Matt Lange
Matt Lange is an American DJ and producer based in Los Angeles. He is best known for co-producing "Goodbye" with DJ Glenn Morrison,[5] together with soundtracks for movies including Blade Runner 2049 and Ready Player One.[6] His use of modular synthesis and isorhythms in his musical productions have brought him notice.[7][8] Lange produced progressive house and deep house early in his career, before moving into techno production from 2015 onwards. Lange found his own label, Isorhythm, in 2011 as a platform to release his own music. He released his debut studio album, Ephemera, in 2015 through Mau5trap, which was later followed up with Isolated in 2020.
Matt Lange | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Altered Tensions |
Born | Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2007–present |
Labels |
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Website | mattlange |
Early life
Lange was born in Manhattan, New York.[9] As a four-year-old child, he was pushed by his parents into learning the piano, which he disliked to practice.[9] He later joined a boys' choir at the age of six, which he stayed with for six years.[10][11] After his voice changed, he left the choir and learnt how to play the guitar, which eventually led him to joining a hardcore punk metal band.[9] Lange's later interest in Aphex Twin and Nine Inch Nails spiked his interest in recording demos and learning how to produce music. Lange initially experimented with programming basic beats on Fruity Loops and Acid Pro, later mixing them with his recorded guitar audio.[12]
He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music,[13] where he studied music synthesis involving composition-based music production and sound design.[10][14]
Career
2007–2011: IsoRhythm
While Lange was writing his senior thesis in Berklee at the age of 21, he was introduced to American musician BT by his professor Dr. Boulanger who was BT's mentor.[12] This led to Lange working for BT while BT was making his album These Hopeful Machines, which was nominated for a Grammy award in 2011.[15] Lange earned a percussion credit on the track "Rose of Jericho". Prior to that, Lange self-released an IDM and glitch album in 2007 under his alias Altered Tensions, which was influenced by artists Richard Devine and Telefon Tel Aviv.[12][14]
Lange released his first official single in 2009 through Armada Music: "Anywhere With You Is Home" featuring singer Kerry Leva.[16] This continued through 2010 where he released "East Coast / Resonate" through Silk Music and "As the Rain Falls" with Ad Brown through Songbird.[17][18] After completing BT's album, Lange signed on to British label Anjunadeep through his connections with friend Andrew Bayer.[14] He then released a number of singles through the label, including "Rift",[19] "A Deeper Shade / Other Stories",[20] and "Quadcore", a collaboration with other Anjunabeats regulars Boom Jinx, Bayer, and Trifonic.[21]
In 2011, Lange founded his own label, IsoRhythm,[10] in response to his inclinations to release his music without dealing with the schedules and bureaucracies of other labels.[14] Through IsoRhythm, he released a few sample libraries and EPs of his own work.
2012–2014: "Goodbye" and co-productions
Lange continued to release a number of tracks throughout 2012, such as the Here & Back Again EP and "Bowed / Class B" with Canadian DJ Glenn Morrison.[22][23]
In 2013, Lange co-produced Morrison's single "Goodbye", which was nominated for Dance Recording of the Year at the 2015 Juno Awards and charted at #12 on the Billboard Canadian Top 100.[24][25] He also produced Portrait of a Chameleon for American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis, and Now or Never for French trance artist Tania Zygar.[10]
On July 14, 2014, Lange released his Stacatto EP through Anjunadeep, which comprises progressive house, deep house, and ambient tracks.[26] The EP was described as a "silent movie score" by Dancing Astronaut.[26] He also released "There She Goes" as a free download on December 10, 2014.[27]
2015–2016: Ephemera and Patchwork
In 2015, Deadmau5's label Mau5trap reached out to Lange upon hearing a techno track he had produced, and Lange responded by sending the label a number of his unreleased techno tracks.[12] Eight months later, Deadmau5 contacted Lange through Twitter to praise his "Scorched Earth Policy" track, and within two hours gave Lange a record contract.[9] Lange went beyond the label's original contract for an EP, and released his debut album Ephemera through Mau5trap on September 10, 2015.[28] To celebrate the album's release, Lange threw a party with InDeep and Mau5trap at Los Angeles' Sound Nightclub.[29][30]
Preceding the album's release were minimal techno lead single "My Love Aside",[31] glitch hop and industrial track "Lying to Myself",[32] "Ripples",[33] and "The Fever" featuring Quivver.[34] The techno album indicated a large shift in sound from his previous house releases, with Lange stating that Ephemera was mainly inspired by his self-built modular synthesizer system.[7] He also said that the "minimal and groove based" sounds in "My Love Aside" helped to increase his freedom and improvisation while DJing, since it allowed Lange to play looped pieces of multiple tracks at the same time without jumbling up.[7] A remix album for Ephemera was released on July 8, 2016, and consisted of remixes from Mat Zo, Anthony Baldino, Attlas, and Calyx & Teebee.[35]
Lange, together with other Mau5trap artists Attlas, Rezz, and Steve Duda, were announced for a collaborative Mau5trap Bus Tour in February 2016.[36] The tour brought them across North America, the first stop being Toronto.
