Joining the WORK Resident 2022 roster, Secus (Matt Salamon) gives his notable deep-driving elements to the residency mix. Co-founder of the label Ascetic Limited, Secus has also shared DJ booths with talented artists such as Claudio PRC, Ness, Deepbass, Wrong Assessment, Viels, David ATT, Wata Igarashi, Jeff Derringer, and many others.
Hi Secus, we’re stoked to have you a part of our WORK residency program. Because 2022 is coming in new beginnings, what are you looking forward to during your residency?
I’m stoked too! The past two years have been tough. I’ve felt separated from the community and at times it’s been hard to stay inspired with everything going on in the world. I’m looking forward to being fully immersed in the music, sharing my own music, and feeling connected with everyone again.
2002, 2005, and 2010 are pivotal years for you. You became a musician in 2002, an audio engineer in 2005, and a producer in 2010. How did you stay motivated during those times of musical growth? Even now, are you doing anything differently regarding motivational tactics?
I’ve stayed motivated by constantly learning and challenging myself. I started playing drums for a few bands and recording ourselves in my parents’ garage. As they were super low-budget recordings, I then wanted to understand how records are engineered to sound good. A friend of mine taught me Pro Tools and I started to learn how to mix, a critical and challenging part of the process. Around this time I discovered dance music which sparked my interest in producing music from scratch. I loved the experience and community dance music brought to me and I wanted to create that experience for others.
Today, I stay motivated because I love the process. I believe in continuous improvement, so I am always pushing myself to do better and find new ways to challenge myself. Sound design through modular synthesis is one of the most fun ways in staying motivated as it’s something new with every patch. Also, I’ve challenged myself with learning how to Master, the final step in the production process, as well as understanding room acoustics in order to create the best possible sounding studio.
I stay motivated because I love the process. I believe in continuous improvement, so I am always pushing myself to do better and find new ways to challenge myself
Secus stays finds self-improvement the key to stay motivated.
What’s behind your artist name? Any special meaning?
The definition is “contrary to what is right/expected.” I feel I’ve always veered towards being different, not necessarily doing the wrong thing, but finding a better way or my own way of doing things.
I feel I’ve always veered towards being different, not necessarily doing the wrong thing, but finding a better way or my own way of doing things.
Accepting the power of being different is how Secus describes the meaning his stage name.
It’s obvious that you’re heavily invested in music and different genres influence your music, especially jazz and metal. Can you share the creative process of how these two genres influence your style? Why do these two genres resonate with you creatively?
These genres resonate with me mostly because of their technicality and rhythms. For example, I love the use of polyrhythms, which is basically a combination of contrasting rhythms, and these are almost always found among all three of these genres. I think these attract me because it brings a hypnotic vibe that really pulls you into the music. Also, jazz and techno are mostly free of vocals, allowing the instruments to tell whatever story your mind creates of it.
You’re part of the newly launched WORK Residency Program and as part of it, you’ll be playing at selected events throughout the year. What does it mean to you to be invited to be a part of it and recognized as a standout talent?
I’m honored to be part of the WORK residency program and am extremely grateful to still be recognized even through the ups and downs in the last two years. I’m excited to work as a team in supporting the other artists in the program so we can have our music heard by the world.
I’m excited to work as a team in supporting the other artists in the program so we can have our music heard by the world.
Secus looks forward to building towards the WORK Residency team.
Why do you think the WORK Residency program is an important initiative?
To be a successful artist, it’s difficult being JUST an artist. Generally, you run your own label, throw events, attend events, market yourself, AND make music. Even with all of that you still need support from the community and I feel this program gives artists another opportunity to help gain that support.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’ve been working on a new label called ‘Rituals’, keep an eye out for it this year.
