Hiya Matreya, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I started learning Spanish guitar when I was about 11 years old. Then, in high school, I taught myself GarageBand, which led to me producing for some local rappers when I was around 15.
At that point, I didn’t even know I could sing. It wasn’t until I recorded a Nate Dogg-style chorus for a rapper that he turned to me and said, ‘You can actually sing.’ That was the moment I realized music wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was a real path I could follow.
Introduce us to you and all your musical history.
I think some people might remember me from my time on The X Factor UK as Mason Noise. But before that, I was already making music as an independent artist and trying to find my own path. I had the chance to do a couple of UK club tours and started gaining some momentum, which led to SBTV supporting my single Take a Seat. That was thanks to the late, great Jamal Edwards, who gave me an opportunity at a time when R&B wasn’t really a focus on the platform. I’ll always be grateful for that support—it was a big part of what led me to the show.
What’s the live music scene like in Birmingham right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Birmingham has a great music scene—there’s a lot of talent across a wide range of genres. The R&B and hip-hop community here is especially strong, and two artists I love seeing live are Sanity the MC and Tarju Le’sano. They bring something fresh and authentic to the stage, and it’s always inspiring to watch.
I’ve seen a lot of people struggling for support recently online. What’s your view on the industry?
I think the music industry has become like most industries now—a small percentage of major artists occupy the top spots, while the rest are left to fend for themselves, fighting over whatever funding and opportunities remain. We’ve homogenized creativity, conditioning people to accept whatever is dictated as trendy.
But things are shifting. Audiences are becoming more conscious, seeking out authenticity over manufactured appeal. Independent artists now have direct access to listeners in ways that weren’t possible before, building their own worlds without middlemen. The gatekeepers don’t hold the same power they once did, and as technology evolves, the playing field is slowly leveling. The industry may still be structured around the few, but the future belongs to those carving their own path.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I’ve always felt like an outsider if I’m honest. But I don’t necessarily think an artist should be anything else—our role is to sit on the fringes, mirroring the current state of affairs back to society. You have to exist outside of convention if you want to create something with real substance. The industry often tries to mold artists into predictable shapes, but I’m more interested in forging my own way forward, staying true to my vision, and allowing the music to resonate with those seeking something deeper.
Tell us two truths and a lie about you.
Okay, here are three facts about me—one of them isn’t true…
1. I was the youngest ever black belt in karate in the UK
2. At one point I wanted to apply for the SAS which is a branch of British special forces
3. I once had a trial for a semi-pro football team
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss…
It’s interesting because I somewhat experienced this on X Factor—the backlash I received when I dropped the mic was intense, to the point where my life was threatened simply for speaking out the way I did. That experience taught me a lot about public perception and the way people project their emotions onto artists.
I believe we’re in a time that demands honest communication. Long-form podcasting wouldn’t be carving its way through the social and political landscape if people weren’t searching for depth, nuance, and unfiltered dialogue. It’s imperative that we risk discussing the edgy and taboo subjects—we have to risk offending each other for the sake of real conversation.
As a society, we need to grow up. We can’t keep using public figures as scapegoats, projecting our own unexamined shadows onto them instead of facing our inner complexities.
Do I worry about cancel culture? Yes—but not for myself. I worry about what it says about society. We must learn to clumsily stumble through difficult dialogues, embrace the discomfort, and move beyond reactionary outrage if we truly want to evolve.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not, why not?
I’d love to believe that aliens are among us—that we’re quietly coexisting with hybrid beings from distant star systems without even realizing it. It seems entirely possible. After all, we disguise ourselves to observe nature, so who’s to say something else isn’t doing the same to us?
What was your best experience on stage?
Probably the O2 Arena in London—shooting up through the stage on a hydraulic lift to appear before nearly 40,000 people. The roar of the crowd rippled through my bones as I stood surrounded by beautiful dancers and pyrotechnics. I would have liked to be more present for the experience, but I was too focused on not slipping down the Perspex stairs in my dress shoes.
What was your worst experience on stage?
I remember performing my first club tour as a teen and having a drunken man walk onto the stage mid-song to ask me for spare change. In that moment, I admitted to myself that the crowd was far too drunk to care, so I went along with it—patting my pockets, pretending to look for coins to help him buy another drink… which, in hindsight, he probably didn’t need.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
That I am extremely sensitive and introverted at times. Maybe because I am a performer, people are shocked to find out that I love retreating inwards and can tire of social situations quickly. This reflects a polarity within my astrological chart—Leo, which represents the Sun’s need to shine, and Aquarius, which is linked to the distant stars and introspection. So although I am regularly misunderstood because of this, it is a dynamic that fuels my artistry.
What are the next steps you plan to take as a band to reach the next level?
To keep releasing music this year, and to perform live so I can meet the new Matreyan community in the flesh!
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
‘Eagles’ is a song about resilience, transformation, and rising beyond limitations. It’s about reclaiming one’s power—soaring after falling, finding strength in vulnerability. It’s not just a song, it’s an experience—a moment of flight for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild themselves.
What was the recording process like?
I recorded Eagles in my bedroom and ended up using the very first take. I tried to re-record it, but nothing quite captured the essence of that initial moment—it was a very quick and spontaneous process for me. Everything you hear is from my humble studio at home, exactly as it was first expressed.
I recorded Eagles in my bedroom and ended up using the very first vocal take. I tried to re-record it, but nothing quite captured the essence of that initial moment—it was a very quick and spontaneous process for me. From there, I worked with two wonderful producers, Iwan VanHetten and Reece Hayden, who helped bring the track to life. They added so much depth and energy to the song, making sure the final version stayed true to that raw, emotional spark from the original take.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
A song has to have a backbone—meaning that if it’s truly great, it can be transposed into multiple genres and still be recognizable. I’ve learned to keep this in mind when writing and producing, ensuring that the essence of the song stands on its own, no matter how it’s dressed.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
For an artist, their work is never finished. And that is why deadlines and budgets can actually be extremely helpful—they force you to release something into the world rather than endlessly refine it. At some point, you have to trust that the essence is there.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
We are moving into a radically new world, and 2025 will be a year like no other. Stay grounded, stay in love, and hold tightly onto the life you dream about. Now is the time to explore your own creative depths—transformation begins within, and what you bring forward has the power to shape the future.
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