Daily Inspiration: Meet Matthew McQueen

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

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Matthewdavid is a Los Angeles-based musician, producer, and the founder of the independent record label Leaving Records. His journey in music started with a strong interest in experimental and ambient sounds. He initially began as a DJ, creating a name for himself in the underground electronic music scene. His early work blended elements of electronic music with genres like hip-hop, psychedelia, and R&B, often creating a unique, immersive sound that stood out in the Los Angeles music scene.

In 2008, he founded Leaving Records, a label that would go on to define his aesthetic and approach to music. The label became known for its forward-thinking, genre-blurring approach, focusing on experimental and boundary-pushing artists. Matthewdavid’s work with Leaving Records has included collaborations with artists like Flying Lotus, Shlohmo, and Mndsgn, among others.

His own music blends lo-fi production with experimental electronic soundscapes. His 2011 album Outmind, for example, showcased his ability to combine abstract production with a sense of warmth and soul. Over time, he developed a reputation as a key figure in the L.A. beat scene and a proponent of the city’s diverse, genre-defying musical landscape.

As of today, Matthewdavid remains an influential figure in both the electronic and experimental music scenes. Through his work with Leaving Records, he continues to champion emerging artists while also exploring his own musical evolution. His approach to music has always been innovative, and his contributions to the scene have made him a respected artist and curator in the music industry. In 2024 Matthewdavid was Grammy-nominated for his ambient sound design contributions to the André 3000 album New Blue Sun.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth. The music industry is challenging to navigate, in Los Angeles, and in America. Artists and musicians, especially in more experimental underground scenes and communities, are often undervalued and underpaid. Leaving Records and Matthewdavid’s music continue to persevere as we organize alternative events and invent new models with our LA-based and global underground experimental all genre music community despite continuous financial sustainability road blocks.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Business owner, A&R, curator, artist, musician, father, husband.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m a pretty good scratch DJ? I used to rap? My favorite video game is Chrono Trigger? I love 16bit RPGs? I take experimental photography? I paint? I can’t cook very well?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leavingrecords.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leavingrecords/

Image Credits
Sam Lee