Regan Matthews, is the prolific Perth born producer aka Ta-ku who has been releasing music seemingly non-stop over the past few years. From tribute projects, to big name collaborations including a single with Jaden Smith to double concept EPs there’s no stopping this guy.
He recently dropped his brand new EP titled Songs To Make Up To (out via Future Classic), it’s the companion piece to his acclaimed ‘Songs To Break Up To’ from 2013, and it’s one of our favourite local Eps to be released this year.
To celebrate the release of the EP, and it subsequent impressive (stunning) singles ‘Love Again’ feat. JMSN & Sango and ‘Love Time No See’ feat. Atu. we caught up with the talented to producer to give you a crash course on some of his best and most ambitious work.
50 Days For Dilla
Six years after the death of underground hip hop producer and legend J Dilla, Ta-Ku undertook a pretty incredible tribute titled 50 Days For Dilla. The project consisted of the producer coming up with a brand new beat everyday for “50 Days consecutively”.
Ta-Ku finished the project in the allocated 50 days and it’s a pretty impressive collections of upbeat old and new hip hop beats. While undertaking the project he learnt “how to create spontaneously and without any inhibition.” The outputs were received “really well – considering I was putting music out everyday. People were so responsive and really encouraging.”
Ta-Ku’s Favourite track: ‘Day 50’
’25 Nights For Nujabes’
Following in a similar vein to 50 Days For Dilla, Ta-Ku then went on to another dedication project titled 25 Nights for Nujabes. Nujabes was an influential Japanese producer hip hop who passed away in 2010. Known for his broken beat style and for often blending jazz influences into his songs, Nujabes creating a mellow, nostalgic and atmospheric sound.
Same as before, he created Ta-Ku a new beat every night this time “25 Nights consecutively” in honour of the producer. What Ta-Ku enjoyed most about the process was “very much like 50 Days For Dilla – the project allowed me to express myself very freely and it was a lot of fun.”
In terms of the reception from Ta-Ku and Nujabes fans Ta-ku says “I think really well. Day 1 is very popular. However a lot of people are really big fans of Nujabes. So it was important to do the man justice and show my respects.”
Ta-Ku’s Fave track: ‘Day 1’
Songs To Break Up To
Released in 2013 Ta-Ku released the moody 10 track EP called Songs To Break Up To. The jazz influenced melancholy release was inspired by as you can probably guess – “heartbreak”.
Created over a “six months” period, Ta-Ku learnt the true emotional power of music, as he explains “the music really does help heal. It helps you express the things your own words or actions cannot.”
In terms of what people thoruhg of the release, he explained “people seemed to really identify with it. It meant a lot and really touched my heart.” And how could it not, this release perfect encapsulates an emotional state everyone has to deal with, losing someone close to them.
Ta-Ku’s Fave track: ‘Hope You’re Well’
Songs To Make Up To
This year Ta-Ku dropped his latest release titled Songs To Make Up To (via Future Classic) and as kind of a follow on from the previous release it’s what you’d expect from this progressive though retrospective beatmaker.
Taking “one year” to complete, the release is about “being ok with oneself” and “that being ok with yourself and relying on your own strength and direction is all you need sometimes”. The shiny lounge-hip hop-jazz hybrid seven track release is just the latest instalment in this producer’s stellar discography. We’re sure there’s plenty more good stuff to come though.
Ta-Ku’s Fave track: ‘Love Again’
