What do you think Timon and Pumpaa would be listening to if someone gave them an iPod? Some how-to-raise-a-baby-lion self-help audio book, sure, and probably hours of relaxed tropical house playlists. The ones that would definitely include countless tracks from Matoma—the Norwegian rising tropical house star, who’s just played a successful Coachella show and is ready to make the flower crowns fall to his knees this weekend one more time. We caught up with the young producer before Weekend 2 in the Polo Fields to discuss his new “evolving album” Hakuna Matoma, his affection for hip-hop and why he’s a dream artist for any promoter.  

First things first: How was your first Coachella experience? Your stage did get quite crowded…

Coachella was just insane, seriously. To play in such a beautiful place, with such huge production, to like 25,000 fans... It's just a dream! And then to have my friends like Madcon and Nico & Vinz join me on stage, and guys like Sean Paul and Ja Rule doing guest performances, I'm still pinching myself! I can't wait for [this] weekend!

How did you make it all the way from Norway to the Coachella?

I began with the classical piano when I was 8 years old, so I’m classically trained. I even got a scholarship. I did practice too much, so by the time I was 16 I almost lost my passion for crafting music. That’s when I opened my laptop and started producing house music.  

How did you become Matoma?

It’s a funny story. Me and my brother went to a party. At the time I had another name, a really really terrible one. So my brother told me at that party: “Man, your name sucks, you need to change that.” So we started coming up with new names and somehow a friend of ours brought up The Lion King and hakuna matata. It clicked with us: “Matoma.” Then we woke up, very hangover, went to the studio and started using Matoma from there.

What’s been the most pivotal record you ever heard?

My biggest influence has always been old school hip-hop. Notorious B.I.G. especially.

That explains why you decided to remix his track. What inspired that one?

Well, it’s obviously a great song. And I decided it would be cool to bring it up to the younger listeners, who may not know about it. Make it more uptempo and festival-ready.

That one surely stands out on all the festivals you’re doing recently. What other tricks do you use to get the festival crowd going?

To get the festival crowd going you need high energy from both yourself and the music you’re playing. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to play bangers. You may spin deep house, too. If you can make people understand your music and if you have a story behind the set, then it will work. So you need to know where you’re going with the music you’re playing. It’s all about having fun, knowing your crowd and being honest with yourself.

Tell me about your evolving album model… How does it all work?

The idea of the record is a "dynamic album. It’s kind of like a playlist where we’re adding some tracks here and there. The album grows with the playlist and subscribers constantly get new music. So once the story is told we can wrap it up, change the title and the cover art.

What’s the craziest thing on your rider?

I like to keep it simple and don’t make the promoters work more than they already are. I’m not one of these artists who only wants green M&Ms in their room. I like to get some beers, water and snacks.

What apps do you use the most?

iMessage when I’m texting my family back home. I’m not a big fan of texting though: I like to interact with people in real life. Which can be tricky in the current state of the world with all the social media. But I try! And of course I also put pictures on my Instagram.

What’s gonna be your summer highlight?

Tomorrowland in Belgium, Electric Zoo in New York and Coachella’s second weekend. I’m playing the Sahara tent on the 23rd. It’s such a huge moment in my career. I can’t even imagine how crazy it’s all gonna go!

What else are you excited about this year?

To continue developing as a producer and release more music. And share it with my fans, which made it all possible. This is gonna be a huge year.