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