Matt Johnson
What made you play the piano over any other instrument?
I actually originally played the trumpet more seriously than the piano, I did all my grades and was headed towards a job in an orchestra until teenage hormones kicked in! Then I switched to piano, although I had always played it a bit. It's a better instrument for composition, which is my main interest in music.
Other than Jamiroquai’s music, are there any particular genres you enjoy playing?
Anything with a vibe. I'm really not interested in keyboards at all apart from as a vehicle in which to participate in making music. I love the way art enables you to express yourself and I guess music happens to be my medium.
What is your favourite Jamiroquai song to play?
Right now I'm loving playing the new stuff in rehearsal. I can't wait until we get out live with that stuff, it's so well thought out none of us feel the need to overplay. The songs just play themselves, which is a joy. Old stuff... I always enjoy playing Virtual Insanity, it's such a great song. I've also really enjoyed doing Hooked Up recently, a proper fusion workout! It brings me back to the days of playing at WKD in Camden, which was where I got my funk wings!
Where did you play your best gig and what made it so memorable?
There's been so many memorable ones!
Playing on the steps of the Sydney Opera House was really special, it was a balmy night with an amazing crowd and afterwards we had fireworks over Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was a long way from the Dog and Duck! I also remember Johannesburg as being a major buzz, again wonderful crowd.
Who would you most like to do a collaboration with?
Nina Simone with Sylvia Plath writing the lyrics. Unfortunately they are both dead so the chances are slim.
Amongst the living.. I really like MGMT at the moment so I'd have to say them.
Do you write any of your own music? What inspired you?
I've written a lot of the new album with Jay and that is my main focus.
I've always written music, it's really what I got into the whole thing for. Inspiration comes from life experience, often from sadness. When you are feeling great there's no time to sit around writing music! But I guess these days I have been mostly helping singers to express themselves. I try to get into their heads and empathize with whatever they are feeling. At the same time I always try to put some of my own feeling into the composition.
I've written an album of material with Rob and Paul, I hope at some point we will put it out for everyone to hear, it's good stuff I think.
I really hope you all enjoy the new album, we all enjoyed making it!
