Matt Migz

What’s your style/genre: I honestly have a difficult time answering this question, because often the style I DJ can be quite different from the music I produce. For DJing, my heart lies in the sounds of blistering underground techno and tech house. At the same time I love providing a vibey atmosphere, and you’ll find me playing sets that cover the genres of house, hip hop, jazz, and R&B.

How long have you been around: I started out in the band scene back in 2008, but I have been an independent artist since 2010. Growing up with a music background, this is about the time I started teaching myself music production and DJing, and I was lucky enough to build my performance abilities during the early days of Black Pirates Pub and Crocks.

Favourite song you cover: I have done my fair share of remixes in the past, but my most current and favourite remix is “Tokyo Drift (Underground Edit).” It’s a fast, grungy breakbeat remix of the original, and something you’d hear in a dark humid room.

Best song you’ve written: Last year I released Beat Tape, Vol. 1 and it was a very Phonk-inspired EP. Phonk is an internet subgenre gaining popularity, which takes influence from 90s Memphis rap, jazz, and modern hip hop. My favourite track from the EP is called “Retrograde”.

If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why: Justin Vernon, of Bon Iver. From a production standpoint, there are very few individuals who can continuously push a new level of expectation and ingenuity of sound design and place it into a cohesive body of work. I think he would provide unique perspectives of songwriting and production that would be applicable to any genre.

What would be your dream gig: Dream gig would have to be at the Fabric Nightclub in London, England. The venue is such a right of passage for artists, and I believe the soul of electronic music still remains in the U.K. It would be a proper night.

What’s new: Since live shows became scarce when the pandemic began, I focused mainly on music production over the last two years, and I have been working with a Los Angeles-based multimedia creative agency called Spaced Visuals. I’ve got to be a part of some really cool collaborations, including one with Megan Thee Stallion and Mortal Kombat. I have also been preparing some new music releases, and the return of the Green House at the Centennial Botanical Conservatory on January 29, 2022.

What’s the best thing about being part of the TBay music scene: How welcoming, supportive, and connected everyone is. You can leave the city for years, and when you return, the people here will make you feel like you have never left. I genuinely miss the individuals who have pushed the music, entertainment, and food culture in our downtown core. They have truly built the foundation for the generations beyond ours.

Contact: Instagram: @mattmigz Website: mattmigz.com