INTERVIEW : Nonduality
Inhabited by an infectious enthusiasm for dance music, Nonduality’s music draws from wide-ranging influences, anything from deep house to disco. On his new album Melodies EP - out now on Apparel Music - Matthew Goldsmith has recorded a truly charming and nuanced collection of house bangers that have all the charm and energy of indie darlings from the golden age of mp3 blogs, while maintaining their flawless modern edge. We had a chat with the Berlin-based American to learn more about the making of his new album.
What inspired you to create Melodies EP? What was your mindset when you approached the production of this album?
Melodies is a mix of a bunch of different musical ideas I’ve had over the past year or two. There’s stuff on there that’s pretty recent and some that I started 2-3 years ago. One thing they all have in common is me trying to express all the different things I like about house music. With Melodies, I was trying to make the kind of tracks I would want to play out and listen to.
Typically, what’s your creative process when you make a new track?
There are pretty much two ways that songs happen for me. The first is when I’m listening to a track and I love it so much that I want more of whatever it’s doing. That’s how I got started on Unconscious and Melodies. For Puzzle and Something New, I just went into the studio and started jamming.
Once I have an idea down I’ll try to arrange it a section at a time, seeing where each one takes me. When the sections are all leading into each other nicely, I do a quick mix and master and call it “done for now.”
Are there instruments or production tools that particularly inspired you during the making of the album?
I think the biggest piece of gear was the Empress Echosystem in my friends’ NYC studio. You can hear the delay from that all over Puzzle and Something New. It has so many different modes, you can always find something that’ll sound good. It’s also synced via a tempo tap instead of digitally, so you get unique rhythms with the other elements in the track.
Are there any artists that influenced you during the making of the EP?
Oh man, so many. Cassettes For Kids was a big influence for the more upbeat stuff like the title track. His tracks are groovy and smooth but still have a ton of energy.
I was also listening to a lot of Janeret. His tracks are super spacious and deep. It’s a cliche with deep house, but his track Rear really sounds like you’re diving into an ocean. Great stuff to listen to with your eyes closed.
The album artwork is great. How was it created?
Kisk, the label owner, sent over a couple different versions and each was awesome. I’ve been a fan of his visuals for a long time. They have a distinct style that you could pick out anywhere. I’m glad the artwork for Melodies was in such good hands.
I’d be interested to know more about how you got started producing electronic music, and what drew you to Berlin.
In 2009 or so, my high school friends showed me this blog called musigh.com. The guy posted all sorts of stuff, from indie electronic to techno and electro. That was my introduction to the genre.
As for Berlin, I had heard so many good things about its music scene. I went to interview for a job for Native Instruments and loved how friendly the city was. On weekends it feels like a giant block party, especially around the clubs. You can drink on the streets and there’s a great recycling program for bottles. It’s pretty ideal.
What do you like the most about the Berlin scene? What are you missing the most during lockdown?
Berlin just has a chill atmosphere. Very live-and-let-live. Clubs aren’t overbearing with security, so it’s relaxed and fun. The music selection is on point at places like Heideglühen and Ipse. I’m guilty of Shazaming there frequently.
Ipse burned down recently but they immediately got enough donations to rebuild. 2020 has been so hard for clubs, but it’s great to see people coming together to protect them.
What’s next for Nonduality?
After Melodies, I have a track called Potential coming out on a W&O Street Tracks compilation. Also streamed a set for Terrace Club in New Jersey recently that I’ll be putting up, so watch out for that!
Nonduality’s Melodies EP is out now on Apparel Music.
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