However, Matt’s growing reputation really came to the fore only as recently as the beginning of 2002 with the completion of his first Radio 1 Essential Mix. The mix struck a chord with clubbers and promoters the world over. The resounding success of his debut Essential mix led to Radio 1 requesting a follow up in October 2005. This mix was so popular it was quickly shortlisted for the `Essential mix of the year`, only to be pipped to the post by Sasha. In the ten years that he maintained weekly residency with the globally renowned Gatecrasher, Matt packed and delighting dance floors from Sydney to Los Angeles to Moscow and Johannesburg. In late 2004 Matt’s position as Gatecrasher resident ceased, as he felt that the resident tag was inhibiting his development as a DJ in his own right. Entirely amicable his departure raised many an eyebrow but went on to surpass even the most cynical of these critics as Matt’s career blossomed. A testament to his ability is that, whilst travelling the globe over, Matt is still booked regularly to perform for the club, as he is for Godskitchen, Ministry of Sound, Slinky, Passion and The Gallery. Whilst retaining a strong diary of club dates, Matt has also been a prominent feature at many of the world’s most prolific festivals including 50,000 people at Castle Dance in St Petersburg, Godskitchen Global Gathering, Creamfields, Homelands, Escape in the Park, South West 4, Laserpoint Festival in Finland and Gatecrasher Summer Sound System. Whilst enjoying successful tours throughout Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, North and South America. All this aside, it is perhaps Matt`s production profile which has brought his name to the fore of recent years. From his first two singles with the popular duo Smith & Pledger, entitled Day One and Connected, through to his club anthem `Slave to the Machine` with fellow DJ John Askew, Matt’s music has received extended support from the likes of Tiesto, Paul Oakenfold, Armin Van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and Judge Jules and found its way on to over 50 compilations worldwide. To follow up on the success of their joint single, Matt and John launched a double CD compilation called `Live as` for `Discover World` in 2006. Mixed club live and box fresh the `Live As` series gives a raw appeal that most commercial album somewhat lack, providing a real experience of the dj in his truest form. However, it was 2007 when Matt Hardwick really came of age when after kicking off the year with his remix of `Gulf - Impossible` was selected by Motorola, along with mixes by Mauro Picotto and Marco V, to launch the new David Beckham Razr phone, before being invited by his old family in Sheffield to record an underground mix on the retrospective album, “Gatecrasher Immortal”, following the fire at the superclub. The album received critical acclaim and went on to sell an unprecedented 100,000 copies and shortly after saw Matt being voted number 48 in the world in the 2007 DJ Mag Top 100 Poll (up 16 places from 2006). It’s business as usual for one of electronic music’s brightest stars. |
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