ep11 Matthew Willox has a spark

ep11 Matthew Willox has a spark 
released April 3, 2025 
1:34:43

Guest website: https://matthewwillox.art/
Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewwillox/

hosts: Glen Erickson, Alexi Erickson
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Matthew Willox, an electronic musician and creative technologist, dives into his unique journey through the music industry. Known for his ability to blend analog warmth with digital precision, Willox shares insights on using unconventional tools like Super Nintendo controllers to create music. The discussion touches on his early career in the late '90s, from scoring projects for MIT students to the Oilers scoreboard, and addresses the validation and challenges of working in a niche genre. Willox opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the intense emotional experiences during major personal achievements such as winning a national laptop battle championship, and the perpetual pursuit of genuine artistic expression. This conversation is a thoughtful exploration of how digital and analog elements can coexist in art and life.

Almost Famous Enough is a series of conversations centered around the music industry, pulling back the veil on what it really means to “make it”. Our podcast features guests who know the grind, who have lived the dream, or at the very least, chased the dream. Through these conversational biographies, truth and vulnerability provide more than a topical roadmap or compile some career advice; they can appeal to the dreamer in us all, with stories that can teach us, inspire us, and even reconcile us, and make us feel like we made a new friend along the way.

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Willox 

02:34 Analog vs Digital Debate 

04:23 Early Musical Influences 

07:24 The Creative Journey 

10:53 The Rise of Electronic Music 

17:36 Navigating the Music Industry 

22:55 The Role of Technology in Music 

29:46 Finding Community and Validation 

36:29 Challenges and Reflections 

48:04 A Moment of Victory 

48:26 The Essence of Art 

49:43 Inspiration from a Live Performance 

51:16 The Journey of an Artist 

01:00:30 The Laptop Battle Experience 

01:05:41 Reflections on Success and Misalignment 

01:13:54 Creative Innovations with Technology 

01:17:48 The Importance of Music Theory 

01:23:25 Post-Fame with Alexi