It really does take time for the station, that’s why I have an excellent backroom staff, who I can call on…haha. I stay focused because I need to be, keeping up to date with all new music etc, it is very hard work. I think being one step ahead makes you focus more. KINC have brought out quite a lot of tracks this year, on some very great labels. We have some new projects in the pipeline for 2020. We also like to change our style every now and then, from deep house to full on piano house. I would like us to try our hand at some nu-disco stuff next year. Maybe get some more remix work.
What does 2020 hold for you?
We will go from strength to strength for both Influx and KINC, trying to push boundaries for both party’s, club nights, remix work. We will work our hardest to become the best we can be.
What’s your top 3 tracks of the moment?
Sandy Rivera, Moon Rocket, Mattei & Omich, Heleina Zara ‘REWINDING’ (Sandy Rivera’s Chocolate Mash Up)[Deepvisionz]
Erik Hagleton ‘Ain’t Nobody’ (Extended Mix) [Glasgow Underground]
Aki Bergen Feat. Carmen Sherry ‘Into My Soul’ (Full Intention Remix)[Papa Records]
What advice do you have for newbies to the music scene in general?
All you have to do is be true to your game! Work hard at it! Yes yes, we all know the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. In some parts this is true. Music, it’s got to be in your soul and if the passion is there you will make your dreams come true. However, it doesn’t always work like that. Stay true to yourself, flip your style until you find your passion!!
Is there any genre you won’t play?
Haha yes, there is…EDM, Tropical House, Future House, Grime and Trap! I’m not taking it away from those artist’s, however, I personally don’t enjoy it. I’m old skool. I’m an addict of 100% House Music! However, I do dip my toes into some liquid dreamy d&b when the moods right haha!
How has DJing (studio mix and live) changed, do you think, in the last 5 or so years, in regards to the accessibility to music and the scene itself?
Myself, I started on sony belt drive turntables, then moved to the trusted SL1200’s. I was vinyl all the way!! As times move on so do you as a DJ. I can’t get all my promo’s on vinyl now, if I could I would still spin the plastic. However, this can’t be done with all labels, so you have to get adapted with the digital form.
The internet has made a massive change for DJ’s and Producers over the last 5 to10 years. You would have to travel to your friends studio or home etc even to write a track or even have a mix. It’s so much easier now. I’ve done this drop email over, I’ve made this chorus email sent etc. I love the internet, however, I do feel it has killed some part of production etc. I really think if two people are going to produce, they need to be in the same room when they are creating a track. I dont think The Doors, Bob Dylan or The Stones would have enjoyed that. It’s in the moment when these tracks, tunes and albums are made. I find it hard to vibe off an email. Get in the studio together! Yeah, I know that can be hard sometimes, who cares if it takes you 1 year to compose the perfect tune, that 1 track could make you a somebody! #IfYouBuildItTheyWillCome!
Soul, heart, passion, dreams! Become that person you want to be!
Thank you Matt, for taking time out to talk to us.
KINC’s new single ‘True Emotion’ is out on 15th May on Blue Monkey Recordings. Check it out here