Interview: Matt Wilde On Sophomore Album Find a Way, Jazz Renaissance, and His Own Imprint Hello World Records

Matt Wilde is one of those artists that leave a mark from the first listen. The Manchester pianist landed in my ears 4 years ago with "Dilla Impressed Me", and it wasn't just the title that stood out - his playful keys felt so natural on top of classical boom-bap drums, all fused with warm horns.

Ever since, Matt has worked with names like FloFilz, Natty Reeves, Alice Auer, Toshiki Soejima, and Awon. He's also released an album, an EP & a dozen singles ever since. His sophomore album Find a Way is just around the corner (out everywhere on Oct 10th - you can pre-save it here) and it marks the first release of his own imprint Hello World Records.

Wilde stopped by for a chat to also share more about his music, the jazz revival, Manchester's scene & so much more.

Hi Matt, pleasure to have you! Where do we find you now, answering these questions?

Hey, thanks for having me! I’m in my home studio in Manchester, where I write and produce the majority of my music, and create content for my YouTube channel. It’s a small space but it has everything I need at the moment which I'm grateful for.

A lot of artists have a surprising backstory/fun fact when it comes to music – i.e. a punk-rock band in their teenage years. What’s yours?

I didn’t study music, and I discovered jazz through a slightly unconventional journey. Starting out as a self-taught beat maker, I grew up making tracks for friends in the Manchester grime scene and DJing electronic music at clubs like Sankeys, before falling in love with jazz through the works of hip hop legends like Madlib, J Dilla, and Pete Rock. I wanted to find the records that they were sampling, and one day I stumbled across J Dilla’s Life, which sampled Miles Davis’ Blue in Green, and it was the closest thing to the kind of creative expression that I imagined. From that day on, I decided to start learning the piano in the hope that one day I might be able to sample my own playing like the greats were sampling others.

What do you think about the jazz renaissance in recent years? Why did people fall back in love with jazz?

I think people have discovered the honesty, authenticity, and sense of connection that jazz can bring. Artists like Robert Glasper, Alfa Mist, Erykah Badu, and Ezra Collective have helped bridge the gap between jazz and other genres, and they’re showing that jazz can evolve with other influences but still maintain deep roots. 

You have to do an elevator pitch about your sophomore album, Find a Way (out tomorrow) – go!

Find a Way is a record built around piano, trumpet, and bass layered over intricately programmed drums. Blending jazz, hip hop and electronic music, it's a reminder about process, patience and resilience — what it means to keep creating in times of uncertainty. 

Okay, now let’s dive into it a bit deeper – what’s the concept/story of it? And how did the creation process go (including working with the collaborators)?

The record began as a series of journal entries, reflecting on life, creativity, and resilience — how as humans no matter what challenges are thrown our way we adapt, respond, and seek solutions towards a better world. Written with my friend and long-time collaborator Aaron Wood, we recorded between our two studios in Manchester and Huddersfield. We actually had live drums recorded for the album and then deleted it all to program everything myself in Ableton and create the sounds I was hearing in my head.

You mention the album is “rooted in Northern energy”. Can you elaborate a bit more on how the Manchester scene is different than London’s, for example?

Manchester has always had this pioneering, inter-connected spirit. The scene is a fusion of different sounds and cultures which creates something that, to me, is uniquely Manchester. The city’s musical heritage runs deep, from northern soul to Factory Records and the birth of electronic dance music. As Tony Wilson famously said, "Manchester kids have the best record collections." There was graffiti of that round the corner from where I grew up.

Why did you decide to start your own label, Hello World Records? And where does the name stem from?

Find a Way is the first release on my own imprint, Hello World Records, a small artist-first space for storytelling and creative development.

Hello World Records was born out of a desire to create an artist-first space for storytelling and creative development. It's about care, transparency, and giving artists the creative space and support they deserve. The name is inspired by my debut album Hello World, released in 2023 with Band on the Wall, an iconic organisation situated in the heart of Manchester. It comes from something I once read about birds singing at sunrise to tell each other they’ve made it through the night. Maybe that’s why we make music too — as a way of saying, "I made it. I’m here." 

You started releasing in 2021. What changed in you as an artist & the scene, in your opinion, over those 4 years?

I’ve learned so much through releasing my first album, EPs, and singles in the last four years, and am really grateful for all the support so far. I’ve realised just how powerful collaboration can be — for example in 2024 I joined a writing camp in Limoux, France, organised by Zahlbach Publishing, and in 2025 joined FloFilz and Ichon for writing sessions in Frankfurt, Germany. When people from different walks of life, different musical disciplines, come together in a room, the music takes on a different form. 

The landscape of the music industry keeps evolving year after year. There’s more emphasis on self-promotion now, with more of the marketing falling directly on artists. It's a great way to connect with listeners, but I’ve had to find ways to manage my practice and creative time alongside this. 

Playing live vs. in the studio?

That's a difficult one! I don't think there's a definitive answer. In the studio, I have all my gear within reach, so I can create more spontaneously when I have new ideas, as well as sit down regularly as part of my daily routine. But the connection and shared energy of playing live with others is incredible. I enjoy both equally, and each one feeds the other.

If you could collaborate with anyone, alive or deceased, who would it be?

I’ve been hugely influenced by artists like J Dilla, Bill Evans, and Herbie Hancock — all of whom I’d love to have collaborated with. 

What’s next for Matt Wilde & Hello World Records?

I’m looking forward to sharing Find a Way and taking it on the road with UK live shows in November. Beyond that, I’m excited to keep sharing my process on YouTube in case it helps inspire others with theirs, whilst collaborating with other artists, exploring new projects, and continuing to build something with care and creativity at its centre.