Black Eyes [Lost Control 2097]
DJ | Producer | Label Head
If you’re looking for dreamy electro, jackin’ house, breaks or squelchy acid, listen to Black Eyes’ HÖR set. Playing everything from Miss Kittin & The Hacker to Frankie Knuckles, Matthew aka Black Eyes follows the same sonic route in the label he recently launched, Lost Control 2097.
A product of lockdown, Matthew set up the imprint between a monthly residency on NTS Radio, where he showcases the sound of emerging talents based in Manchester, Berlin and beyond while revisiting acid house history with the latest burbling rhythms that have slipped into his library.
A promoter in a previous life, starting Lost Control 2097 has given Matthew a burst of motivation while parties are on hiatus due to the pandemic.
Having curated Lost Control soirées between Manchester and Berlin for eight years, Matthew is confident that creating the label is a good move to keep the sound of the event alive and remain connected to the artists and community he has come into contact with since Day Dot.
The below memory comes from Festival Season, a year before Covid-19 broke out. Recalling it below, Matthew also shares news about Lost Control 2079’s upcoming release courtesy of electro head Cygnus and more…
Freerotation crusts 🌿 Photo: Unknown
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This is a photo from Freerotation Festival 2019. It was on the Sunday I believe.
A group us of from a large portion of the Manchester krew that went, had gotten together for the yearly photo on the stairs. It’s hard to describe the vibe at this festival but it really is one of them places you just need to experience yourself. Free-spirited but everyone knows about the music you’re watching. All the people there are great to talk to. I’ve met some life long friends there already. It’s a proper coming together of good souls. I like to imagine this was what it was like back in the Hacienda days. And the music was the best. Great line-up programming. It’s not often you get to just speak to big DJs on the level this easy, as there are no backstage areas.
How have you been over the last while and what is life currently like wherever you are?
Currently in Manchester but just about to move to Berlin this year. It’s been pretty quiet here to be honest. I would be lying if I say didn’t miss a good rave (or two) but this lockdown pushed me to finally get the record label (Lost Control 2097) up and running.
But to keep the brain sane, I’ve been eating healthy, doing art, making music and going for walks with my girlfriend. Beyond that, there isn’t a lot we can do I guess. Gotta stay positive though. It won’t last forever this and we will all be together again.
Label-wise, what are the latest happenings at Lost Control?
The first record by Texas electro legend Cygnus is out in a few months and it’s been worth all the waiting and planning. It’s gonna be distributed by Clone Records so I guess it will be shipped all over the world. I’m very happy with the releases and there’s another five lined up straight up after it. If anyone has been following our NTS show or our parties over the last eight years, then they will know what the label is gonna be about.
Full-on 7th dimensiøn plasma electro and sub-aquatic house from the 8th dimensiøn.
What's the maddest thing that ever went down at a Lost Control party?
One of the last parties we were involved in, was in Berlin, at Griessmuehle. It was like the second or third party ahead of the last event they had on before the club closed down a few months before the pandemic lockdown. We were doing an all-day party in the Terrace thanks to Slave To The Rave. It was a Lost Control Takeover for 12 hours. Towards the end of Sunday night, we heard a load of commotion outside. I had a peek and saw like 8 fire trucks. Turns out the cloakroom on the other side of the club was on fire. Safe to say we had to close the club. Legend has it we burnt the roof off that place haha.
P.S We miss that club so much.
As a promoter, how do you feel about the future of nightlife and club culture?
Not really sure how I feel about it at the moment.
I missed it at first but I’ve now I’ve just got used to it that it’s not always in the thought train. I know that will all change once they re-open but it’s been good for people to get on with personal projects, myself included. It’s also been interesting to see how nightlife has evolved, for example; streaming sets for charity.
Back to the present moment. Tell us how the photo below resonates with you right now?
This a photo of a poster I made for my bedroom recently.
It’s the lyrics from the classic Detroit techno track ‘Transition’ by ‘Underground Resistance’. It’s been like my morning ritual to read it. It resonates with me as I’m sure it does a lot of people. Some people do yoga, some go for a run, some listen to a morning song. I just read this and then get on with my day. It’s very motivational.
UR Poetry ✨ Photo: Matthew