Matthias Vogt joins the roster of Anjunadeep’s Reflections this August with new album ‘Ten As One’, comprised of ten original compositions and collaborations with Hans Berg, Sako, and Johanna Klein.

Over the past decade and a half German producer Matthias Vogt has steadily unveiled his twist on contemporary electronic music under his own name and aliases via the likes of Polytone, Aus, Freerange and of course Anjunadeep where he returns here, delivering his new project for the imprint’s Reflection sub-label.

Across the ten tracks that make up the ‘Ten As One’ LP Matthias Vogt explores an amalgamation of styles ranging from experimental electronica with cuts like ‘Lowtus’ and ‘Chalk Farm’, producer with Hans Berg or ethereal compositions like opener ‘My Life’, ‘Passing Days’ and ‘Under The Moon Over The Sky’ featuring the vocals of Johanna Klein.

Vogt also explores elements of post millennium IDM on compositions like the Sako collaborative ‘Carmel’ and the glitch electronica feel of ‘Helixcopter’ while the solo outings on the album see him even diverge into influences of jungle, ambient and new age music. Once again Matthias Vogt present his inherent ability to craft raw and emotional electronic music with ‘Ten As One’, weaving together the culmination of all his experience in the field to create something unique and immersive.

WWD: Hi Matthias, thanks for taking the time to talk with us here at When We Dip. Your new album ‘Ten As One’ is coming soon via the Anjunadeep Reflections imprint. For those of us yet to hear about it could you please tell us about the project, the aesthetic of the sound and how it all came together?  

‘Ten As One’ is an electronica listening album; it contains very different styles, genre twists and various vibes. I did collaborations with some of my favourite artists. It was important for me to give them space and let them do their magic in the best possible way, whilst still making it “my album”. I really wanted to create a classic album that you’re able to enjoy listening in one go. I am very happy that I found a good home for it with Reflections. Aesthetics: it’s a deep dive into my sound, I would say the key elements were improvisation and dub.

WWD: The album features numerous collaborations with artists, namely Hans Berg, Johanna Klein and Sato. Could you please tell us about your connection with these artists and what they each brought to the table for the album? 

It was a big pleasure to work with them!

I knew Johanna Klein as gifted jazz saxophonist, and she also hails from my old hometown Rüsselsheim. My father was also her music teacher when she was younger! When she posted a video as singer (I had no idea!) I instantly got in touch and told her that I wanted to work with her. We ended up creating four collaborations for ‘Ten As One’, plus she is also part of the live show.

Hans Berg played at the concert series in Frankfurt called Panopticon at Lindley Lindenberg which I curate; he also does art installations with Djurberg & Berg that I was very impressed with. He recently moved from Sweden to London. We did a little back and forth with the parts for our mutual tracks and he really surprised me with his elegant choices. He mainly did really great drum parts and worked on synth and dub elements with his modular synths.

Finally Satoshi Tomiie aka Sato, a true music pioneer and (house music) legend. I absolutely love what he does as Sato: it’s a minimal, stripped-down set-up and very close to the musical approach I have. His super tasty and analogue dub treatment makes our mutual track ‘Carmel’ special.

WWD: You have a long-running history in electronic music in general, releasing music under many different aliases and touring the globe as an artist. Could you share with us a little about your roots in electronic music and what it’s taught you over the years.

Music taught me so much and I am still learning and always will be. Music genres are open formats for me. Music is alive because it always finds new combinations and angles. And I love to be an active part of this development. Music as a “universal language”, that’s a beautiful concept.

WWD: Where do you make your music, do you work from home or in a studio? What are the dominant pieces of equipment you’re using to produce, in the box with software predominantly or are you also collecting synthesisers, drum machines and other outboard gear?

My last album ‘Pianissimo’ was recorded in a big studio. ‘Ten As One’ is a home recording album. I am always up for changing set-up anyway, as it inspires working on new ideas, so I am not ever on the same gear and workflow. For me, it needs to feel new, as that’s what makes it exciting.

It became sort of my trademark though that I play all my synths outboard by hand and very rarely do quantize. The so-called human factor. I love this organic feel. The difference between super tight machine music sequences and hand played chords and melodies, that’s sort of my thing. And it’s a mix of 80s synths and recent models.

WWD: How is the summer of 2023 looking for you, is there any notable plans, key shows or releases other than this one you have planned that you’d like to highlight?

‘Ten As One’ – the album release – is actually my highlight this summer. And one week after the album release I am going to play a dj-set at Anjunadeep Open Air at Finsbury Park. I can’t wait to visit London again! Plus there will be a couple of live shows together with Johanna Klein and Sebastian Rieker (visuals) in summer and autumn.

WWD: And lastly, could you please share with us something that is brightening up your days these days outside of music? It could be a book that you’re reading, movie you saw, something you practice or a special place for you right now. Totally open ended so please feel free to share anything that comes to mind and thank you again for your time.

I love speciality coffee. Always up for finding the best coffee in town wherever I go. I have a couple of favourite spots in Frankfurt for it. It is important to create moments of pure enjoyment. A really good Iced Americano makes my day. Also hummus. I love hummus. Who ever invented it and however it was discovered anyway… genius. 🙂