{"id":142828,"date":"2020-10-16T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dancingastronaut.com\/?p=366461"},"modified":"2020-10-16T10:30:00","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T10:30:00","slug":"mat-zo-revels-in-return-to-anjunabeats-illusion-of-depth-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/earthquakemix.com\/boom\/?p=142828","title":{"rendered":"Mat Zo revels in return to Anjunabeats, \u2018Illusion of Depth\u2019 [Interview]"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Mat\n

Since exploding onto the scene with his 2013 debut album Damage Control<\/a><\/em>, Mat Zo<\/a> has built a reputation as one of electronic music’s brightest and most versatile producers. Originating in the trance space, the Grammy-nominated artist diversified his sonic craft early on, releasing under moniker MRSA<\/a> on the distinguished Hospital Records<\/a> while steadily outputting on Anjunabeats<\/a>, before venturing off into the corners of drum \u2018n\u2019 bass experimentalism with the creation of his label Mad Zoo<\/a>. For some time, Zo has zeroed in on his imprint’s success, releasing sophomore LP Self Assemble<\/a><\/em> in 2016 and a flurry of EPs, as well as spearheading A&R efforts with compilations like This is MAD ZOO<\/a><\/em> and its successor, This is MAD TOO<\/em><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the UK artist, consistent expeditions into new sounds have been a highly frequented path. As Zo has advanced his 14-years-and-counting career, his evolution has never ceased to reflect an ever-expanding vault of electronic material. Similarly, Anjunabeats has mirrored that trajectory in its development, harboring boundary-pushing acts like Spencer Brown<\/a>, Andrew Bayer<\/a>, and Gabriel & Dresden<\/a>. Now, Zo takes a momentary sojourn as he revisits familiar ground in his coveted Anjuna return, Illusion of Depth<\/a><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the course of the album, the Grammy-nominated producer fleshes out ideas, tied loosely by genres and confined by no definitions: he crafts worldly vocal chops amongst progressive structures in “Fly While You’re Still Free,” juxtaposes exotic percussions with atmospheric dusk in trance-inspired “Petrushka,” and dabbles with electro-rock hybridization in “Bruxism.” Meanwhile, the presence of collaborator and vocalist Olan<\/a> takes an unmistakable role in the otherwise nearly<\/em> feature-free record. With the Atlanta songwriter appearing on singles, “Colours<\/a>” and “Problems<\/a>,” as well as intimate ballad production “Paralysis,” the album possesses both range and unifying threads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In celebration of Illusion of Depth<\/em>, Dancing Astronaut<\/em> discussed Zo’s vision for the album, the role of drum \u2018n\u2019 bass in staying fresh, and blurring the lines between electronic and rock. Read the full interview below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n