Norwegian DJ and producer Matoma has quickly joined the ranks of electronics’ most popular and innovative stars. He’s performed all around the world and is known for hit songs including “All Night” with the Vamps and “I Don’t Dance” with Enrique Iglesias. Earlier this year, he released his latest body of work titled “The Power”, which finds him returning to his roots. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Matoma about his career, “The Power”, and more.
PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Matoma: I discovered my passion for music through a variety of influences when I was a kid. For example, my brother introduced old-school hip-hop to me when I was only seven or eight. Even though I didn’t understand the lyrics or the sentimental value of it, I still really enjoyed it. It was when I was older that I started to read more and understand the cultural barrier I had coming from Norway. I really grew interested in it and found it quite fascinating to learn about American hip-hop culture. I also started playing the piano when I was seven or eight years old.
PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Matoma: I would say over the years, up until I broke into the industry, the person who influenced me the most has been my brother. From the time I started making music at the age of sixteen, he always pushed me to believe in myself and my musical dreams. Now that I have made a career in music, I would have to say my team and my girlfriend. Without them and their influence, it wouldn’t be possible to do what I do.
PC: You’ve had so much success throughout your career. When you look back, is there a moment that stands out?
Matoma: Getting the phone call from Ian Hunter at Atlantic as one of their A&Rs wanting to sign me as an artist was such a monumental moment in my musical career. Playing Coachella in 2016 was also a big, big stand out.
PC: You’ve collaborated with some of music’s biggest artists. How have those experiences pushed you as a creative?
Matoma: Each collaboration is truly unique in how the collaborator can bring life to a song, inspire me, and challenge me. Regardless of the popularity of the collaborator, I really push myself to bring the highest standard of writing and production and do the song justice! I get the greatest inspiration from incredible voices and writers that convey pure emotion, and it always pushes me to embrace and enhance the emotion in the production of the song.
PC: Tell us about the inspiration behind “The Power”.
Matoma: The inspiration behind “The Power” was going back to my roots of house music. When I was a kid, I loved trance and house from the ’90s era, and a lot of the inspiration from “The Power” is exactly that. Also inspiration from my childhood, same as when I was making “Tropical House”. I used inspiration from my childhood to influence the music I was making. It seems to be working because all the feedback so far on “The Power” is really overwhelming.
PC: You’ve used your platform to bring awareness to causes and initiatives that you’re passionate about. How did you discover your voice as an advocate?
Matoma: To be honest, I feel I could do more, but with limited time and resources, the initiatives and awareness I have managed to highlight and bring to light are things that I am really proud and passionate about. I hope some time in the near future I’ll take my career to the next level so I can do even more and focus more on bringing good to the world.
PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2022, what can fans expect from you?
Matoma: There is definitely new music in the direction of “The Power”—more house-leaning sounds with a sense of industrialist and drum elements. Rawness but catchy and soulful melodies with of course that feel-good touch from me. I have also tried to get myself involved more in posting on TikTok. I find it really fun and engaging. Being 31 years old and coming from the SoundCloud era, it’s hard to always follow the trends, but I’ve grown to like the concept of TikTok, as long as everything is balanced.
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Matoma: John Mayer, Coldplay, Matt Corby, Ben Howard, Enya, and Aurora.
PC: First album you bought?
Matoma: Trance Hits 2000 and the Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die.
PC: First concert you attended?
Matoma: A piano rock & roll concert in Sweden when I was fourteen years old with the Swedish entertainer and pianist Robert Wells. Later it was Ice Cube in Oslo at Rockefeller. That was insane.
PC: An album that changed your life?
Matoma: Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die.
PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Matoma: Headlining Red Rocks in Denver would be a bucket list goal. I’ve given myself two years to try to accomplish that.
PC: A must-have on the road?
Matoma: Coffee and my ProArt laptop to produce music on.
To keep up with Matoma, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Listen to “The Power” wherever you stream music.
Photo Credit: Michael Ray Vera Cruz Angeles
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