DJ Matt B – “I Really Don’t Listen To House Music Often”

If you were to look up where House Music was born, from the Deep Disco days to the WBMX days the answer would be Chicago. Chicago is also where Matthew Baltazar better know as Matt B was also born & raised. Matt has played at almost every club/venue in Chicago. From coast to coast and many cities in between, playing alongside some of the globes biggest djs/producers such as Erick Morillo, Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero, Felix Da Housecat, Oscar G, Diplo, CZR, Derrick Carter, Green Velvet/Cajmere, Bad Boy Bill, Gene Farris, Mickey ‘Mixin’ Oliver, Paul Johnson, Ron Carroll, Dj Funk, the entire Ghetto Division and many more up and coming djs/producers. No newcomer to the scene Matt Has been djing for over 16 years and is on the rise to bigger and better things. Recently getting into music production with friend Rob Threezy, be looking out for Matt’s bootlegs, edits, and original material as well. Keep an eye out for Matt, he’s coming to an event near you!

Q&A by S&S

S&S: What’s your style of music? How do you describe it?
DJ Matt B: House, Techno & everything in between.

S&S: Who or what was most instrumental to you when it came to music?
DJ Matt B: The early pioneers of the mid to late 80’s. I was very fortunate to be able witness that era. All my older sisters & the kids in the neighborhood grew up listening & taping the weekend mixshows on wbmx, wgci ect…

S&S: What drives you creatively?
DJ Matt B: The love & passion of the art, but also other djs & producers that I look up to. If they are doing something that I really like. I want to do something similar with my own touches.

S&S: How much does your audience influence you and your music selection?
DJ Matt B: Very much, I want to please them just as much as the music pleases me. I feed off the crowd.

S&S: What artists or genres do you listen to when you’re not working?
DJ Matt B: Alot of different artists & genres. Lots of rock, alternative, some hip-hop as well. Metallica, R.H.C.P, Foo Fighters, S.O.A.D, Prince, Wu Tang, New Order… that list is a mile long. I really don’t listen to House Music often unless I’m working on it or digging in the cyber crates for it. But then again, I’m always digging for something new or an old gem I slept on.

S&S: Do you have any favorite memories of growing up with your family?
DJ Matt B: Tons! I can go on & on. I’m still creating favorite memories with my family. We have a big family that keeps growing and that are really tight with each other.

S&S: Is there anything you would like people to know about you?
DJ Matt B: I’m a pretty private person when it comes to my personal life nowadays. Other than that I’m an open book. I want people to know what ever it is that they want to know.

S&S: Are there any charities you are working with or excited to tell us about?
DJ Matt B: Not at the moment, no charities that i’m working with, but I am helping plan & playing a free, all ages for the family outdoor house music picnic in the park on the southside of Chicago August 15th. I play a good amount of events like that for free to try and do my part and give back. I’m pretty excited for that.

S&S: Are there any questions that you wish people would ask you?
DJ Matt B: Sure, question that they wanna know about me.

S&S: And on the flip side of that, are there any questions or references you wish people would stop asking or using?
DJ Matt B: Yes people, my mustache is real. Stop asking LOL.

S&S: What artist(s) have you been the most excited to work with?
DJ Matt B: My good friend & partner Rob Threezy. He’s such a talented young guy from Chicago with releases on great labels such as Green Velvet’s Relief Records & Bart B More’s Secure Recordings and lots of others. Also another really young good friend of mine Alex Delgado.aka Alejandro. He spent last summer in London & now this kid is on fire! These young cats will be making some serious noise soon!

S&S: Are there any artists that you dream of working with on a collaboration?
DJ Matt B: I am blessed to have actually become good, personal friends with some of the guys I used to & still look up to. I dreamt of & still would love to work with my boys Felix Da Housecat, Harry ‘Choo Choo’ Romero, CZR. But also people like Prince, Danny Daze, Murk, Radiohead, Daft Punk, Green Velvet/Cajmere, Steve Hurley, Adele. Again, I can go on for days with this one.

S&S: What can we look forward to next from you?
DJ Matt B: Lots of things. New material, tracks, parties, events, mixes. The whole shabang!

S&S: What legacy would you like to leave?
DJ Matt B: One with music that will stand the test of time. Music that people will be playing 20 years from now. When I’m long gone.

Q&A By: Shannon “Skip” Syas – S&S Chicago

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