How Mathame Let Real Life Shape Their DJ Sets and Visual Concepts
Mathame’s work has always extended beyond the mechanics of DJing. Their sets, visuals, and pacing reflect a broader creative posture shaped by life outside the club, from personal relationships to moments of stillness and recalibration. That perspective has become increasingly visible in how they approach the booth, favoring space, restraint, and emotional continuity over constant escalation.
That mindset now finds a clear framework through NEOLOGY, a new performance concept that expands on the ideas introduced through their NEO shows. Recently unveiled alongside the announcement of its first presentation in Beirut, NEOLOGY brings together music, animation, and long-form visual thinking into a club and festival format that evolves across locations. New music and further appearances are planned as the project continues into 2026.
In this conversation, Mathame reflect on how everyday life informs their decisions behind the decks, why silence and observation matter before a set, and how NEOLOGY shapes pacing and atmosphere without needing explanation in the moment. The discussion also touches on their use of AI in visual creation and why connection remains the single constant they measure success by.
Interview With Mathame
What parts of your life outside of music have shaped your approach in the booth the most?
Life outside music is what gives meaning to what we play. Family, silence, moments of doubt, even routine all shape how we read a room. The booth is not a separate space.
It reflects how present we are in our own lives.
Do you find inspiration in non-musical places like conversations, art, nature, or travel? What tends to stay with you?
Very much so. Conversations often stay with us longer than sounds.
A sentence, a look, or a moment of vulnerability can translate into tension or release in a set. Nature and travel help reset perspective and remind us of scale, slowness, and flow.
Has there ever been a moment outside the club that shifted the way you DJ?
Yes. Personal moments like becoming more aware of time, responsibility, or fragility have changed our approach.
We leave more space in our sets now and let things breathe instead of constantly pushing energy.
Do you think DJs should actively seek inspiration outside the scene, or let it come naturally?
Both. It should not be forced, but you have to stay open. If all your references come from the scene alone, expression becomes limited. Life brings inspiration anyway. The real question is whether you are paying attention.
How does your daily rhythm or lifestyle affect the atmosphere you bring to your sets?
A lot. When we feel grounded and balanced, the sets become more patient and emotional. When life feels chaotic, that tension sometimes comes through as well.
We do not try to hide it.
We let it speak.
Do you keep any practices that help you reset or reconnect before gigs?
Silence matters. Sometimes it is being alone for a few minutes. Sometimes it is listening to music without analyzing it. The goal is arriving mentally present rather than overstimulated.
What is something recent from your real life that changed the kind of music you have been digging for?
Lately we are drawn to music that feels honest rather than functional. Less focus on peak moments and more attention to emotion and atmosphere.
That shift comes directly from where we are in life right now.
Your sets often feel cinematic rather than strictly club-focused. Is that intentional?
Yes. We do not see a DJ set as a sequence of tracks. It is a progression of feeling. Even in a club, people are living a moment in time. We try to guide that moment emotionally rather than physically.
You have been developing the NEO and NEOLOGY concepts alongside your music. How does that influence what happens in the booth?
They give context to what we play. These ideas are not explained during a set, but they inform pacing, atmosphere, and emotional shape. The booth becomes part of a wider framework rather than an isolated performance.
For those unfamiliar, how would you describe NEO in simple terms?
NEO is a large-scale event built around a cyborg statue in meditation.
It brings together artists who share a common message and want to contribute to that environment. It exists now but hints toward what is coming next.
And how is NEOLOGY different?
NEOLOGY is a Mathame-led show that lives in clubs and festivals. It introduces people to the ideas behind NEO through animation, music, and storytelling. It works through fragments that are felt rather than fully explained.
You have been using AI tools in your visual work. How do you personally relate to AI as artists and DJs?
We see AI as a tool rather than a replacement. It allows small teams to create at a level that once required large budgets. Intention is what matters. AI can expand imagination, but emotion still comes from people.
Do you think AI will change how DJs perform or create in the future?
It already has. Not by replacing DJs, but by changing how experiences are built around music. Visuals and long-form ideas are more accessible now. The challenge is staying human while using that power.
When everything is stripped away with no visuals or concepts, what matters most to you in a DJ set?
Connection. If people feel something real, even briefly, then the set worked. Everything else comes second.
Looking forward, what excites you most right now?
Building experiences that feel meaningful. Not louder or faster, but deeper. Through music, visuals, or shared moments, we want to create things people carry with them after the night ends.
