The Questionnaire: Matt Lambert
Promonews - 21st July 2014
Our latest Questionnaire victim Matt Lambert is a prolific filmmaker and photographer currently based in Berlin ("By way of LA, NYC and London"), whose work includes videos for Patrick Wolf and Austra, and several shorts chronicling the lifestyles of fast-living Berlin youth. He's currently working on on a TV series about relationships and sexuality among young people, in collaboration with Dazed, Iconoclast and a major TV network. And he's head of video for London-based, multidisciplinary art collective, Bare Bones. But with all that going on, Matt still found time to submit to our Questionnaire...
Education: Art (Graphic Design and Animation)
Previous occupations: Waiter, graphic designer and a few unmentionables…
Favourite music video of the past 12 months?: AG Rojas' video for Portugal. The Man's Modern Jesus is up there on the list.
Favourite video of all time?: Patrick Daughters' video for Depeche Mode's Wrong is definitely in the Top 5.
Favourite publications/websites: 032c, Dazed, Visionaire, Tissue, Purple, Flaneur, BUTT
Favourite food/restaurant: Sushi & Mexican
Favourite drink/drug: Wine
Last movie you saw (and was it any good)?: Something Must Break - beautiful, sexy and honest
Favourite directors: Just a few: Michael Haneke, Greg Araki, Larry Clark, LaBruce, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Fritz Lang, Guy Maddin, Xavier Dolan…
Last gig you went to (and was it any good)?: Hercules and Love Affair - loved it!
Favourite bands/artists: Hard to say, but right now listening to a lot of NYC kids: Cakes da Killa, Le1f, Mykki Blanco, Junglepussy…
"Advice? .... I'd say be passionate about music or don't bother. Then find a band you LOVE and try to reach out to them directly..."
Currently reading/favourite book: Right now starting to read 'Food Chain' by Slava Mogutin, and 'Suiciders' by Travis Jeppessen.
What was the first music video you worked on - and what were you doing on that job?: PA on a video for The Hunns, featuring Duane Peters.
Favourite job of the past 12 months: Austra 'Habitat', Westernhagen 'Alphatier Trilogie', MEAT and my editorials for HEADMASTER and Flaneur.
What’s the next Big Thing you’re working on?: A TV show and a photography book
What would most improve your life?: Funding
Best moment, or fondest memory, of your career thus far?: A few highlights were the production of 'Heile Gänjse', shooting with Bruce LaBruce, the work and exhibitions I did with Bare Bones and probably half of the photo shoots I've done since living in Berlin.
Worst moment?: The three months spent directing a commercial for a major US bank
Biggest frustration?: A lack of trust and an inability to see past the surface of my work
Person you most admire? I'm in post on a music video for Hercules and Love Affair now. Juliana Huxtable is featured, and I'm pretty into her at the moment. Also pretty excited when I get to spend time with David Wilson, Aaron Brown of Focus Creeps, Lucy McCrae, Geoff Lillemon, Gio Black Peter, The Bare Bones crew, AG Rojas, Brian Lee Hughes and other friends who keep me inspired.
Your favourite (or most overused) phrase?: Right now - Faggot and Cunt
What advice would you give to someone starting out in music video production?: I'm probably not the best person to ask, but I'd say be passionate about music or don't bother. Then find a band you LOVE and try to reach out to them directly. Know yourself first and have something to say.
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Promonews - 21st July 2014