Kidnap is the alias of Matt Relton, a London-based producer, label head, and sonic storyteller known for crafting emotionally rich, cinematic electronic music that lingers long after the last note fades. First making waves with his breakout track ‘Vehl’, which won iTunes Best Electronic Track in 2012, Kidnap quickly established a sound that’s both introspective and expansive—equal parts club-ready and soul-stirring. In 2015, he launched his own label, Birds That Fly, a creative haven for his evolving output, debuting with the heartfelt Moments featuring Leo Stannard. His 2019 debut album Grow was celebrated with an immersive audio-visual show at the Greenwich Planetarium. As an ambassador for Corona Sunset Sessions, Kidnap has taken his atmospheric sets across the globe, from Italian coastlines to Canadian peaks, while earning co-signs from legends like Sasha, Pete Tong, and Maceo Plex. Always chasing feeling over formula, Kidnap continues to blur the line between dancefloor euphoria and emotional depth – building not just tracks, but worlds.
Read our interview with prolific producer below.
Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
From as far back as I can remember, making music is all I wanted to do. I have no idea where the urge came from! My mum said I relentlessly tapped everything in sight, so eventually they bought me a drum kit. I view that as an act of extreme generosity.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
I’m always chasing a feeling. My goal is to make sound that helps me to understand the madness of the world a little better.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
The only staples of my music making are my piano, a Prophet 6 & a sampler. I have plenty of other things that come and go, but they’re the three things that persist.
What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
Drink a coffee and start playing the piano.
What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
Piezo – the audio capture software. I love to sample & this helps me grab little snippets easily on the go.
How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
I actually don’t think it has changed much. I still have a romantic perspective on the music-making process. I view it as a journey of self discovery and tend to become disinterested if the conversation ever turns too technical.
Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
For many years, I would get up before dawn and head to the studio so that I could work as the sun came up. Something about writing whilst the world slept helped me get in the zone. I was always alone but they are some of my happiest memories – lost in creation!
Any side projects you’re working on?
I spent most of 2024 convinced I was going to start an Indie band, but now I’m not so sure.
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
I’m a big fan of what Tom VR is doing. I think his music deserves more exposure.
What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
I listen to a lot of Slipknot.
Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
Lark Ascending is the greatest piece of music ever recorded in my opinion. It is inexhaustible.
Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
This is the year I’m going to get into gardening. I can feel it.
If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
The Tolkien quote – “Not all those who wander are lost” – comes to mind.
Famous last words?
Let’s make an album.
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