Matthew Dear
Interview Marisa Brickman
Photography Leonard Greco
Texas-born, Detroit-bred Matthew Dear is arguably one of the most well known staples of contemporary electronica. His various mutations have gone from ghetto tech, to Detroit techno, to minimal, but nothing is as pop and quirky as his eponymous solo releases. With these records, his production work as Audion, and the Ghostly International record label he set up with a college friend in Michigan, his contributions to both music and the industry continue to evolve and surprise us all.
Last year’s release Black City is perhaps the most ‘now’ of all of Dear’s releases – now in the sense that it’s pop, dance and disco-y all at once. Full of hip-shaking rhythms and sounds that make you want to repeatedly punch the sky, Dear has firmly cemented the notion that it’s possible to make electronica for the masses. These lush and layered tunes sound far removed from when he graced the pages of ‘SUP just after Backstroke (Spectral Sound, 2003).
We caught up with Matthew fresh off a tour in Europe with Interpol and School of Seven Bells to cover some of the basics that we’ve always been wanting to know.
Where do you spend most of your time?
Lately, I have spent my time in vans and dressing rooms. When I am home though, I prefer a strong cup of coffee, the couch and the company of my dog.
If you could live anywhere where would you live and why?
New York is still the only place I want to be at the moment. Vacations to the beach and countryside are needed respites, but when its all said and done I simply cannot tear myself away from the city.
Is it tough trying to be on the business side of music and the artist side?
Ghostly has always focused on bringing amazing people into the work fold. We have an astonishing team in Ann Arbor, New York, and L.A. which really helps make being an artist my main priority. Aside from the face-to-face A&R, and the business surrounding my immediate career, I am reluctantly free from much of the tediousness.
Do you set any sort of parameters for the work that you do as Matthew Dear versus the work you do as Audion? How is the approach different?
I have no outspoken parameters or guidelines when producing my music. Naturally there are the unwritten rules. For example, the sound of your own voice isn’t a necessarily a decided affair, but there are strict guidelines holding it in place. The same is true for my music. It sounds a certain way, and comes to fruition through established routines. However, these feel as inalterably natural as the sound of my own voice.
Some people feel quite strong about being Matt Dear fans versus only being Audion fans – is that a common thing you encounter?
It’s a bit of a Venn Diagram. There are quite a few individuals I meet who seem to enjoy both projects. Some people simply knew me through techno first, and find it hard to separate the two genres when listening. They may love listening to “Frank Sinatra” when they are out of the club, but simply cannot justify my singing since they heard some Audion tracks earlier that night. So be it.
How do you feel about the rise of all this laptoptronica and live electronic music? The two person computer & a Moog is the new lo-fi bedroom indie.
I am for young people creating. Film, music, prints, anything. It is our responsibility as receivers to decide whether we like it or not. I have to look at the abundant wealth of new art as a blessing. Yes, I sift through a lot of mediocre material, but that’s better than not having anything to sift through at all.
Blogs – love them or hate them?
I don’t read many blogs. I enjoy photo collections though on sites like Tumblr. Just because you have the ability to write, doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Who would you consider to be the Godfather of techno? Of electronic music in general?
Kraftwerk.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are home?
Take my dog to the park and watch him meet other dogs.
What kind of bed sheets do you have? And do you have blankets or a duvet?
Basic white country linens and a quilt.
Coffee or tea and how do you take it?
Both actually. When I am home, I make deathly strong French press and pour over drip coffee. When I am touring, I try to drink more green tea, simply for it’s effect on my voice. I do buckle quite often though for bad hotel or airport coffee. I am a caffeine junky.
Best thing about your apartment in Brooklyn?
My wildebeest named Shaquille O’Neal.
Item you can’t live without on the road.
Elektron Octatrack Sampler. It’s great for being creative and compact.
Is Interpol worth seeing without Carlos?
They are a machine and an invaluable resource to see in action.
CDJs/Serato/Turntables/all three/or something else?
Traktor Scratch, Ableton Live and the good ‘ol Octatrack.
Out of all of the producers making music within electronic music, you are one of the most varied and diverse – you can make thumping techno, electro-pop and you are now even singing! Do you have a need to keep it diverse – where does this come from?
Birth.
Your mantra.
Control what you can control.
Your hero.
Humanity.
