Daily Inspiration: Meet Matthew Speroff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Speroff.

Matthew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was young, I went about life with a rhythm flowing through me.

In elementary school I would tap my pencil to beats in my mind to help pass the time during classes. At 10 years old I used all the money I had saved up to purchase my very first drum set. I began teaching myself how to play drums and from that moment on my journey as a musician truly catalyzed.

In addition to being a drummer, I was an avid music lover and aficionado. Apple iTunes was my favorite program on the computer and I loved filling up my iPod nano with all of the greatest music I could get my hands on. I loved everything, all genres, and loved having a unique and broad music collection. My favorite thing was showing my friends new music, and to this day this is why I believe I love DJing so much.

As a teenager my music preference started shifting. I started listening to less rock, hip-hop, and pop music and started listening to much more electronic and edm music. These were the early days of electronic dance music and I remember feeling sort of outcasted with my music taste because many of the artists and songs were considered underground and edm was not very popular or mainstream at the time. The streaming platform “SoundCloud” became my go to platform for listening to music and eventually I stopped logging into apple iTunes altogether. My passion for edm music solidified as the genres and culture expanded and evolved over time.

Attending concerts and raves was my favorite thing to do, I was always at the next show. I was a huge fan of all of these emerging artists.
It wasn’t until I attended the Lost Lands music festival for the very first time that I realized I wanted to be behind the decks, not just in the crowd. Seeing the dubstep DJs at Lost Lands inspired me to learn how to DJ and to create my own DJ project. I decided it was time to learn how to produce my own electronic music.

This is how the TRIIIBEmusic project was born. Since then I have been on a journey teaching myself how to produce electronic music. In addition to learning music production and being a certified bedroom DJ, I became a regular within the local Cleveland EDM community. I started attending more shows and local events and started making friends with other DJs/producers in Cleveland. Eventually I started getting booked for events and I began performing shows.

Up till now I have played countless shows and events, including events I have created alongside my friends. I play out almost every other weekend and am very grateful for the opportunities I have.

My absolute favorite thing is bringing people together to enjoy music. I love this lifestyle so much, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve worked so hard to make my passions a part of my daily life and I am very grateful to be where I am.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth by any means. All progress and successes in life come from many failures and losses.

The art of music production is very technical and challenging. It’s a skill that takes decades to master, yet there is always more to learn. I made 100 terrible tracks before I ever made a song that I decided was good enough to show my friends. As a performing artist, having your own original work is crucial when it comes to standing out from the crowd. I would sit in my home studio for hours and hours messing with sounds learning how to make certain sounds from scratch. It’s the art of making a certain sound, sound good. I’ve been producing seriously for the last five years and I still have so much to learn when it comes to sound design, audio engineering, and mastering.

The first couple years into DJing I struggled to book performances. I didn’t maintain a collection of my own music at the time, I lacked connections to individuals within the Cleveland EDM community who hosted shows & events, and I had no credibility as a performer at the time. I started going out to more shows and started meeting new people and making friends, and eventually I worked my way into the scene. If you love doing something, the biggest factor is never giving up. Since then I have played dozen of shows. I maintain a solid portfolio of original music & collaborations, and I have an incredible network of people around me who inspire and motivate me to elevate to the next level. Cleveland maintains an exceptionally diverse electronic music scene and there are so many talented producers, DJs, and artists here. There is a core culture that exists within the rave community centered around one love and that inexplicably exists amongst the music producers/DJs in Cleveland. We love and support one another. I’m very blessed to have the friends that I have.

Confidence, consistency, persistence, and discipline are key when it comes to making music and being a successful artist. The greatest obstacle I have faced on this journey has been myself. Believing in myself has been the most powerful force pushing me forward on this journey. And this journey is far from being over. I look at making music as life long adventure. In the end it’s not really about the destination, its about the journey, and who you become along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I look at making music as a full-time job, and hope that one day it can pay the bills. That’s the dream. I just want to make people feel good. Music is such a powerful tool for that.

When it comes to music production, I love making tracks in many different genres of EDM.
I specialize in bass music, specifically Deep Dub, Dubstep, Space Bass, and Experimental Bass.
I also enjoy testing the waters when it comes to Trap, Heavy Bass, Riddim, Drum & Bass, UK Garage, House music, and Lo-fi.

When it comes to actually paying the bills, I currently am a full-time bartending at a local taco & tequila spot in Cleveland called Barrio. I really enjoying hanging out with bar patrons and making margaritas. Working at a restaurant makes it extremely easing to balance my busy schedule and call off when needed for performances.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned on this journey is to believe in yourself. To look within, and not look outside yourself. We all have one life to live. If you really love something, go for it. Make it happen. Put in the work. Go big or go home. You have to believe in yourself first before anyone else can believe in you. That’s the first step and the biggest factor in any individuals success. Believe in yourself and stay curious.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triiibemusic
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Third3y3Tribe
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdeyetriiibe
• soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/triiibalmusic