MATT GUY: RETRO-RAVE HITMAKER

If you need any more evidence that retro rave sounds never really go away, just check out what Matt Guy’s been doing lately.

In late 2022, the U.K.-based DJ/producer struck it big with “Set My Mind Free,” an Armada release that samples Tony Terry’s 1989 groover, “Forget The Girl.” With bigtime radio support from BBC’s Radio 1 to regular play from a diverse group of global jocks (Solomun, Fisher, Joseph Capriati, etc.), the anthemic track remained an airwave and dancefloor fave through the New Year. Now he’s back with his followup, “The Devil,” another ecstatic, sample-happy banger, this time with a bite from 666’s 2000 bomb, “D.E.V.I.L.”

As Matt Guy looked forward to a big 2023, we caught up with the Nottingham-based jock to discuss his recent good fortune, his influences, and his gear.

DJ LIFE: What made you want to pursue electronic music?

Matt Guy: My influences and drive to pursue music actually came quite late on. It might sound cliché, but it was my first trip to Ibiza at the age of 18 that sparked everything. I loved the energy, and music seemed to sound even better out there. Prior to that time, I’d actually dabbled in singing… long before the voice broke!

DJ LIFE: Was there a DJ or producer that first got your attention?

Guy: I’ve always been absolutely fascinated by Carl Cox. The way he performs and takes you on a journey is pretty mindblowing! It’s hard to pick out individual producers, but I’m very influenced by that oldschool ’90s rave sound.

DJ LIFE: Retro vibe tunes always seem to resonate in the dance-music world. What is it, do you think, that keeps interest in that ’90s style? What attracted you to those sounds?

Guy: For me, it’s the energy and how uplifting the vibes are. Nothing beats strings, pianos, and organs to lift the mood! It has a sense of euphoria, and you can’t help but dance.

DJ LIFE: What are your favorite ’90s records and why?

Guy: Praga Khan’s “Injected With A Poison” – I could listen to this tune on repeat, and quite often do. Dominica’s “Gotta Let You Go” – this tune is iconic for me. The vocal and organ riff always sends the gaff wild. DJ Seduction’s “Sample-Mania” – this is an absolute work of art. The way this legend created tracks is pure genius, in my opinion.

DJ LIFE: Your music has received support from a very diverse range of DJs –why do you think that’s the case?

Guy: I’m really humbled by the support my tracks have received, and it’s amazing to see them work in so many settings. I think it’s down to the tracks being versatile, in the sense they can be sped up or slowed down, and sound completely different. Solomun slowed “Set My Mind Free” right down, and gave it a whole new vibe. It’s like to think my tracks quite often create a moment on the dancefloor that the ravers will remember.

DJ LIFE: Tell me about “Krupa,” your tune that borrows from Apollo 440 with the sample from “Taxi Driver.” It’s a real banger.

Guy: Well, I can’t really take any credit for the “Taxi Driver” sample, as that’s all down to Apollo 440, but I basically just loved their version and knew it had potential to be a proper dance tune. It was a lot of messing around in the studio, but I finally got there, and I’d say this track was part of my journey to cementing my style.

DJ LIFE: “The Devil” also slams pretty hard – tell us about the influence and process for that one.

Guy: I actually had the vocal sample [from 666’s “D.E.V.I.L.”] and it sat on my laptop for a while. I always wanted to use it, then I had a lightbulb moment after putting together an instrumental. Was so happy when the sample got cleared and we had a release date in mind. CamelPhat played in at Creamfields in 2022, which went off in every way I’d hoped.

DJ LIFE: What’s the club scene like in Nottingham?

Guy: There’s some great clubs in Nottingham and I owe so much to the city. It was such a great experience to run club nights and play across the city for several years at venues like The Cell. I still live in the area and would consider myself a Nottingham boy through and through!

DJ LIFE: Talking studio gear, what’s your DAW? Monitors? Vital hardware? Fave plug-in?

Guy: My set-up isn’t overcomplicated, I use a MacBook, Native Instruments MASCHINE and [Komplete Kontrol] S49 keyboard. I use Ableton Live to build all my tracks, then bounce the stems over to Logic for working on the mix and master. In terms of favorite plug-in, I think it would have to be [Wavosaur’s] RaveGenerator, as it’s free and helped me make “Party Starter.”

DJ LIFE: Which producer/ remixers do you most admire and why?

Guy: Solomun is the one I look up to most here. Whether it’s an original or remix over the years, it is always absolute gold. That remix of Noir & Haze’s “Around” is one of the best house tunes of all time, in my opinion.

DJ LIFE: In the DJ booth, what gear do you use? How would you describe your style of DJing?

Guy: My set-up is all Pioneer DJ gear – three CDJ-3000 decks, a DJM-V10 mixer and HDJ-X10 headphones. For me, it doesn’t get any better. The V10 has been an absolute gamechanger to my sets. The additional mid EQ paired with the super-clean filter and added effects makes for really tight mixing.

DJ LIFE: Which DJs do you admire?

Guy: I have so much admiration for the DJs who have supported me along the way, in particular Solomun, Eli Brown, Viviana Casanova and Solardo, who have also provided advice, as well as getting behind my records.

DJ LIFE: Any advice for young DJ/producers who want to move up the ladder?

Guy: I think the best piece of advice I received and now would give is to spend time honing in on your sound, what inspires and excites you the most, and what makes you different to the other aspiring DJs/producers.

DJ LIFE: What’s next for you?

Guy: I’m so excited for this year, kicking it off with the release of “The Devil” on Armada Music, followed by so much new music, which I can’t wait for people to hear! Some real bucket-list gigs on the way, too!

– Jim Tremayne