All about that DRUM & BASS – Lee Mvtthews
Hailing from Christchurch, he’s one half of the leading Kiwi drum & bass duo Lee Mvtthews. Metropol spoke to Tom Lee before he plays the Kirin Hyoketsu Infield, brought to you by George FM, on 10 November with his partner on the decks Graham Matthews.
Thanks for your time, Tom! The internet claims that you and Graham met in 2012 at Auckland at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand. Is that true?
Yes! The internet is correct! We were both at the young old age of 19 when we met. I moved from Christchurch, and Graham from Tauranga. We studied DJ and electronic music production.
Was it an instant connection or a slow burn?
We connected pretty quickly; we used to do three hours of DJ practice as part of the course, and Graham was in my group.
I always enjoyed the music I heard coming from Graham’s booth; we started to jam together, and the relationship flourished from there.
What’s with the v?
We first created ‘Lee Matthews’ but once we started putting music on Spotify we found the Irish country singer Lee Matthews, and started to run into some issues with our songs being added to his account by mistake. Around the time you had a lot of DJs in trap music dropping the vowels out of their names, such as Loudpvck (Loud pack), NGHTMRE, TWRK etc., and so we flipped the A to a V.
What is it about DnB that you love so much?
We’re both metal heads from our school days, and DnB has such high energy and aggression at times. It can also have epic, euphoric uplifting moments, or raw emotive songwriting that really moves you. It’s so broad, that’s why I love it.
How does that translate into your headline act at Addington Raceway’s (and Christchurch’s) biggest Tuesday of the year?
Every time we play, we really leave it all out there; we’re having more fun than anyone else in the room. And as a spectator it’s infectious, and you can’t help but get involved.
Any pivotal moments that brought you where you are?
100%, I think releasing our track Takeover, playing our largest music festivals: Rhythm and Vines, Northern Bass, Homegrown, Electric Avenue. Playing overseas in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, USA, United Kingdom, there’s been so many over the years, it’s all about like stacking those moments and trying to grow the brand further and further as the years go on.
What does ‘success’ mean to you?
Success comes in many forms: some of the gigs mentioned, hitting big Spotify numbers, hearing your song on the radio, interacting with a fan whose first language is not English. All of that comes down to music getting out there into the world; the more people it connects with, the more success I feel. In personal life, I do a bunch of stuff in endurance sports. Hyrox, marathon, Ironman. Competing and improving feels like success. Having solid relationships is another success; I have a loving partner, parents, and friends, and
I feel very lucky to have them in my life.
Do you get nervous before performing?
Yes, usually before playing mainstage. R&V seems to be the one gig that gives me ‘the shits’. Normally I’m fine, even with similar-sized crowds; I don’t know why that one always gets me. But in terms of how I deal with it, I like to lean into the jitters. Fire myself up, so I feel like I’m ready to run through a wall. And once I go out there, I like to try and translate that energy.
What are your favourite memories in Christchurch?
I have so many; I grew up here, so I mean Christmas in the Park as kids, many Electric Avenue, Hidden Lakes gigs, Crusaders games, Hide Club kick-ons, the list goes on.
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Quickfire questions
The place you’ll always visit when you’re in Christchurch?
Little Fiddle, SmokeyT’s, the Dux, Hide, when it was around.
Last time you broke a bone?
I fractured a finger while I was play-fighting as a kid.
Best advice from your mum?
Mum’s favourite saying every time I leave the house, to the point of annoyance: ‘Be careful’.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
I’d be in fitness; this still may be something I’d try my hand at.
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Lee Mvtthews headlines the Infield on Go Media NZ Trotting Cup Day with Savage on Tuesday 10 November at Addington Raceway.
Book tickets now at nzcupweek.co.nz/the-infield