On April 16, 2016, Lange released a seven-track EP titled Patchwork through Mau5trap, marking his second major release on the label.[37] While the first five tracks of the EP were labeled as techno, the final two songs were vocally-focused and described by Lange as "the most personal tracks [he has] ever written."[38][39] Lange stated that the EP was originally conceived to be of modular synthesizer based techno and expand on Ephemera's themes, but unexpected life events which he experienced caused the project's scope to increase overall.[38] Dancing Astronaut praised the variety of melodic and "harder" tracks in the EP, which the author alluded to Lange's skill with modular synthesis and sound manipulation.[39] Patchwork's last track, "Consider This", was later released as a single on April 29, 2016.[40]
He released his final single of 2016 on September 16, a techno track titled "Unsettled".[41][42] The song was premiered at the Smirnoff House Nocturnal Wonderland event with Mixmag.[41]
2017–present: Punish Me and Space Between
Lange continued to release a series of EPs in 2017: three-track Escapist on March 31,[43][44] rock-inspired[45] Punish Me on April 13 whose tracks featured vocals by Lange,[46] and Bleed Together on December 13.[47] Dancing Astronaut labelled Punish Me as Lange's "finest and most brooding bodies of work to date", continuing to praise the intimate and dark themes within the EPs tracks.[46] On February 8, 2017, Lange released an industrial cover of "Fade into You" by American alternative rock band Mazzy Star.[48] Lange mentioned that the blend of rock music, glitchy musical programming, and atmospheric elements in the song were "a look into what's coming next" in his career.[48] His original intention to remix "Clever Girl" from Punish Me also eventually transformed into the track "All You Need to See", which he released as a single on August 7, 2017.[45]
On April 13, 2018, Lange released his Diversions EP through IsoRhythm.[49] This was followed by "Are You Am I" on July 13, 2018, which featured Canadian artist Deniz Reno.[4]
On February 19, 2019, Lange released the lead single to his next EP titled "Space Between", co written with and featuring Canadian singer songwriter Deniz Reno, which combined elements of pop and progressive house.[1] The EP of the same name was later fully released on March 13, 2019, through Mau5trap.[50] In a press statement, Lange stated that Space Between "explores the sonic aesthetic [he has] been honing in on over the past year" while "combining outboard and modular synths with acoustic instrumentation".[51]
Lange was featured on Deadmau5's 2019 remix album Here's The Drop, with his remix of "Superbia (ov)".[52] He then returned to Anjunabeats after a period of five years with his release of "Every Word" on October 11, 2019.[53] The track was later included in Lange's Isn't It Lovely EP and featured as the first track on the Anjunabeats Volume 14 album.[54]
Lange's second studio album, Isolated, was released on October 27, 2020, through Isorhythm.[55] Lange's third studio album, Dichotomy, was released on August 5, 2022, also through Isorhythm.[56]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Ephemera (2015)
- Isolated (2020)
- Dichotomy (2022)
References
- Bein, Kat (February 19, 2019). "Matt Lange's 'Space Between' with Deniz Reno is a perfect pop of progressive house: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (September 9, 2015). "DA Premiere: Matt Lange – 'The Fever' feat. Quivver (Original Mix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- Khawaja, Jemayel (October 20, 2015). "Find out why Matt Lange is Deadmau5' secret weapon". Vice. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- Hernandez, Christina (July 16, 2020). "Matt Lange fashions gritty techno in 'Are You Am I', ft. Deniz Reno". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- GlobeNewswire (January 16, 2020). "Quincy Jones headlines Avid's stellar lineup of music creators for its 2020 NAMM show main stage events". Yahoo. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- Rogerson, Ben (March 13, 2019). "Matt Lange: 5 things I've learned about music production". MusicRadar. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (August 12, 2015). "Matt Lange premieres modular techno track 'My Love Aside' from new album Ephemera: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (February 5, 2016). "DA Premiere: Matt Lange's modular techno beast, 'QVCAMX'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "Breakdown: Deconstructing music production with Matt Lange". Avid. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- "Matt Lange biography". Resident Advisor. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- Lee, Valerie (March 28, 2016). "Attlas and Matt Lange in the lab LA". Mixmag. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- "Matt Lange – The MusicTech Interview". MusicTech. May 12, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- Carter, Dan Roy (October 9, 2014). "Good Morning Mix: Matt Lange dons his hand to the InDeep mix series". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- "Matt Lange Extended Interview". Keyboard Mag. November 29, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "Attlas and Matt Lange in the Lab". mixmag.net. