Downhill is Jon Matthews' solo musical endeavor. He is a musician and recording/mix engineer from the North Coast of the South West of England in the United Kingdom. The music is heavily rooted in electronic genres, with Aphex Twin, Depeche Mode, Goldie, and Gary Numan among the inspirations. 'Gate' is a suitable conclusion to Downhill's "12 for 21" record effort. Inspired by the place where Devon and Somerset converge, the listener is easily transported to another age alongside the artist. The tune reflects the dramatic contrasts of the Exmoor terrain through the mix of a melancholy backdrop, mournful melody, and uplifting flashes of light.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Downhill, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
I've been concentrating on writing my music, recording and producing other artists and bands. I've also been teaching myself how to get the most out of some of my retro recording equipment.
How do you plan to support yourself financially long term?
Currently my main source of income is production services via my commercial recording studio.
Your latest track is 'Gate'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Gate is inspired by the area where Devon and Somerset in the UK meet. I was out on the moors walking, and saw a gate in the middle of nowhere. The solitude I felt, as I watched the storm clouds in the distance, was dark and yet it felt quite familiar and comforting. I tried to express these feeling in the track.
What are you focusing on right now?
I'm focusing on promoting my studio and helping up and coming artists in the local area. I am also keen to share my skill set and experiences with any one who would benefit from them.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I would most likely still be involved with photography, which started as a hobby of mine but soon developed into paid work with various organisations. I used to do both sports and commercial photography which was published in newspapers and magazines.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Don't give up on your dreams – anything worth having doesn't tend to come easy. Also thank you for all your support for my music.
What inspires you as an artist?
Most of my inspiration comes from the area I live in. I also draw inspiration from music I grew up listening to as well as current releases.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would like to see easier routes to financial support for artists who have consistently released music but haven't yet reached the streaming numbers that other funding options require.
How do you stay connected and up to date with the art world?
Usually through blogs and social media, it seems to be a great way to be able to connect to the things that interest you.
What are your plans for next year? Do you have any productions ready to be released?
I'm currently working on a series of EP's to be released throughout the coming year.