The Viscera Transmissions co-head & long standing Ransom Note staffer steps up for our next Friends & Family mix with an hour and a bit of club focused energy.
Matt Cowell has carved out a distinctive space in the UK underground scene as a DJ, curator and label-head — a figure equally at home weaving deep, heads-down sets and steering conversations around forward-thinking music. As a key voice behind independent hub Ransom Note, co-founder of the boundary-blurring imprint Viscera Transmissions (home to artists like Niklas Wandt, Thomass Jackson, Shjva and The W.C. remix of Latrec’s Kutica), and resident selector for parties including Optick and Ransom Note events, his reach spans club nights, radio airwaves and DIY spaces across London and beyond. He’s also hosted and contributed to mixes and shows for platforms like Deeprhythms and various radio projects, showcasing his eclectic taste and ability to shape journeys that thrill dancers and listeners alike. We had a chat with Matt about the mix and to see what he has going on:
Hey Matt, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your mix and what the idea behind it was?
Thanks for having me mate! The mix is very club focused and reflects how I usually try and build when I’m playing – starting slightly heads-down before developing into more house and electro leaning sounds. I wanted to do something a little different to a peak-time mix although it kinda ended up that way in some parts. There’s an Evil Nine ft. Aesop Rock track in there which I’ve been hammering recently and felt like a nice moment, it kind of sets the tone for where the mix goes before things loosen up.
What are your preferred methods for finding new music—do you still enjoy digging around in dusty crates, or do you prefer to buy online?
I definitely do a bit of both. I dig in shops where you can lose a couple of hours and end up coming away with a few bits you didn’t know you were looking for. I also spend a lot of time online – Bandcamp, radio shows, it’s all part of a similar process. I don’t think I’d ever fully give up one for the other.
What are five records you couldn’t live without?
This is always tough, but will keep it to vinyl from my collection: –
Pulp – The Sisters EP
INI – Center of Attention
Gwen McCrae – On My Way LP
Seven Wonders – Crazy
Raymond Barry – TV Nights
I could keep going with the likes of: V.O. – Mashisha, Wanda Dee – To The Bone, Davina – Don’t You Want It and Four Tet – Rounds.
What has been one of your most memorable sets over your career?
One that I always remember is my first proper set at Vivify at The Factory in Plymouth, closing the basement b2b with DanBe. It was freezing, we were closing the night and ended up playing a lot of techno but everyone stayed until the end. That one has definitely stuck with me, being one of the first proper sets too. More recently, playing across London with different crews and DIY spaces and on the Ransom Note 15 year tour – all equally memorable in different ways. I have quite a few highlights from over the years, it’s difficult to list just one!
You co-run the label Viscera Transmissions, what was the idea and the focus behind the label when you started it?
From the start, Viscera was about representing a connected musical style. Ben and I have always been into a lot of different sounds, but there’s usually a cosmic thread running throughout. We never wanted to go down the route of being stuck to one genre – even though releases can be quite different, they still feel connected. It’s always been pretty organic too, working with artists we love and building things naturally rather than forcing the musical style.
What do you have up your sleeve for 2026?
There’s new music coming on Viscera including a little secret release expected around May, which we’re sure everyone’s going to love. I’ll also be playing at festivals like Love International and an exciting set in an aeroplane with Sarahtonin and Rosie Ama. In addition to that, more collaborations, new music, gigs and some exciting plans with Ransom Note – keeping things moving and evolving.
Thanks Matt 🙂
