When Matt Tolfrey’s on the DJ bill for the night you know what you’re in for: a proper party. No matter the time and place (a dim warehouse or the cozy Marcy hotel living room), Tolfrey has the crowd in the palm of his hands. We can say this assertively because we’ve seen it with our own eyes. He’s got his DJ sets down to a science that involves just the right dose of taste, talent and Tolfrey – the mystery ingredient to his formula that separates him from the rest.
Apart from being an international staple on the scene, Tolfrey is also the mind behind the flourishing Leftroom imprint, home to a family of deep techouse and minimal tech stars such as Inxec and Eric Johnston. Ambition and hard work are the fuel behind Tolfrey’s catapulting career and finally all that energy is starting to pay off. He’s on a roll this year with a handful of successful releases and a US label tour under his belt. Moving forward he’s got a couple of new sub-imprints on the line (Left’d, Foot & Mouth) and at the turn of the New Year he’s got a stream of hot releases scheduled to come out featuring noteworthy artists such as Lee Burridge, Guti and lady of the moment, Maya Jane Coles – to name a few. Amidst touring, producing and stirring up dance floors we caught up with Tolfrey and chatted about his next aspirations (there will always be more), his secret to success and why Leftroom is all about the funk.
AUTOBRENNT: Have you ever encountered a creative block along your career, and if so, how did you overcome it?
Matt Tolfrey: I have not produced enough music solo to hit a block just yet. Sometimes things take longer in the studio to come together when I am working with other people, but I can safely say I have never hit that wall. I think if it ever happens I will just take a little time off and find some inspiration again. Being creative is a lot harder than people think, sometimes you’re on a roll, sometimes you need to sit back and take in what’s around you.
A: If you could work or collaborate with anyone in the world right now, who would it be and why?
MT: There are many, but one for sure would be Matthew Dear. I would love to know how he stays so motivated and how he works so hard in the studio all of the time. The one project of his that interests me the most is his band work. I used to be in bands when I was younger, playing the bass and sometimes singing, so I would love to work on a project like that again, especially with him.
A: I read in the recent article in RA that you have two new labels on the way. Can you elaborate a little more on these projects?
MT: Left’d is a digital only label we started to push some new music by new artists I am interested in at the moment. The idea is that you release some music on Left’d and if it goes well and the music keeps flowing afterwards, then we move you onto the main Leftroom label.
Foot & Mouth is an edits and bootleg label started to add a bit of fun to this sometimes stressful life in the industry, and also to help support vinyl. This genre of music is still selling very well on vinyl as it crosses over so well, so it is always fulfilling to know you are helping the cause. We have some amazing stuff lined up from some great artists, old and new, so keep an eye on this label for sure.
A: What’s the most fulfilling or gratifying part of your career?
MT: I would definitely say it is meeting people, and making amazing friends all over the world. The work side of things is great, and is always improving as you play better and better gigs, and increase your profile, but nothing beats the close friendships you make all over the world, that without this job, would not be possible.
A: Favorite DJ compilation(s) ever made that you highly recommend?
MT: There was a free CD on the front of a really old Muzik magazine back in the day in the UK called ‘The Ibiza Cheese Free’ mix by Layo and Bushwacka! It is a much more laid back, groovey affair with loads of trip hop and light breaks on it, but the way it is put together is amazing. It is the perfect after party mix, and every time I play it at my house after a big night out I always have people burning copies of it.
A: What happens in the studio when you’re working on a track, and it turns out brilliantly? How do you feel, how do you react? I mean if we’re losing ourselves on the dance floor, I always wonder how you must feel.
MT: There are times in the studio when I am running around the place like a headless chicken shouting things like ‘that’s it, that’s it, that’s what I’m talking about’ and other embarrassing stuff like that. It is good fun when you get it, but you can also get lost in the studio working on certain things for half a day and then not even use them.
A: Are you a live-in-the-moment-go-with-the-flow kind of guy? Or do you have some kind of long term plan for where you’d like to see your career going?
MT: I don’t think you can get anywhere in life, or what you do unless you set yourself goals and I have done it all the way through my career. I just make sure they are reachable, hit them, and then set myself new ones. I want a family at some point, and I am not getting any younger, so that comes into my future plans, but I am in no hurry to push my career to hard so that I burn out, or end up disappointed.
A: What would you say is distinct about Leftroom, compared to other labels?
MT: That is probably a better question to ask fans of Leftroom, as it is hard to sometimes describe something so close and personal to you. If I did have to say anything, I would say that everything on Leftroom has that essence of funk to it that we have been known for from day one 5 years ago. I only sign music that I will 100% play and support, and as you know from my DJ sets, they are normally full of tracks that make you move. I take a lot of pride in the music I sign, and a lot of hard work goes into it with the amount of demos we get sent week in, week out.
A: What’s next for Leftroom after your tour?
MT: Leftroom-wise, we have just moved distributors back from Germany to the UK, and have everything set in place now to have a very big 2011. We are pushing some new artists, and as always our current Leftroom team, but keep an eye out for Waifs & Strays, Laura Jones and Lazaro Casanova!
The next 3 releases are as follows:-
Left020 – Leftroom 20th release with tracks by Inxec & Shadi Megalla, Pablo Cahn, MarcAshken, and Eric Johnston & Myself.
Left021 – Christopher Sylvester and Mark Chambers EP with Guti and Maya Jane Coles remixes.
Left022 – Lee Burridge EP with Lazaro Casanova remixes.
