Matthias Heilbronn is undoubtedly one of the coolest guys around, as is the music he produces. A music carrying those signs of depth and sensibility inherited from his aptitude to create atmospheres resulting from unique blends of emphasis over some festive elements as shown on his memorable rework of "Love And Understanding" for Too Deep in the second half of the nineties or his cover version of Stevie Wonder's "That Girl" On Wave Music to name but a few. This first half of 2004 sees him covering many fronts, from his collaboration with French singer Hanna Hais to his debut-single on UK label Papa Records with Monique Bingham. Not to mention the recent release of Deep & Sexy 3 comp + an impressive array of dates seing him spinning all over the world for the months to come…

Come to understand that you're hailing from Germany. Where exactly from ?
Bremen.

What has been your environment as a child ?
I grew up with my mother, who was an English & German teacher.


Your first contact with music and in which circumstances.
My mother always played music at home and we always listened to BFBS, which is the British forces radio station. That introduced me to a wide variety to music, anywhere from Reggae to Soul, R&B and Rock.


What were you destined to do as in Germany ?
I really didn't have much interest in anything besides DJing.

Your first time in NYC… When was it ?
1985.


What decided you to stay there ?
Being bored in Germany, the love for NYC and an offer to work at François K's studio.


Did you intend to go there directly for doing music or also as a student ?
Music.


The first DJ/producer you've ever met there ?
Justin Bergman & James Breslaw (Sensible House).


How long did it take you to be accepted by the local scene ?
The scene was so open minded back then, it only took a minute.

The parties you used to go at the time ?
Paradise Garage, The Saint, Marrs, 1018, Nell's, Soundfactory... There was a party for every night, and I was out every night.

The circumstances of your association with Mike Delgado ?
I met Mike through Benji Candelario, while engineering for him.


What did he bring you/ what did you bring him ?
He played keys, I did the drums.


Isn't that easier at the end of the day to work as a pair ?
I find it easier to work alone.


How did you feel the first weeks while partying ways with your former partner ?
I started working with Peppermint Jam, so jumped into a completely new situation.


Your first meeting with François K. Looks like you have a strong work relation with him. Has he somehow been an exemple for you as a European in terms of accomplished integration ?
We have been working together for over 15 Years in different scenarios, but I never thought of him as an example. He surely was a mentor and a teacher, but when it comes down to it over here, everyone's depended on himself and it's up to you what you make out of it.

Is there anything you're currently missing from Europe ? Or do you feel like an American ?
I have been over here for so long, I don't know what my life would be like in Europe nowadays. I miss the easiness of being young. NY is very demanding and expensive, so living anywhere else might be more relaxing but might get me bored very quickly. It would be nice to have it both. I certainly don't feel like an American, but I don't feel like a German neither.

What about the German community in NYC ?
No connection


Interested by what's currently hailing from Germany in terms of releases ?
Some of the tech house, Basic Channel and Nu Jazz stuff is quite incredible. The straight up house stuff stinks.

Looks like you've always had your own touch while producing or doing remixes. How would you qualify it ?
Life is a constant inspiration for me and my music.

Your heroes as you were a kid musically speaking. Your deepest influences today ?
Quincy Jones, Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Trevor Horn, Isley Brothers, War, Kraftwerk, John Coltrane, James Brown, Fela… now and then.

Heard about an album project of yours last year that was supposed to be released on the now defunct Distance…
Defunct is the word.


Any project like this in the pipeline this year ?
No !


How would you qualify the current state of house music today ?
There is a lot of deep dark and interesting new stuff coming out. The beats and sounds are finally changing. I think it is very exciting if people realize that house is more than one thing.

What is to be changed for a better acceptance by a wider crowd ?
Stop thinking in categories and get back to the basics. Whatever makes you dance is what should be played.

Miami ? Your opinions about this ?
Love the weather...it's a good spot to see the most talented and influential DJ's in one place.


Gotta whole bunch of new releases at the same time…
Monique Bingham - "Go Getter" on Papa Records, Hanna Hais - "Parfum Chic"/"Bel Amant"/"Doucement" on Atal, Dimitri featuring Omar - "Strong Stuff" , MKL - "Her Song" Peppermint Jam and Deep & Sexy #3 compilation on Wave.

One word about Hanna Hais…
Supercool…

About your debut on Papa Records with Monique Bingham…
I love the label and finally got a chance to work with Monique (Abstract Truth) again. There is more to come !

This third installment of Deep & Sexy…
I had a chance to put some of my favorite Wave stuff together and add a bunch of unreleased songs and remixes that I did.

What's next ?
Deep & Sexy DJ tour all through the summer, from NYC to Europe, to Asia and hopefully finally to Australia.

Has the recent fact of becoming a dad changed your way of seing the things ? / The world ? Yourself ?
It helped put things into perspective and helped me be more focused. It is a totally new challenge and I hope I am up for it.

V/A: DEEP AND SEXY 3 mixed by Matthias 'Matty' Heilbronn, out now on Wave Music
MATTHIAS HEILBRONN featuring MONIQUE BINGHAM Go Getter (Papa Records) + Matty's II Deep Mixes (to be released on May 03)
HANNA HAIS "Parfum chic" (Atal, www.atalmusic.com)

Deep and Sexy 3 Tour: for further tour details click here
05/01 : London: Neighborhood w/ Matthias Heilbronn and Peter Adarkwah
05/08 : San Francisco : Atmosfere w/ Matthias Heilbronn & DJ Said
05/09 : Los Angeles : Deep w/ Matthias Heilbronn & Marques Wyatt
05/15 : Atlanta : The Mark w/ Matthias Heilbronn
05/21 : Chicago : Smart Bar W/ Matthias Heilbronn & Whyteout
05/23 : Toronto : The Tangier w/ Matthias Heilbronn & Monique Bingham
05/29 : London : Higher Ground/Mass w/ Matthias Heilbronn & Trevor Fung
05/12 : Singapore : Zouk w/ Matthias Heilbronn