Matt Johnson | Interview | “The way I solo on a synth is influenced very much by Hendrix”
Jamiroquai keyboardist Matt Johnson has recently released a fantastic new live album via PX Records.
As a long-standing member of multi-million-selling soul-funk outfit Jamiroquai, the UK keyboardist, producer and composer Matt Johnson has made a name for himself as one of the leading instrumentalists on the international scene, regularly performing to huge crowds on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Also a much revered solo artist, Johnson released his debut solo album ‘With The Music’ in 2020 and his first ever live album on the PX Records label on October 27th 2023. Featuring a selection of original compositions alongside compelling covers of tracks by Johnson’s musical heroes including Lonnie Liston Smith and Roy Ayers, the 7-track album was recorded at PizzaExpress Jazz Club in Soho in November last year and is the fifth release on the newly launched PX Records label, set up earlier this year to release albums from new and established stars of the jazz and soul scene alongside a selection of music from PizzaExpress Live’s extensive archive of live recordings. Alongside Johnson’s work as the keyboard player for Jamiroquai, which has seen him co-write much of the band’s output, he has recorded as a session player with an array of artists across many genres including Duffy, Ashanti, JP Cooper, Jax Jones, SG Lewis, Purple Disco Machine, Newton Falkner, Will Young and many more.
“The way I solo on a synth is influenced very much by Hendrix”
It’s really great to have you. It seems that you were born playing piano. Would love it if you could share what was the growing up environment for you like? Your dad was a musician as well?
Matt Johnson: Thanks! Yes my dad was a musician, he owned a music shop. Me and my two brothers were all encouraged to take up instruments and there was always a piano in the house. As a kid, trumpet was my first instrument but I got into keys in my teens.
Were there any early influences that had a really strong influence on you to become the musician you are today?
The biggest was probably Hendrix as my brother had a couple of the albums and we used to listen all the time. The way I solo on a synth is influenced very much by Hendrix.
Tell us about your latest live album. How much time and preparation went into it?
Not much really! We didn’t plan for it to be an album, I was filming the show so wanted to multi-track it in order to have a good sound. They had a great engineer there and it came out great so PX suggested releasing it as an album. It was maybe the 4th show we had done together as a band.
“I think songs come alive when you play them to an audience”
Some artists delight in making the music, while others seem to delight in playing live … Do you discover new aspects of your songs developing in front of an audience?
Yes absolutely, in fact we are already playing some songs from my forthcoming album that I haven’t recorded properly yet! I think songs come alive when you play them to an audience and the reaction you get shapes how you play it.
Would love to hear about your debut album ‘With The Music,’ which you released in 2020?
Well I was messing around with a couple of tunes I had, recording them with Jamiroquai drummer Derrick Mckenzie and bassist Ernie Mckone at Ernie’s studio. Then a lockdown happened and all work stopped. That gave me the time to really work on the stuff as I have always been too busy making money to concentrate on my own thing! In that sense I had a good lockdown, I used to get up at 5am every morning and work on the stuff before my kids woke up!
Can you share some further words about the recording and producing process for it?
As I said the live tracking was done at Ernie’s and all the rest of it was made in my little studio at the end of my garden. It’s a great set up there with lots of vintage keys and a few nice pieces of recording equipment. My wife made a big contribution with the vocals, she’s not a pro singer but she has an amazing sounding recording voice.
What are some of the most important players that influenced your own style and what in particular did they employ in their playing that you liked?
Stevie Wonder for the funk vibes, Herbie Hancock for the beautiful Rhodes playing and the vocoder! Richard Barbeiri for his incredible sound design. Lyle Mays for his piano playing. There’s lots!
Before joining Jamiroquai you played with a series of musicians including Sunray, Nu Hope and Alexia. Would love to hear about those collaborations.
They were all done with my partner in crime at the time Charles Hope. We wanted to be the next hot pop production team but it never quite happened although we came close a few times! I learnt a lot from Charlie about how to deal with people, he was an expert hustler!
What led you to Jamiroquai in 2002 and what it’s like to also be a part songwriter? What’s the process like there?
I first auditioned to be second keys player for Ms Dynamite. They liked me but decided they didn’t need second keys in the end. A couple of guys in that band were Stuart Zender and Simon Katz. I think Simon recommended me to audition for Jamiroquai. There were quite a few auditions but I got the gig and once the tour ended Jay started involving me in writing as he had always written with the original keys player Toby Smith. It was quite a smooth process really, the first writing session became a song called ‘Time Won’t Wait’ which is on the ‘Dynamite’ album. We did writing trips in Italy, Majorca, Costa Rica, L.A. and New York so you can imagine for me it was amazing!
What are some future plans for you?
Releasing another solo record, working hopefully on a new Jamiroquai album next year and lots of sessions. I also have a popular YouTube channel which has 126,000 subs so I have to create content for that. There is never enough time!!
Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?
The new Jungle album, ‘Volcano’ is pretty good. I haven’t heard much new stuff that’s turned me on lately to be honest.
Favourite old records? ‘Aja’ by Steely Dan, ‘Secrets of the Beehive’ by David Sylvian, ‘Still Life (Talking)’ by the Pat Metheny Group, ‘Innervisions’ by Stevie Wonder… Roy Ayers ‘Vibrations,’ Fela Kuti ‘Expensive Shit’.
Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.
It’s a pleasure! Come see me play if you are in Europe in March next year. I am playing Berlin, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Paris as well as a UK date.
Klemen Breznikar
Matt Johnson Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
PX Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube
