A few weeks ago Sheryl and I headed to San Bernardino for Dreamstate SoCal. San Berdoo isn’t far from home, but we booked a hotel for the weekend. I mean, gates to Dreamstate didn’t open until 5:00 p.m. and the headliner didn’t take the stage until late. But it was a good excuse to get away for a few days. But it wasn’t all fun & games.
When the lineup was released, I reached out to a few names for an interview, including Matt Fax. In Search Of Sunrise 18, a compilation mixed by Markus Schulz, Dennis Sheperd and Matt Fax. Speaking of Dennis Sheperd, his new album Onwards / / Upwards is amazing. I digress.
When we finally got to the National Orange Show Event Center, we struggled to find parking. But we finally made it in. Sadly, my credentials didn’t give me much access. But after Matt’s set we agreed to meet up for an interview.
I enjoyed spending time with him, learning more about his music and his homeland, and his journey to Dreamstate. Matt played mainstage (The Dream) opening up for names like Giuseppe Ottaviani, Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk and Aly & Fila. His set was amazing and I got the chance to hear tracks like “Close My Eyes” and “Halcyon” live. It was unforgettable! And this interview just the same… It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you Matt Fax.
We are here at Dreamstate SoCal. I am pumped to see you perform tonight. What can fans expect from your performance?
I’m very excited to play on the mainstage tonight! I’m going to play my last few releases, as well as both tracks from my Anjunabeats EP.
How did you get connected with Dreamstate? This is a pretty epic weekend planned.
They first contacted me last year to play on The Void stage, which was the first year they were doing a progressive only stage. Insomniac have been helping on the Colorscapes tour in 2021 as well, so it helped to get on the festival lineup I guess.
You got the chance to spin “Nightowl” on ASOT. Tell me more about that single and your experience spinning in that room next to Ruben.
“Night Owl” is a track from my 2020 album Progressions. I did an alternative version for my 10 years compilations called X; which was a version I worked for Colorscapes Volume Two but didn’t make the cut in the end. Spinning tracks on ASOT next to Ruben de Ronde and Armin van Buuren, they really put you in a good place, you just feel like home.
Tell me more about Max Fax Essentials, your Spotify Playlist.
It’s a playlist I’m going to update whenever I have new releases. It includes all the essential tracks from my discography, either the most played ones or just the most popular ones. It’s the perfect gateway for people who don’t know my stuff.
You are from France. Currently living in Normandy. What is the music scene like there and where are some of your favorite places to see a show in your hometown?
France is a complicated country for electronic music. It’s more of a hip-hop/rock crowd here, so only the biggest EDM artists can hope to sell out a show there. In my state, there are little to no clubs you can go to enjoy electronic music. Hope those things will change in the future!
What is Chromattic? Tell me more about that project.
Chromattic is my brand. It’s a label, a radio show, something you can affiliate me with. I started the label last month with the release of my track “Energy”, which had amazing reactions, and I’m looking forward to releasing more stuff in 2023 on there.
What are you listening to when you’re not performing? I am curious who inspires you.
I listen to everything except progressive. This year I found myself pretty disconnected from the scene and started listening to a lot of hip-hop, rock, bass music, techno as well. Some of the artists I listen to at the moment are: IMANU, Sub Focus, Township Rebellion, Rage Against the Machine, Justice, Eminem, Moderat, A Tribe Called Quest, also some French rappers and hip-hop artists like Orelsan, Lomepal and Damso. It’s definitely not progressive.
A lot of big names are here this weekend. Anyone you are excited to see? The Dream stage is pretty lit tonight AND tomorrow!
I wanted to catch Armin and Farius but I’ll be gone by then which is a shame! Friday mainstage is looking great, might stay there and enjoy the full thing.
Your music has been supported by some of the biggest names in dance music… Armin for example. What does it mean having support from him and others?
It’s really grateful to have support from an influential person like Armin. He is so friendly, and always supported my stuff for the past 6 years or so. It gives me the boost to keep going. If someone like him can enjoy what I do, it’s opening the door for others.
It seems like every DJ has a podcast. You have one, too! Tell me more about Chromattic Radio with Matt Fax and how often you are releasing new episodes.
My radio show Chromattic Radio with Max Fax is a bit different from the other shows. I try to concentrate on playing my own music and include some unreleased and exclusive tracks in the mix. I rarely check my promos because I’m lazy and I find myself pretty disappointed with the output. I used to release one episode every month, but with the amount of studio work I’m doing those days, I’m not sure when the next episode will go live.
Speaking of nightclubs, what’s the best experience you’ve had playing live? And what’s the best show you’ve seen?
I think my best experience was AME Club in Brazil. The place was looking superb already, but the energy of the crowd made it for me. I could play whatever I wanted and they’d go nuts. Halfway I’ve started playing some techno and they just lost it, I was so happy. I can’t wait to come back. I would love to make a yearly show in there.
You worked with Markus Schulz and Dennis Sheperd on In Search of Sunrise 18. Tell me more about that release and your experience working with those guys. Markus is incredible, man. What a good dude!
ISOS has been my gateway into trance music. I’ve discovered the compilation with the mighty Volume 4 mixed by Tiësto and got hooked since then. When I was younger, my dream was to mix one of those compilations. Arny Bink from Black Hole approached me to do the compilation early last year and it’s been an honor to do this mix. I’ve tried to pay homage to the trance music I grew up with, and above all pay homage to the compilation series. I felt like I finished the game when I did this compilation, my ultimate dream has been achieved.
Are you working on any new singles right now or are you trying to put together your next full album release?
I’m working nearly 24/7 at the moment, trying to put up a release schedule for next year. I’m indeed working on my 3rd artist album (people consider X as an album so maybe it’s fourth?), it’s really time consuming. I’m also working on different other projects I can’t reveal just now.
How long have you been working with Enhanced Music and how are they helping you reach the masses?
My first release with Enhanced Music was nearly 10 years ago and we always worked closely with each other. In 2018 they proposed me a management deal and took care of my career since then. A lot of the things that happen to me nowadays wouldn’t have been possible without their help. They got the contacts, they got a good team, they know what they are doing.
What’s next for Matt Fax?
I think it’s time to take Matt Fax to the next step, I’ve been doing this for 10 years already, maybe it’s time to write a new chapter in this book?
We’ve talked about a lot here, man. Anything else you can tell me?
Well I’m super excited for next year and super grateful of the support I had this year. Thanks for having me for this interview by the way!
In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
“Neat.”
For more information about Matt Fax, go to:
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