Mattie Safer
̸
Biografía
- To only know Mattie Safer as the jazz school dropout turned bassist of iconic proto-indie dance band The Rapture of “House of Jealous Lovers” fame (and much more) is barely scratching the surface of his musical inspirations, which is to say you’re scra..Recording for Safer’s current material has been a five-year process. Evolving from a hybrid club-friendly project into the current timeless, yet modern live R-&-B concept involved Wolf Tone Records founder Paul Epworth liking “the songs that were slower.” That wasn’t just a nod to enjoying their style, but to the idea that they “felt more like [him].” Epworth encouraged Safer to “stop worrying about trying to be cool,” and instead focus on being himself and making“the things that [he] really wanted to make.” These songs reflect Safer’s “greatest joy.” He’s found himself more than ever through the catharsis of songwriting, which in his words “put me in a better state of mind.” He continues, “I needed encouragement, and the best encouragement comes from yourself. Telling myself to keep on going when I didn't even believe everything I was saying or know that what I was feeling was important. These songs helped me through some rough times… An ex-manager, an ex-girlfriend, an ex-wife.” Freeing himself from those resistant to the changes he was making in his music and in his life, the latest material showcases an artist who “rediscovered a joy for music and life that had been missing for years.” He continues, “I don't think that the things I went through are so unique. This is a record about growing and growing up, me looking in the mirror and talking to myself. If any of that speaks to others people’s experiences then I've done good work. If I can share through music and help other people, that's wonderful.” Key to Safer’s development was his time spent with two unlikely creative forces, Timbaland and Daft Punk. While with The Rapture, Safer’s work with Timbaland allowed him to experience a less creatively restrictive situation than what the wildly popular Rapture had become. Being on tour with Daft Punk ultimately showed him that he “needed to make changes in [his] life and push [his] creativity and talent further in order to get to the musical world [he] wanted to live in.” Influenced by his youth in the soulful surroundings of Washington, DC, Mattie held an early affinity for artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Clifford Brown, and more contemporary groups like The Pharcyde and De La Soul. “I came off that Daft Punk tour and was just sick of everything I was doing and everything I was surrounded by. I would sit and listen to hours and hours of Stevie Wonder and Jay Z for like 3 months. There was no agenda but I felt reconnected to something I had lost, reconnected to what I really love. The songs just started pouring out of me.” The resulting work reflects it: A smooth yet powerful voice floats over top of songs infused with the spirit classic soul refracted through hip hop, heavily influenced by the sounds of artists like Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, Mary J Blige, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and D'Angelo. An Impressions record produced by J Dilla, a bit of grit and a touch of class. A strong-minded individual thriving in creating from a musical perspective wholly his own, Mattie Safer infuses his soulful live R&B sound with a humanity that creates a connective, impacting and profoundly inspiring listen. His debut solo EP “All We Are” is due out May 27th (Dream City Sounds).̸As Mattie Safer "Is That Your Girl?" (Single, 2011) "Whenever You're Ready" (Single, 2016) "All We Are" (EP, 2016) With The Rapture: Out of the Races & Onto The Tracks EP (Sub Pop)-May 21, 2001 (Vox, Bass) House of Jealous Lovers 12" (DFA/Output)-March 3, 2002 (Vox, Bass, Cowbell) Echoes LP (Mercury/DFA/Output)-September 8, 2003 (Vox, Bass, Keys, Cowbell) Pieces Of The People We Love LP (Mercury/Motown)-September 12, 2006 (V, B, K) With "Others": Tiefschwarz-Warning Siren (Vox) Kaos-Feel Like I Feel (Bass, Keys) Headman-Balaerica (Vox) Uffie-Illusion Of Love (Vox) Beni-Someone Just Like You (Vox) DJ Mixes: The Rapture "You Are Here" (Bootleg, Fall of 2003) The Rapture "Tapes" (!K7, Summer of 2008)
Discografía seleccionada