Ant Brooks and Matteo DiMarr Interview

Ant Brooks and Matteo DiMarr Interview

18 October, 2011 | 1.57PM

• Written by: fullycharged
• Filed under: Music News : "ant brooks, dj lion, feel it, house music, interview, mar186, matteo dimarr, tech", vlada asanin

We caught up with DJs Ant Brooks & Matteo DiMarr to talk about their recent collaboration ‘Feel It’ on MAR186. This exclusive interview allowed me to discuss their newest release and what to expect with their current and upcoming projects.

Both of you are from different countries, Matteo in Canada and Ant in the UK. How did the collaboration on ‘Feel It’ come to life, and what was the process?

Matteo: Well, I had the privilege to remix one of Ant’s tracks a few years ago…we always kept in contact with each other. Then, a few months back, Ant sent me a track that he had started, all I did was add my flavor to the track and the outcome was totally unique sounding.

Ant:  We had been chatting online for a while, and then ended up with the same management. We were both playing each others tracks …so it was a natural move for us to work on some music together.

How would you describe this latest release to the listeners?

Matteo: Relentless driving roller…

Ant: It has both of our styles, as you will hear…Great groove and great drums. Check it out for yourself!

What would you say is the key component, Breakdown? Style of Production? Bassline?

Matteo: The fact that you have two producers from different countries with two of their own distinctive styles coming together…Having said all that, the bassline that Ant came up with… is sick.

Ant: For me, it’s the groove! If a track has a great groove I can listen to it for 7 minutes without any other major parts going on!

You are both well-established producers and DJs, tell us what ‘a day in the life’ consists of, and where and what inspires your work?

Matteo: I typically get up fairly early (having 2 kids, you don’t have a choice!). I’ll usually do label admin in the morning & and then fire up the studio computer after lunch. Although, I usually don’t like making beats in the morning (not a morning person) I do work fairly quickly. I can usually have the sketches of a song in a few hours. At this stage of my career, life in general inspires me; being happy, knowing what is important in my life. My passion waivers from time to time, but I always come running back to music like an old girlfriend that you can’t let go of.

Ant: Most days (and nights) are spent in the studio. I work pretty much every waking hour and find it hard sometimes to switch off. Inspiration can come from anywhere for me, from sitting in a coffee shop to listening to other music on Beatport etc.

In this day and age of the ‘Electronic DJ/Producer’ there is the Studio part, as well as the DJing part. What do you prefer, the studio or touring, and why?

Matteo: I have always been a studio guy. Being sort of an introvert, the studio compliments my personality. I do like gigging though; it’s exciting to see people’s reaction to your tracks.

Ant: I was djing long before I started producing, so it’s now 50/50 for me. One compliments the other. You can go out and test the new material you have been working on, then come back to the studio and make tweaks and changes if need be.

If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be and why?

Matteo: I would like to be paid for my work, the illegal downloads is killing it for me.

Ant: To stop the illegal downloading that’s going on, it’s killing the music industry.

How is the dance music scene in your city? What has been your most memorable gig? Who have you collaborated with, or would like too?

Matteo: The scene in Toronto is huge! I would say, one of the biggest in the world.  My most memorable gigs are the gigs I did for the ‘Size Matters’ tour in Miami. I haven’t done a lot of collaborations, the ones that I have done are because I liked that person first, before the music. I’ve been trying to do something with my nephew Mark Mendes for the last few years. It’s going to happen, just need to make the time.

Ant: The scene in my city isn’t that great, to be honest. I don’t have to travel too far though, as there are plenty of cities close by that have great nights going on. I’m looking forward to my first trip to Australia and then, the USA, as I hear both have great nights and scenes going on! I have collaborated in the past with Michael Woods, Matteo of course, Filthy Rich & Jon Rundell. I’m currently working on an EP with a guy called Diavlo who I’m tipping to have a great 2012! In the future, I’d love to work D.Ramirez, Pirupa, Nic Fanciulli, Steve Lawler and Carl Cox.

How did you get into the whole DJ culture and producing? Was a career in music always something you wanted to pursue?

Matteo: To be honest, I’m not into the “hands in the air” dj culture. I rarely frequent clubs; I actually don’t find them to be social. I got into producing because I’ve always been a creative person with a wild imagination and music has always been my outlet for that. When I finished high school, I either was going to be a chef or a producer. It just so happens that I was offered a recording contract at an early age and I went with that.

Ant:  I got hooked on music from an early age. Guys like Carl Cox and Sasha were playing at a club near me called ‘The Eclipse’ which was a key place when dance music exploded in the UK. I was only 7 or 8 at the time, but got hold of mix tapes!  It was from then on that music was the only career path I wanted to take. There really isn’t anything else I would want to do.

What has been your top 3 career highlights so far?

Matteo: My “M1-Feel The Drums” record from 1991, Scoring a Film and my discography as a whole.

Ant: My first play on Pete Tong’s Radio 1 show! My first Beatport overall top 10. Signing and working with Toolroom Records.

There are so many house, techno, tech house etc. DJs in the scene right now, do you think that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for a young DJ to create an individual sound and attract attention from a new audience?

Matteo: Yes, what will distinguish you from the rest is you need to develop your own sound. Copying somebody else will only get you so far.

Ant: I guess it is, yes. However, persistence is the key and many drop to the wayside. It’s those that truly want it that will get there eventually. It’s easy to get knocked back in this industry, but you have to take it constructively and learn from it.

Genres of music are continuously evolving, what position do you think ‘house’ will be on the musical block in 2012?

Matteo: It always comes back to house. The deep movement is growing.

Ant: House never goes away. I think there may become a new sub genre that evolves, but it all stems back to house music.

What can we look forward to in the near future in terms of releases and gigs?

Matteo: I’m working a sample pack for Loopmasters, as well as; currently working on new singles and on a South American & Australian tour for this fall & winter.

Ant: I have releases due on 1605 and Toolroom Records in the upcoming months and am working on some music for Great Stuff as we speak. Gig wise, I’ll be travelling round the UK, Indonesia and USA before the year is out. 

Where can you direct fans who would like to find out more about you, your music and scheduling?

Matteo: my website www.matteodimarr.com and social networking, www.facebook.com/matteodimarr

Ant: my website www.antbrooks.com and social networking www.facebook.com/djantbrooks or, you can check me out on www.soundcloud.com/antbrooksmusic

‘Feel it’ by Ant Brooks & Matteo DiMarr with Vlada Asanin & DJ Lion Remix is out now at Beatport http://www.beatport.com/release/feel-it/819505

Interview by Carla Julianna Sama

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