Norwegian tropical house DJ Matoma, Tom Stræte Lagergren, has stepped out in the scene with his unique mix of tropical house and 90’s hip hop making him stand out from the rest. Becoming most popular in 2014 with his remix of “Old Thing Back” by the Notorious B.I.G, Stræte Lagergren, only 24, has a long way to go. Playing big festivals this summer such as Bestival, Hard, Electric Forest and more Matoma is here to stay. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Tom during Electric Forest to ask him a few questions:
EDM Assassin: Hey guys it’s Mickayla with EDM Assassin and I’m here with Matoma.
Matoma: Hey guys, what’s up its Matoma or actually my name is Tom. So we are doing this interview, I’m so stoked.
EDM Assassin: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your musical background?
Matoma: I see myself as a regular guy producing music and having a blast. When I was sixteen years old I bought myself my first computer and really easy software. The software allowed me to drag and drop samples so you could mash the two and stuff, just really simple. I really enjoyed doing that. When I was eighteen I bought a more professional software to produce music on and that’s when I started producing. I was really inspired by pop music, and Josh Grobin. Have you heard of him?
EDM Assassin: A little bit.
Matoma: He is like a classical pop artist. I really liked him so I tried to do production like he has. I’ve also been listening to90’s hip hop since I was seven years old. My roots took over and I started producing hip hop. When I was 22 years old I decided to apply for the musical school, bachelor degree in musical production. Now three years later I’m here, actually four years because that was last year I graduated.
EDM Assassin: Congratulations on graduating!
Matoma: Thank you so much!
EDM Assassin: How did you come up with the name Matoma?
Matoma: The name Matoma? Uh, that is actually quite the funny story. After a Calvin Harris show me and my brother threw an after party at our apartment in Trondheim, it’s the third biggest city in Norway. It’s a big, big student city, like 60,000 students in a city of 140,000 people in the whole city, so a lot of students. So we threw the after party, I had just released Wild, Wild West with Will Smith the remix. My brother said to me, “Tom, you are starting to make really good music. I’m proud of you, but your name sucks. It’s very bad, you need to change it. I’m only saying this because you’re my brother love.” But I had my pride, so I said to him, “Yeah of course, but you come up with a better name and throw it my way, because that is my name and I don’t figure out another name.” So we started arguing because he was throwing out names that weren’t very good. We got more and more drunk and suddenly one of our best friends saw me and my brother arguing. He thought we were almost starting a fight, because me and my brother have a reputation of it getting a little rough. So he came between us and said “Tom and Dan, can’t you guys just take it easy. Hakuna Matata.” Like from the Lion King with Timon and Pumbaa. And my brother he wanted to say that saying, “Hakuna Matata” but he was too drunk. He said it wrong, he said “Hakuna Matoma” and that was just, snap! Matoma, that’s the name! We found a pen and wrote it on the table in the living room. The next day we woke up with a hangover and when we went downstairs to the table we saw Matoma written all over it. Also you have Matoma, my name Tom is in it. People think that the name Matoma comes from Tom, but that’s the story!
EDM Assassin: That is such a crazy story, I never would have guessed! So you’re from Norway, what is the process like to work and do shows in other countries? Is it difficult?
Matoma: No it’s actually quite easy because people are so nice! As long as you speak and understand English for the most part and can communicate it always goes smooth. It is so much fun to travel to different countries and play for people.
EDM Assassin: Where is your favorite place to play?
Matoma: The United States.
EDM Assassin: Anywhere specific?
Matoma: I’d have to say Bonaroo Festival, when I played there probably 20,000 people attended my show.
EDM Assassin: That’s a lot of people! Do you have any other festivals planned this summer?
Matoma: Tonight I’m doing Electric Forest, I’ve done Bestival, was supposed to do Firefly but unfortunately had to cancel because it got rained out and the bad weather. I was really disappointed but you have to put people’s safety first so I’m really glad the festival made that decision. I’m doing other festivals, I don’t remember the names, but I do remember Hard Festival.
EDM Assassin: That’s a big one!
Matoma: Yeah I know that one is going to be huge. I’m also going to be playing a boat party I think in Boston. But I also am doing a US tour in August, I think.
EDM Assassin: Didn’t you just have a US tour?
Matoma: Yeah! The Midnight Phase Sun tour phase one and two.
EDM Assassin: Yeah we caught you when you came out to Madison, WI. It was a blast!
Matoma: Yeah that was sick, really cool!
EDM Assassin: Anything you’re expecting at Electric Forest?
Matoma: Just people having fun and spreading the love. That’s the most important thing. That people are having a good time sharing moments that will last a lifetime and enjoying themselves and having a blast.
EDM Assassin: Completely agree. Do you get to spend all four days this weekend?
Matoma: I flew in yesterday, my plane landed about 8 pm. But I was so tired after the trip, about 22 hours. I have seen a bunch of acts today and will also see a bunch of acts tomorrow. So I will be here for both today and tomorrow!
EDM Assassin: And one last thing before we let you go, do you have anything to say to your fans?
Matoma: I love my fans! Guys, just remember that Matoma is all about the love and keep spreading it
We want to thank Matoma for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. You can catch him on his fall US tour starting August 1st. In the meantime, head over to his Soundcloud to check out recent release Don’t Worry a Madcon remix, and more!