One Sunday morning, one DJ booth and one encounter with Tony De Vit changed everything. In this episode of Hard House History, Paul Glazby sits down with Matt Smallwood to trace a life in dance music, from teenage obsession and London club nights to producing hard house and helping shape releases for global artists.
Matt takes us back to Sunnyside Up, where a sixteen-year-old newcomer found himself beside Tony De Vit, watching records being selected and learning how a master controlled the energy of a dancefloor. His account of Tony's mixing technique captures the excitement of discovering something that would become much more than a weekend interest.
Then come the belt-drive decks, handwritten demo tapes and nervous first opportunities. Matt recalls landing an unexpected set at Trinity at the Chunnel Club when Tony Price was delayed, turning a last-minute favour into a regular opportunity. Along the way, Steve Thomas, Trade, and London's underground scene helped him understand what makes a set connect.
The conversation moves into his creative partnership with Ali Wilson, making music in the Blue Room Studio and releasing tracks including Let the Games Begin, Just Listen, Devastation and Give Me All You Got. Paul and Matt revisit their shared Vicious Circle connections, friendships that have lasted decades, and the possibility of returning to the studio.
Beyond the booth, Matt explains how Trackitdown opened the door to a different side of the industry. He spent 13 years at Toolroom, moving from licensing and compilations to leading A&R and label management. He also reflects on signing Feel My Need and the difficult decision to leave a team that felt like family.
Now working at Club Class, Matt shares the realities of managing labels, developing The Cross and overseeing music releases connected to James Hype and Meduza.
It's a conversation about opportunity, relationships and keeping that original musical spark alive.
Listen now, then tell us which DJ, track or club night first got you hooked.
Share this episode with the mate who was there, and follow Hard House History for stories from the people behind the scenes.
#HardHouseHistory #MattSmallwood #PaulGlazby #TonyDeVit #HardHouse #AliWilson #ViciousCircle #ToolroomRecords #DanceMusicHistory #UKClubCulture
