Full Name / Alias: Matan Zohar (Mat Zo)
Born: April 30, 1990 (London, England)
Genres: Trance, Progressive House
Years Active: 2006–present
Roles: DJ, Producer, Label Founder
Labels: Anjunabeats, Astralwerks, Armada, Hospital Records, Mad Zoo
Associated Acts: Kill The Zo (with Kill The Noise), The Mary Nixons (with The Knocks)
Introduction
Mat Zo (real name Matan Zohar) is a British DJ and producer from London, known for his genre‑blending approach that spans trance, progressive house, drum & bass, and disco. He rose to prominence through Anjunabeats releases in the late 2000s, later founding his own label Mad Zoo, and has been praised for albums like Damage Control (2013) and Self Assemble (2016).
Early Journey
- Born into a musical family: his mother was a professional violinist, and his father an oil painter and music lover.
- Taught himself guitar at age 8, later playing drums in a jazz band and bass in a rock band.
- Inspired by Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers, he shifted toward electronic music in his teens.
- Began releasing tracks on Anjunabeats in the mid‑2000s, quickly gaining recognition in the trance and progressive community.
Career Highlights
- Debut Album: Damage Control (2013, Anjunabeats/Astralwerks) – Grammy‑nominated, praised for its eclectic style.
- Second Album: Self Assemble (2016, Mad Zoo) – showcased his independence and genre‑fluid creativity.
- Collaborations:
- Kill The Zo project with Kill The Noise (blending drum & bass and electro).
- The Mary Nixons with The Knocks (disco/house crossover).
- DJ Mag Recognition: Frequently cited as one of the most versatile producers of his generation.
- Festival Performances: Played at EDC, Tomorrowland, Ultra, and A State of Trance events.
Signature Sound
- Trance roots with euphoric melodies and progressive layering.
- Drum & bass and dubstep experiments, often under his alias MRSA.
- Eclectic genre fusion, refusing to be confined to one style.
Recognition
- Praised for his boundary‑breaking creativity, moving seamlessly between genres.
- Seen as part of the new wave of UK electronic innovators, alongside artists like Above & Beyond and Feed Me.
- His albums are considered landmarks in modern electronic music, balancing underground credibility with mainstream appeal.
Legacy and Outlook
Mat Zo’s legacy lies in his fearless genre‑blending and independent spirit, positioning him as one of the most versatile electronic artists of the 21st century. Looking ahead, he is expected to continue expanding Mad Zoo, collaborating across genres, and pushing electronic music into new creative territories.