Full name — Matthew Jonathan Darey. Born on November 29, 1968 in Leicester, England. He began his musical career in the early 1990s, when the trance and club electronic scene was just starting to gain momentum. From a young age, he was passionate about DJing and creating remixes, experimenting with synthesizers and early electronic music production software.
The real breakthrough came when, under the alias Li Kwan, he released the track “Point Zero,” showcasing a deep, hypnotic trance sound. This helped him earn respect in clubs and among electronic music enthusiasts.
From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, he gained recognition through projects under various names and aliases: Lost Tribe, Li Kwan, Sunburst, and others. Their tracks, such as “Gamemaster” (Lost Tribe), became hits in club charts.
In the mid-to-late 2000s, Matt Darey launched his own radio show Nocturnal, which became an important milestone in his career — the program quickly gained popularity, was broadcast in many countries, and became a recognizable brand in the world of trance and electronic music. Later, he founded the label Darey Products, where he releases his works and collaborates with young artists. He constantly experiments: new sounds, formats, remixes, collaborations, and exploring different genres (from trance to progressive and club electronic music).
Discography (main)
Here are some key releases by Matt Darey — albums, EPs, and notable singles:
Albums / EPs:
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The Distant Voices EP (as Lost Tribe) — an early breakthrough release that demonstrated the ability to produce quality trance.
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Decade — a compilation/album covering his early tracks and development.
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Blossom & Decay — an album showcasing his mature, atmospheric sound.
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Wolf — one of his latest albums, where he applied new sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos in some tracks.
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Also, projects under the alias Urban Astronauts with a different mood — more alternative and experimental.
Notable singles and tracks:
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“Gamemaster” (Lost Tribe) — one of the most iconic and recognizable tracks, which became a cult hit.
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“Point Zero” (Li Kwan) — a melodic trance track that stood out with its atmosphere.
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“Liberation,” “Beautiful” (with vocals), “U Shine On,” “Moody” — tracks that received great feedback from listeners.
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Later releases such as “Beautiful Day,” “Sum of All Fears,” and others, where he worked with vocals and expanded musical horizons.
Interesting facts
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Matt Darey is one of those producers who successfully transitioned from the underground club scene to more mainstream projects, while still maintaining respect among trance fans.
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His show Nocturnal became not just a radio program but a brand, broadcast worldwide, with regular sets, guests, and mixes.
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He was among the first to use new sound formats: the album Wolf includes tracks mixed with Dolby Atmos surround sound — allowing listeners to experience music in a new way.
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Matt has released numerous remixes of other artists’ tracks — often successful and well-received by the community, boosting his influence as a producer.
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He often performs at festivals and clubs around the world, adapting to the audience — his sets can include both old trance classics and modern electronic sounds.
