Matt Harper Lets Duran Duran Influence Him To Remix An Original Single
Matt Harper returns with a vibrant new single that incorporates a slew of pop-riddled and dance-influenced styles and approaches, bringing out this unbelievably vivacious soundscape that is incredibly infectious right from the get-go.
The latest single is packed with percussive elements that drive it through the roof. Now, this is not overly edgy or alternative. This is a bright and sort of colorful dance-pop single that incorporates electronic music at its forefront, so it's got all of these different styles kind of rolled up into one fat single, and it's got loads of layers.
Well, the track is called "Moving On The Dancefloor (Rio Mix)," and this is a new mix of a single he released last year on an EP called The Truth.
Now, getting the itch to do a different mix of a track previously released is something that happens to specific kinds of songwriters and producers.
This particular edge came from listening to Duran Duran's Rio album and wanting to spice up his original track with the same kind of vibes he was soaking in from listening to that record.
Hence the title (Rio Mix), of course.
So, this version has a new set of synths and keys, and where the original version had a little bit of extra space, this one is just packed with tones and texture.
As I mentioned before, there are loads of layers happening, and they're all sort of coming at you with this spirited and, yes, very danceable tonality.
I think one of the biggest things that hits about this track is its energy. The energy is uncanny. It's really up there, and it doesn't stop. The energy level doesn't let up, even for a moment, and that's something that is pretty impressive, especially for a track that actually does lend a hand to not just classic dance-pop and electronic music, but some of those '80s pop factors as well.
You can tell that it is someone who's influenced by a lot of different kinds of music in general. Obviously, pop is really up there, but I feel like electronic music in general is at the top of that list. He is very experimental when it comes to sound-sculpting, utilizing all different kinds of synths and keys and molding them to whatever shape he wants.
This particular release is an example of how he's able to build on something and make it bigger, brighter, more full-bodied, and just rich with flavor.
He basically took his original track, which was great in the first place, and sort of elevated it. Even if elevated is not the exact right word, he took it to a bit of a different place. He let it branch off, and he brought a bit more sounds to it that let it hit a little bit harder and shimmer a little bit more.
The bass line is definitely a big element that drives this track. It's got deep-pocketed grooves and really helps the rest of the song flow forward.
The vocals also have that hint of '80s pop to them. You can hear these sort of classic, almost New Wave vocal approach influences that Matt holds close to his heart coming through in his performances.
Certain artists probably write more than we know. He probably has loads of scratch tracks or songs that are just unreleased at this point. I feel like he's that kind of producer. He's that guy who holds on to certain things, but then another idea comes into play, and he jumps to that instead.
I kind of dig that about artists like him. Just having that influx of creative flow be sort of intense enough to have you passionately and excitedly jump to the next new idea.
After all, that's how remixes like this one come to fruition in the first place.
The snare drum and some of the other percussion have a great little reverb effect on them. That snare really pounds and cuts through everything, which adds to some of that closed-fisted pop overtone.
I think that hint of reverb on some of the instrumentation also digs into the classic, almost vintage pop sounds that we all know and love.
That kind of stuff was always sort of drenched in reverb effect and distanced.
It was just part of the sound, and we can hear that Matt wanted that to be an element in this track as well.
He was really able to build a kind of atmosphere in a static here that has some heart.
I also love that he didn't hold back about where the idea came from and straight-up named the track the Rio Mix.
I would definitely suggest jamming this one out at a good volume level.
Also, like I mentioned before, go check out The Truth EP, because there's some other songs on there that are also awesome, and you can hear the original version of "Moving On The Dancefloor."
Listening to the track with headphones on really lets you soak in that bass line better. Or in the car. Listening to it with big, fat, deep car speakers has the same kind of effect.
Just saying.
So, after listening to the track, I knew I wanted to ask Matt a few questions about where this all comes from, what may be coming up next, and more.
So, while you dig on this new single, have a read through of our interview with Matt Harper below.
As always, remember where you heard it first.
Okay, first off, welcome back, and thanks for doing this with us!
Let’s get right into “Moving on the Dancefloor (Rio Mix)”!
This was quite a fun and vivacious track! Where did this come from exactly?
So, it was inspired by the Rio album. I just love the whole vibe and especially the bass lines that John Taylor created.
Are you working on more releases right now?
I’m working on a cover version yet to be recorded, but tested out live, and it goes down really well. It’s a real change to my usual music.
Yes, big time. I was a huge fan in the early years in particular. Rio is, I think, their best album.
Can you give us some others?
Depeche Mode, of course, OMD, Soft Cell, Japan, and many, many more.
Do you do any live performing, or is this a studio project?
I’ve been performing live for 2 years at various electronic events, festivals, and support slots for more established acts all over the UK.
Do you self-produce your own stuff?
To a degree, but I use a producer called Ryan Davies who does the final mix for me. I can never achieve what he does on my own. He knows how to give the tracks polish and oomph.
Do you have a home DAW setup you work with normally?
I use Cubase to record. I don’t use any sequencers; it’s all played in and tidied up if needed. I go into a studio to add the vocals and do some of the production work, then send all the stems over to Ryan, who has free rein to take it where he feels it needs to go.
Did this particular mix take a long time to finish?
Only a few days. I wrote it in two weekends and did the vocal the weekend after in 2 hours.
What would you say people can expect from this track?
Hopefully they like the groove. It’s old school in a way but danceable, I think, though I’m not a great dancer, so maybe I’m totally off the mark there.
Do you think this release represents you as an artist, or would you say you branch out a bit more musically?
It’s a bit of a switch from recent stuff I’ve done, which had a rockier edge to it.
Do you sit in on your own mixing?
No, but I do direct Ryan to make changes if I’m not totally happy with it.
What’s coming up next for you as a songwriter and producer?
I’m going to write some new material over the next few months. Whether it becomes an EP or an album, I don’t know. As yet, I only have ideas in my mind.
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