Updated 2 years ago
meets Matenda
October 2004
by Ari Davidov
Matenda (Denis Matenda) recently released his third album called “Tunnel Vision”. There is something for everyone there, but most recognize it for the special morning vibe that’s woven into each and every track. Born in Sweden, Denis got interested in music early in school. Military service, traveling around the world, diving and kickboxing have all at different times been part of his life since then. Later, focused on music production, he put together his own studio. Releases on Spirit Zone and Transient soon followed. His releases were also on Medium, Spiral Trax, Flow, Novatekk, Compact, Phonokol, Y.S.E, Natraj Temple, Global Trance Network, and Dance’n’dust. Recently, Denis also put out a chill album called “Chilling Matenda”. Denis has been actively involved with trance/progressive clubs in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he also plays as a resident DJ. The Matenda sound is undoubtedly on the minds and speakers of psytrance followers across the globe. Some insights from Denis then, on music=life.
Where are you now Denis, and what’s doing?
I am in Gothenburg, Sweden where I live and have my studio. For now I am working on some new hot tunes.
You started playing musical instruments early in life… was it formal training or all for fun at that point?
It was only for fun in the beginning and I think it’s important that it is fun in this early age for motivation to develop it to something serious later on.
As many of us, you cherish the influence early electronic music had on you. Was it an inspiring experience for you years ago to hear those fresh and unconventional approaches to music and its creation?
I think if you have an unconventional character you seek unconventional approaches to almost anything and when it comes to music, early electronic music was something very new, fresh and unconventional in a sense that the music had no borders when it first came out. Even if much of the electronic music today has limits, the different categories of electronic music continue developing.
What were some of your favorites then?
I am not good at remembering special artist names or the names of any special tunes, but I can remember a special tune when I hear it and what impact it did to me and for sure what inspiration it gave me for my music production. But if I have to choose one artist, it’s of course Jean Michel Jarre, he really gave electronic music a face.
In your early years, how did you first find yourself in the goa, psy and progressive trance movements?
A friend introduced me to the new sound in early nineties and then I got hooked on these new innovative sounds. I was always more into progressive trance and when Anti started Spiral Trax records, he showed that it was possible even for Swedish producers to release this kind of music.
You’ve been on quite a journey: traveling, playing all over… how does this shape you as a person?
If I was younger I would probably change as a person , but because I already had my traveling experiences before I started to play I don’t think my person has changed a lot. But still whenever someone want me to come and play it’s fantastic that I can come and reach out to people all over with something that I have created.
What kind of philosophy do you follow in life? How do you think your success as an artist is a result of following these principles?
I try always to be true to myself, and the result can be that when I make a track, I ask my self if I would buy this tune in a shop, and if I would, then I am really satisfied with the track. I always try to have deadlines and finish what I have started. And if something doesn’t work, I look forward and try to learn of my mistakes. It is important for an artist to know that you always can learn something new. If you think that you know everything than you are not gonna develop as a producer any further.
You’ve continued to pursue education while making and playing music. Which is more important to you personally?
I think both are important. The education is a nice guarantee in life and makes you calm. If you have alternatives in life you don’t have to be frustrated if something doesn’t work out. The difficulty to always work with music is that it can take the fun out of it. And if it’s not fun then you can’t create nice music.
What sort of a mind-set, on your part, goes into the creative process when you’re making music?
I don’t think I have any special mind-set. The best is to follow the natural flow combined with inspiration I get all around.
Your previous album was chill music… Do you find sticking to one genre limiting to you as an artist? Do you have a wider view in music?
It is very important in anything to develop and not to stagnate. It is also important to follow your natural development in music-making. If that is to do nice chill music or another kind of music, then of course you have to accept it and not let your self be stuck in one genre. So, yes I have a wider view in music.
How is the “Tunnel Vision” album doing with your fans?
For now I have only got nice reviews of the album, some people is saying that there’s more faster tracks and not that subtle like my first album “Energy Loader”, but because I released the album “Chilling Matenda” almost at the same time as Tunnel vision, I decided to separate slow easy tunes like the ones on Chilling Matenda album with more energetic dance-oriented tunes like the ones on the Tunnel Vision album.
At parties, do you usually like to play in the morning or at some other time?
I have to follow my music and it fits best in the early morning, even if sometimes, I would like to play earlier in night.
Any new music in the works right now?
Yes, after a long vacation I am back in the studio working on some new tunes and the inspiration is high!
Where is your performance schedule taking you over the coming months?
My next performance will take place in Stockholm, capitol city of Sweden.
More on Matenda can be found at www.matenda.com.
