Music and art have been part of Matt Strickland aka RESTRICKTED'S life from a very young age. By the age of 13, he had already began to DJ for school dances and events. For his 18th birthday he only wanted one things, a pair of CDJ'S. Using his laptop and extensive song collection he began mixing music together and for his online Mix Show. RESTRICKTED is an award winning DJ that has been lucky enough to travel the world in the 8 years he has focused on his career as an artist, including stops in the US, Dominican Republic, China, and Canada, with hopes of continuing to more places in the near future. RESTRICKTED's Influences are Diplo, DJ Kav, RL Grime, and Tiesto just to name a few. RESTRICKTED has been luck enough to open for SIKDOPE, MAJOR LAZER, THE CHAINSMOKERS, ALESSIA CARA and HYPESETTERZ plus many more. While RESTRICKTED has made a strong stance with music, his Juno nominated MC/HIP HOP team member has also opened for SNOOP DOGG, ICE CUBE, FLO RIDA and RIHANNA plus others. After recently completing his North American Tour with the Neon Run, Restrickted is ready to bring the energy on home turf, with new songs, remixes, and mashups supported by big names such as LOOKAS, CRANKDAT, SIKDOPE and more.
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand. I think music in itself is healing, it’s an explosive expression of humanity, it’s something we are all touched by, no matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music. Music is different to a lot of people. For me, it’s a way of expressing all types of emotions and calming myself down no matter what I could be experiencing.
To provide the world with music that everyone can relate to and come together to enjoy, a place where everyone can feel accepted, and where you can dance like no one is watching
Stopping the spread of hate on everyone for their beliefs and values. Each and every person should be able to be who they want to be without being judged.
I grew up with a lot of music, from backstreet boys to garth brooks. I can't say i have a most memorable song from my childhood as I remember, and still enjoy a lot of the songs i used to listen to!
Major Lazer Backstreet Boys Walk off The Earth T-Pain Mother Mother plus others I can't think of at this moment, which are all based on personality, musical talent, and production quality of live shows!
Above all, it's the raw energy around me. Whether it be the emotions from a bad (or utterly amazing) day at work, the serenity of sitting alone in the woods or relaxing in the apartment with no sound an everything turned off save for a few candles that I've lit and the sounds of my acoustic guitar. My creativity feeds off of the energy of my surroundings, so what I write depends much on what energy I am channeling at the moment. If things are stagnant, then my creativity stagnates and slows to a crawl, which is when I get myself up and move around a bit...clean the apartment, go outside or even take 20 minute break for meditation, reading or to make a quick meal. Sometimes I stay at the computer and surf the web to find new music I haven't heard before, chosen at random without regards to how bad or good it may end up sounding.
I want people to understand what I have been through based on my music. All my past, my history, and possibly what I may be experiencing currently whether it be good or bad, I want people to be able to relate and know that they are not the only ones going through issues, and in turn makes people know that they are not, nor ever will be alone!
Surprisingly underwhelming. Now, that’s not to say performing is underwhelming. Even on most bad nights, it’s still the best job in the world. The only time the job is a drag is when there’s just no energy from the audience. The people that can provide ambiance music are a special breed. I’m not one of those. A packed venue where everyone is having a good time is my favourite regardless of the size. I remember my first properly big gig. I was extremely nervous beforehand, but then I went on stage and realised it wasn’t really that different than any other gig. I was playing the same music, performing with the same people, the stage was set up roughly the same (just bigger than I’m used to). The only real difference was solos. Instead of trying something new, I just went onto autopilot and let my brain and fingers do what they know how to do. The big difference to me between hundreds and thousands is you lose contact with the audience at that level. The stage is bigger and higher, the crowd is further away. The bigger stage also means losing a bit of contact with other members of the band. Not having that connection with the audience really takes the specialness out of performing. To date, two of the best gigs I’ve ever played have been the smallest. One was a strange booking on a tour. The stage would have a hard time accomodating a band half our size, there weren’t even enough mics. It was in this tiny, upstairs….something (it didn’t even look like a proper bar). But the crowd just went bonkers. Never had people quite lose their shit like that before, and it was freaking cool. The other was a gig I was sure I’d hate. Small, not a lot of people, large chance we would just be ambiance. Couldn’t have been more wrong. Everyone was really into it, it was super intimate, and it all just worked.
The classic image of a touring musician would seem counterintuitive to all we know about well-being, drinking in moderation, avoiding drugs, getting sufficient amounts of sleep, and having a support base of close friends and family nearby. These are the bonds that help keep you grounded ... It’s no surprise that some musicians struggle.Ninety-nine per cent of touring is the airports, the hotels, sitting in a metal tube for up to 16 hours at a time.It's easy to let your mind and body slip into decay. For those with anxiety, hotel rooms are like prison cells.
I think it is a creative way to share your talent and skill.
Being all dressed up with no place to go. Visual art, like an oil painting, evokes near-instant reactions. Music is art over time. People just don't seem to have the time to appreciate it, but they notice if it stops and ask for more. For that sort of response, we mght as well just replay the millions of hours already recorded.
Yes, As I play a residency at a nightclub each and every week, I invite guest djs to come and play with me for a few hours. Those up and coming djs need someone to appreciate their style while getting started and even if I am the only one on the dance floor, I make sure they know I am having a good time, it boosts confidence as well as you watch the talent increase because they are interested in making that one fan dance!
You've practiced until your fingers bled and fought through the periods of low motivation until, finally, you've broken through. Friends, family, and teachers alike all praise your ability on your instrument... so why are you not playing Madison Square Garden on New Year's Eve? Well, as we already know at this point, it takes more than skill to breed success. If you want to change the world of music, that's not going to be done just by being the best – people also need to recognize your creativity and individuality. By approaching your music in a unique and thoughtful way, you don't even have to be an amazing player. You can see examples like this all over the music industry. Take the Beatles, for instance. None of them were virtuosos at their individual instruments, but they did something that no one else did, and they will be remembered forever for it.
Hypesetterz Diametic Prairie Thunder Whimzy AABB