San Diego Pride

LeoMatthew-On Your Shore

Bitchin'

LeoMatthew: Hillcrest Moon

Leo Matthew had his first gig as a DJ back in 1991 at a small after-hours night club in Albuquerque called Maxwell’s. 
Leo had always been a fan of electronic music. Inspired by artists like The Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Depeche Mode, and Yaz, Leo knew at an early age that he wanted a career focused around this genre of music. His original hopes were to pursue a career as a radio DJ. As a teenager Leo was introduced to a variety of music by way of foreign exchange students who also shared his passion for this new wave of music. 
Leo realized that there was so much more out there on an international level than what was offered domestically. He looked to stores like Bow Wow Records and Her Majesty’s Secret Record shop in Albuquerque where he discovered new sounds by bands like My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Lords Of Acid, and The Shamen. Leo was on a quest to search out and possess as much of this style of music as possible.
Leo was introduced to Mark Zanoni, owner of Maxwell’s back in September of 1991 by a friend. Zanoni at the time was interested in Leo’s style of music and invited him to play the opening set of their popular Thursday night. At that time Leo had never seen or worked with a Technic’s 1200 turntable.
Leo played his first set radio style, one track to the next, using 2 standard home CD players. Even though he didn’t mix, something between what he was playing, and the crowd clicked in a very positive way. Zanoni offered Leo permanent residency alongside already residents Shawn Parker, Brad Cole, and Donovan. This was the beginning of an elite team of talent that would bring forth the underground dance movement in New Mexico along with other well respected talent like Eldon, Chris De Jesus, Kena, Deepsky, Gyrate, David Zaintz, Rev. Mitton, Donna Lee, Van Roy, Tok, and DJ Oona with so many more to follow.
From September of 1991 Leo never went a week without playing at least one gig. In his almost 20 years as a DJ, Leo was a major player at most underground rave parties in Albuquerque between 1991-2000. He’s held a successful reign of residences in nightclubs in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Leo Matthew held the longest consistent DJ residency in New Mexico history at the legendary Pulse Night Club every Saturday night from April of 1996 to November of 2007.
Leo has represented the New Mexico scene with great pride over the years playing over 18 major US cities from San Francisco to Miami Beach. 
He has shared the turntables and been a part of grand events featuring such valued international talent as DJ Dan, Taylor, Sandra Collins, Avenue D, RuPaul, Lady Bunny, Jackie Beat, Kathy Griffin, Christopher Lawrence, Sasha, John Debo, John Bishop, Markie, Max Graham, Commander Tom, Sandy B, Everything But The Girl, Radio Head, Dead or Alive, Donald Glaude, Dave Seaman, Pete Tong, Joe Bermudez, Paul van Dyk, Tiffany, Daft Punk, Lee Coombs, Kaskade, Anne Savage, Bad Boy Bill, Markus Schulz, Richard Humpty Vission, BT, Margaret Cho, Kimberly S, Phil B, The Crystal Method, The Tidy Boys, Ralphi Rosario, Boy George, Deepsky, Dave Ralph, Rabbit In The Moon, NJoi, CL McSpadden, Rob Vaughn, Darude, DJ Irene, Kristine W, Paul Oakenfold, Gyrate, Jason Dunne, Chris Fortier, Tiesto, Ultra Nate, Jimmy Van M, and Joey Beltram.
Leo now lives in San Diego, California.

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