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- "Anywhere With You Is Home (feat. Kerry Leva) - EP by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "East Coast / Resonate - Single by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "As the Rain Falls - EP by Ad Brown & Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "Rift - Single by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "A Deeper Shade / Other Stories - EP by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "Quadcore - Single by Boom Jinx, Andrew Bayer, Matt Lange & Trifonic on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "Here & Back Again - EP by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- "Bowed / Class B - Single by Matt Lange & Glenn Morrison on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- "Goodbye, Dance Recording of the Year 2015". Juno Awards. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- "Tomorrow's Hits: Glenn Morrison says hello with 'Goodbye'". Billboard. June 6, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- Dimperio, Allegra (July 2, 2014). "Matt Lange – Staccato EP [EP Review]". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- McGiverin, Jon (December 2, 2014). "Your EDM Premiere: Matt Lange – 'There She Goes'". Your EDM. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Orenstein, Carré (August 26, 2015). "Matt Lange - Music". Mixmag. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Edgerly, Brett (September 9, 2015). "Mau5trap's Matt Lange Set to Take Over Sound Nightclub for Album Release Party". Your EDM. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Rahman, Neal (September 10, 2015). "Matt Lange's Mau5trap debut stuns, release party at Sound Nightclub". Magnetic Mag. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Meadow, Matthew (July 20, 2015). "Mau5trap Announces the Signing of Matt Lange and his Debut LP 'Ephemera'". Your EDM. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Diaz, Jordan (August 25, 2015). "Matt Lange – 'Lying To Myself' (Original Mix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Hernandez, Christina (August 30, 2015). "Matt Lange – 'Ripples' (Original Mix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (September 9, 2015). "DA Premiere: Matt Lange – 'The Fever' feat. Quivver (Original Mix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Fabrick, Mark (July 25, 2016). "Matt Lange releases 'Ephemera: Remixes' on mau5trap". Your EDM. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (February 18, 2016). "Mau5trap announces new bus tour with Rezz, Matt Lange and more". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "Patchwork by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Rubinstein, Peter (May 1, 2016). "Matt Lange releases long-awaited Patchwork' EP through Mau5trap". Your EDM. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Hernandez, Christina (April 30, 2016). "Matt Lange wields synth mastery in Patchwork EP". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "Consider This (Radio Edit) - Single by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Lee, Valarie (September 15, 2016). "Matt Lange - Premieres". Mixmag. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Hernandez, Christina (September 17, 2016). "Matt Lange – 'Unsettled' (Original Mix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Lee, Valarie (April 3, 2017). "Essential: Matt Lange unleashes his menacing Escapist EP". Mixmag. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Bein, Kat (April 4, 2017). "Get lost in Matt Lange's three-track techno-trap Escapist EP: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (August 7, 2017). "Matt Lange – 'All You Need to See' (Original Mix)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Hernandez, Christina (April 13, 2017). "Matt Lange releases stunning new EP, Punish Me [EP Review]". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "Bleed Together - Single by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Sundius, Michael (February 14, 2017). "Matt Lange – 'Fade Into You' (Mazzy Star Cover)". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "Diversions - Single by Matt Lange on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Burke, Ashlee (March 13, 2019). "Matt Lange Releases New EP Space Between On Mau5Trap". Your EDM. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Gilmore, Grant (March 16, 2019). "Matt Lange releases highly anticipated Space Between EP". EDM Identity. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Middleton, Ryan (October 4, 2019). "deadmau5 releases Here's The Drop remix album with Tinlicker, Matt Lange, Pig&Dan and more". Magnetic Mag. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Alzgheibi, Husam (October 12, 2019). "Matt Lange returns to Anjunabeats on 'Every Word' feat. Kerry Leva". EDM Tunes. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- Alzgheibi, Husam (November 21, 2019). "Matt Lange delivers Isn't It Lovely EP on Anjunabeats". EDM Tunes. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "Isolated by Matt Lange on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- "Dichotomy by Matt Lange". Apple Music. Retrieved August 7, 2022.