Bio

Matt Turner AKA Romantech is co-founder of Auckland’s Data:bass Network and head of its 0474:8455 recordings label. He formed the Mental Illness subsidiary soon after in order to bring a fresh approach to releasing new electronic music, not by defining a style or setting a standard, but rather breaking down the creative limitations of electronic producers seeking to reach an audience . . .

"I got into Jungle and Trip Hop as a teenager in the mid 90's after being turned on to raves and cafs and that. I’ve been Producing melodic and funky dance for four years, playing out funky drum'n bass as Romantech, organising a CD-R label, now putting out melodic downbeat and chilled dance as Further also . I make melodic electronic music and dance. Lots of downbeat with loungy, dubby, influences and ambient electronica but also melodic, downbeat Drum'n Bass, Uk Garage, House etc ."

"Further was really born when I hooked up with Haze, daughter of local MC and ex-Hallelujah Picasso's Bobbylon.. I quickly recognised that though we were using the Mid 90's Bristol sound (Portishead, Massive Attack, Tricky) as a starting point, I was drawing influences from throughout recent british music history. I was looking at the way the ambient elements incorporated into mid 90's jungle (Timeless) and the emerging sound of what would become commercial Trance (Gatecrasher) carried on the melodic tradition of the UK underground from the Indie bands up until the commercialisation of "Britpop". I was influenced by Indie bands like Slowdive, MBV and Ride, and this is becoming more of an element I'm rediscovering electronically."

Matt says:
“I really feel the urge to make something happen, something special. Music is special, and to me, creativity is a necessity to understanding. Encouraging it, making it happen and attempting to go about it in a conscious way, I think is achieving something worthwhile. With music, a connection occurs between the artist and the listener that creates a greater potential for understanding than social interactions might otherwise allow. “

“My music is generally about life in the city, life at the turn of the century, the lifespans of the different relationships we form, the significance created by the ubiquitous passing of time, and how we reflect on the way our lives play out..”

Hazel says:
“It’s like taking something ugly . . . and making it beautiful.”

Band Members:
Matt Turner (DJ, Producer, Programmer, Performer)