Sat May 18 – Matador (Live) + Shaded (Live)
TABLE RESERVATIONS
MATADOR
As DJ Awards’ 2016 Electronic Live Performer, Matador is a revolutionary live artist with a shining reputation for versatility, whilst never compromising on quality. Accolades have been showered on the Dublin-born producer, from proud ambassador of the NEVE 5088 Console, and Richie Hawtin’s PLAYDifferently MODEL1 mixer, his tenure as an ENTER resident at their worldwide events, to his consistent spot in RA’s Live Artist poll, bringing him rapid worldwide acclaim and a devoted worldwide fan base of clubbers and peers alike. Still thirsty for new worlds to conquer, Matador, aka Gavin Lynch, recently took on a new role as label boss for his RUKUS imprint.
Matador’s breath-taking explosive live shows result in packed crowds and an equally packed touring schedule including key bookings at top clubs and festivals such as Awakenings, Tomorrowland, Sonus Croatia, Ultra, and Output, DC-10, Space Ibiza, Stereo Montreal.
Playing to ecstatic thousands at sold out shows worldwide is a far cry from his early years. Raised on Motown, Matador then grew up with Guns N Roses, Pink Floyd, Orbital, Kasabian… As a teenager inspired by electronic giants Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer and Jeff Mills, he listened faithfully to the Essential Mix, collecting records and learning to DJ on any pieces of equipment he could afford. His drive to learn more led him to a sound engineering course at Dublin’s Sound Training Centre, with an emphasis on electronic music production, and an obsession was born. ‘Whilst electronic production is my first love, it has been incredibly important to have knowledge of instruments in their purest form both in a studio and in a live environment.’
Along with early interest from Cocoon and Perc Trax, an encounter with Richie Hawtin boosted him from aspiring DJ on the Dublin underground club circuit to a key component of Hawtin’s Minus imprint. His success was assured by his string of successful releases there such as ‘Kingswing’ and his ‘Spooks’ EP, and by his innovative, ever-evolving live shows. His relationship with Hawtin continues to be a fruitful one, having been enlisted as an ambassador for his PLAYDifferently Model 1 analog DJ mixer in 2016.
Last year also saw Matador founding his RUKUS label. ‘I’ve always loved the idea of taking my tracks from conception in the studio all the way through to release,’ he says. Initially creating an outlet for his own music, this year he invites exciting new and established talent to the imprint, as he extends his range as label boss. In 2016 he unveiled his newest live show at Loveland (ADE 2016), and he promises to add more new elements into an already complex and acclaimed performance in 2017.
Unusually multi-talented outside music, Matador’s many interests and skills have fed back into his DJ career. His early twenties were spent training as a chef to the point of a promising career in Dublin’s Michelin starred restaurants. Following his Dad’s advice of ‘find something you love doing and you’ll never work a day in your life’, he split his time between the kitchen and the decks, before cooking became a much loved hobby and music his life’s work.
SHADED
“I like that fine line between precision and raw emotion. That place in space that is new and fresh, yet finely tuned for your listening pleasure. When those two elements come together and click, magic happens in the music, and that is what I strive for. So keep you ear lobes lubed and your eyes peeled because its time to get SHADED and faded’’
Creating a completely unique and different style of music today, SHADED has a signature sound – a weaving combination of funky, psychedelic vibes and textures, making his sets something to remember. His sound is undeniable in character and is breathing new life into the techno house world.
Growing up in Newport Beach, California, he secluded himself in skating, surfing and music since a young age. His father, a musician and producer of classic rock, provided a pivotal role in creating his passion and drive for the raw and electric sound he loves to play today. Since 2006, his production style has constantly evolved whilst trying to stay true to his roots of groove laden, rock inspired minimal ‘’surf ‘’techno.
2012 was a big year for Skyler, it provided him the opportunity to develop and create his new solo career and moniker, SHADED. His previous success was as the duo SHDWPLAY, but his decision to go solo ultimately came from his desire for more creative and individual freedom.
As SHDWPLAY, the duo released four EPs on Dubfire’s SCI+TEC Digital Audio Imprint, quickly becoming well-regarded staples in techno ranks around the world. Their unique sound, exemplified in cuts like ‘Time Drip’ and ‘Drug of Choice,’ were heard in DJ sets from Richie Hawtin to Dubfire himself, solidifying their presence in the electronic dance world and as official members of the SCI+TEC family.
This newfound recognition, coupled with the desire for creative individuality, prompted his decision to leave and to pursue his solo career. Since the creation of SHADED in 2012, he has been playing his LIVE sets worldwide from festivals in Mexico and Croatia to clubs in London, Berlin, and Brazil. From touring with the SCI + TEC family and playing along side Dubfire and Carlo Lio he has gained recognition throughout the industry as one of the top LIVE acts, exciting crowds with his brand of ‘’funkadelic’’ techno. Through touring with SCI + TEC, fans and admiration for his style of music have grown considerably, leading to increased demand for his solo performances.
On SCI + TEC he has had multiple EP’s in both the techno and minimal charts in 2012 and 2013 including the hit tracks ‘’Be My Binge’’, ‘’Love Bug’’ and ‘’This Is This’’. His musical output has gained much respect from industry heavy weights including Dubfire, Richie Hawtin, Joseph Capriati, Tiga, Slam and Sasha.
This year his major noted release on SCI +TEC was the EP ‘‘Dwell’’ that reached #1 on the Top 100 Minimal Release charts via Beatport. After the success of ‘’Dwell’’ he followed up with his most recent EP – ‘’SHE SHE’’, his debut release on Tiga’s Turbo Recordings in June 2014, solidifying his production versatility.
