IN CONVERSATION WITH MATHAME
Interview by SAMO ŠAJN
Mathame is an Italian DJ and producer duo, originating from the stunning volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna. Their music creates immersive experiences, blending the surreal and the real. With their debut LP, MEMO, they've collaborated with global talents and achieved over six million streams on Spotify. Recognized by Forbes as one of the 15 Best Albums of 2023, Mathame is ready to take you on an unforgettable sonic journey.
Can you share the story of how Mathame came to be?
We are two brothers with a 12-year age difference. While Amedeo was growing up, Matteo was already playing in small local clubs. It was a natural process that started almost as a game, after work. The rest is history.
What inspired you to start your career as a DJ and producer duo?
We have always loved the culture of electronic music and have always nurtured the dream of being part of it and contributing to it. We have always believed in our ability to innovate, and in the healing power of music, especially dance music, as it can engage the body on a very deep level.
Your debut album "MEMO" received significant acclaim and opened doors for major collaborations. Looking back, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in creating this album, and how did they influence the final product?
Managing such an ambitious project in terms of sound and creativity was difficult. But if I have to point out one thing, it would probably be maintaining stylistic coherence. It's not easy while growing, being influenced, and being on tour.
With electronic music constantly evolving, how do you stay creatively inspired and continue to innovate without losing what makes you unique?
As I said before, that is the challenge. Often, things just "come" naturally from something that triggers inside us, from our sensitivity. We are like a giant AI that absorbs inputs and processes them with our own taste. We have always set compositional rules for ourselves, and this has certainly helped us stay true to our identity.
What was the experience like for you performing at Loveland Festival and were there any memorable moments that stood out during your set?
The crowd was definitely the most unexpected element. They were amazing from beginning to end. It’s always an immense emotion for us to feel so much energy from the audience.
You’ve played at various venues worldwide. Are there specific places or crowds that stand out as particularly memorable or inspiring for you?
Yes, we have some favorite places. Definitely at the top of the list are Argentina and Lebanon, competing with Mexico, France, and Spain. Recently, cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and New York have also made a huge impact, but in a more mental and subtle way. In any case, it’s the warm countries, full of passion and love, where we feel a deep connection with the music we make.
What’s next? Any upcoming projects or releases you can share with us?
Neo. We’ve built a statue representing a meditating cyborg, 4.5 meters tall. Now we’re going on tour with a statue twice the size and a completely new show. We’re a bit tired of seeing LED walls as the central element of a show. First stop, New York. We’re going back to the physical, back to music and light. We promise “ you’ll be immersed in a world of light.
