Matt Burnside, a local producer who records as The Ocean Beneath, is making a name for himself thanks to the company he keeps. Having shared a few of his tracks now, it was high time we chatted to him.
By Graeme Smith
It was through his collaboration with York Calling favourite Holly Taymar that Burnside’s The Ocean Beneath first came to our attention. Her singer-songwriter sensibilities paired with his deep house beats proved irresistible in their single Show Up.
His latest is a similar concept with different results. Electron Fields sees him team up with York-based singer-songwriter Keeper of Bees (aka Vicky Richardson) to create a cosmic wonderland.
“The cosmic vibes are all Vicky really,” Burnside laughs, “again another reason I love working with her. I think she would say the inspiration is from the universe and how we’re all made up of tiny molecules meeting in harmony in this moment. Maybe? You’d have to ask her as well.”
Burnside is a big fan of Richardson’s work, having collaborated with her before. “Vicky is just such a great songwriter; she writes interesting lyrics that provoke thoughts and not just generic love songs,” he says. “She’s also an amazing piano player too so that helps with a lot of the chord structures for the tracks we’ve worked on. Honestly, she’s just amazing. You should go see her live some time; it’s mesmerising.”
On that topic I wanted to get his take on the local live scene. “Music round Leeds has always been amazing,” he says. “We have the Live at Leeds festival in the city every year which for me is just hands down the best festival. All the venues get involved and you find some absolutely mind-blowing new artists. The arena here in Leeds is also perfect for the bigger acts coming through the city. It’s got a great sound and just the right size. I don’t think there’s a bad seat in that place.”
I must agree with him on Leeds. We have a bit of catching up to do here in York.
The Ocean Beneath is certainly doing his bit on the scene, keeping house music alive. Electron Fields is a joyous piece with vibrant beats and groovy percussion. It’s laidback but there’s plenty to get you moving. The addition of Keeper of Bees’ vocals and lyrics is a masterstroke. They’ll give you goosebumps if you listen on headphones.
“Electron Fields was sat on my hard drive for ages before I got Vicky involved and I’d kind of planned the track to be a turning point moving my music to a less aggressive sound and more chilled heading in to deep house kind of vibes,” says Burnside of the track’s conception. “There’s more to come on this vibe too, and the next move is also planned out, but to me Electron Fields feels more honest and thought-provoking than previous works, I’m really proud of all the tracks though.”
Speaking more widely on house music, he adds: “I just love a groove that keeps going, something driving and pulsating, full of energy. To me house music is just the groove of life itself, and it just accompanies it so well.”
His enthusiasm for the genre is catching, and I simply adore the expansive and emotional soundscape he’s created with Keeper of Bees on Electron Fields.
The single is out now, and you can listen to it below.
