Celebrating over a decade in the industry, French DJ and producer Matt Fax has by now firmly established himself as a pillar of the melodic house and progressive scene. With a loyal, global fanbase and half a million monthly listeners on Spotify alone he is now widely considered one of the leading producers responsible for pushing the progressive melodic sound forward.

Set for release in July 2023, his new 15-track album Story Of The Fall traverses a wide range of electronic-subgenres. From club-ready, gritty basslines and cascading synths to melodic, vocal-led cuts, The Story Of The Fall embodies Matt’s 11-year path to the global heavyweight he is today, and lays the foundations for his sound for the future.

Throughout Story Of The Fall, Matt artfully blends the driving energy of progressive house, the emotive melodies of trance, and the raw depth and punch of bass music, resulting in a harmonious fusion that transcends sub-categorisation and offers a diverse listening experience.

WWD: Welcome back to When We Dip! Thanks for talking to us – how’s 2023 treating you so far?

Thanks for having me, it’s been a while! 2023 been amazing so far, I’ve been very busy touring and writing music, I don’t have to complain.

WWD: It’s has indeed been a while since we last spoke to you Matt. Congrats on the new album. How does it feel to be on the verge of releasing this one?

I’m excited but a little anxious. I’m really looking forward to hear what people think about it. I’m also happy to release this one to close this chapter of my life and start a new one.

WWD: The sound of ‘Story of the Fall’ has certainly developed from the sound with which you established yourself. What was the catalyst for this change?

Life essentially. I’ve been going through a lot of dark things over the past 3 years which I’ve never expressed publicly. I’ve seen myself and my entourage change, and some of the things I’ve witnessed turned me into a grumpy, angry man. I’ve been also dealing with depression for the past couple of years. In this storm, my music taste changed and I wanted to head towards darker vibes to express how i was feeling at that time.

WWD: In an ever-evolving electronic music landscape, how do you maintain a distinct artistic identity while also staying relevant to changing trends and audience expectations?

I think I just do whatever I want to do. I think it’s important to evolve in order to keep your fan base growing and educate them to new things. If you do the same thing over and over, people will get bored at some point, and you will be too, because it’s no longer exciting or challenging anymore.

WWD: Are there any personal favorite tracks on the album, or tracks that are getting an especially good reaction when you’re playing them out?

‘The Abyss’ always have a great reaction on the dance floor, I like playing that one. Personally my favorite tracks are “Somber”, because it’s my first attempt at doing dubstep and sound design, and “Fire”, as it was the track that defined the direction of the record. I wanted something complex, dark, and forward thinking.

WWD: Collaboration has become increasingly prevalent in the electronic music industry, and there are lots of collabs on the album. How do you choose your creative partners, and what do you think makes a successful collaborative effort?

My management is often responsible for those collabs as they reach to vocalist and song writers. Then I do a selection depending on the demos I get. Usually we work remotely, but on this record we had a couple of studio Sessions that sparked brand new tracks, and it’s great to be in a room with people who have the same vision as you. It’s all about going in the same direction together.

WWD: As an artist, you likely receive both praise and criticism for your work. How do you handle feedback, both positive and negative, and how do you believe it contributes to your growth and development as an artist?

I have a hard time dealing with negative feedback and criticism, especially when I’ve put so much of my soul in the work that’s being criticized. But it’s in the human nature, you can have a thousand lovely messages, if you get one negative or harsh comment, it’ll ruin your day. I try to work on this to try and accept that everybody can’t love what you do, but yeah sometimes it’s hard.

WWD: Technological advancements have democratized music production, making it more accessible to aspiring artists. What impact do you believe this accessibility has had on the overall quality and innovation in electronic music?

Music is too easy nowadays. You can download Ableton in a click, find free templates or presets on YouTube and call yourself a musician in a few weeks. There is too much music, and nowadays the quality doesn’t mean anything. If you have an average track, as long as it’s promoted and you create a hype, it’s going to sell.

WWD: Are you touring the album? Where can we catch you playing over the coming months?

I’ll be touring for the album all around the world, especially Europe and the United States. Just check my socials for exact dates!

WWD: How do you approach crafting a memorable and engaging live performance, and how important is the audience’s energy in shaping the atmosphere?

It just depending wherever it’s a club or a festival set. In a club, I can allow myself more freedom and try to communicate with the audience, playing stuff I wouldn’t play usually. At a festival, I’m playing the 12 banging tracks from my discography and music collection, to catch the attention and have the people partying.

WWD: Do you have any final thoughts about the album release you could share with us?

Just listen to it at home, alone, especially if you’re in a bad mood. And when it’s done, message me on my socials to tell me what was your experience and how you feel.

WWD: Thanks for your time Matt!