Artists

Some follow trends. Rodriguez Jr. sets them. The alias of French electronic music artist Olivier Mateu, Rodriguez Jr. is a creative force who has reshaped the sonic possibilities of melodic house and techno. With over two decades of innovation, from his underground origins to international recognition, Mateu has become known for blending emotion and technology into a sound that is constantly evolving yet unmistakably his own.

His journey began under the mentorship of Laurent Garnier, releasing music on the influential F-Communications label as one half of the French electro duo The Youngsters. That experience helped sharpen his technical skills while nurturing a deep commitment to artistic freedom and exploration. Over time, he developed a signature sound built on analog warmth, emotive melodies, and hypnotic rhythms. Today, his music can be found on respected labels like Anjunadeep, Armada, and Mobilee, as well as his own imprint, Feathers & Bones. His unique style has made him a sought-after remixer for artists such as Stephan Bodzin, Monolink, Jan Blomqvist, Booka Shade, Eli & Fur, Röyksopp, NTO, Tricky, and Timo Maas.

Inspired by the vintage synthesizers in his Miami studio, Rodriguez Jr. brings his music to life in a live format that creates a powerful emotional connection with his audience. This personal and immersive approach to performance has become his trademark. His sets regularly transport fans in iconic venues and festivals across the globe, from Fabric London and Space Miami to Zamna Tulum, Movement Detroit, Lightning In A Bottle, CRSSD Festival in California, Cercle Festival, and the magic of Burning Man.

A significant part of his creative world is shared with Liset Alea, vocalist of Nouvelle Vague. Their collaboration began over twenty years ago while working on music for Laurent Garnier’s label, and has grown into an ongoing live and studio project known as RJLA. Together, they fuse Alea’s rich, expressive voice with Mateu’s detailed and cinematic production, telling musical stories that are both intimate and expansive. Their Cercle performance at the Falaises d’Étretat remains a defining moment, blending haunting vocals with powerful instrumentation in a setting that matched their emotional depth.

Rodriguez Jr. continues to expand his reach through consistent and impactful releases. His 2023 album Feathers & Bones, released on his own label, received wide acclaim. His track Destination Lost, a collaboration with Jan Blomqvist, hit over one million streams on Spotify within a few weeks. He was also selected to compose the soundtrack for the Dolby Atmos campaign promoting the Mercedes Maybach sound system, a project that highlighted the luxurious, immersive quality of his music. With over 650,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and growing, his global audience continues to expand.

At the core of everything Rodriguez Jr. creates is a desire to connect. Whether through a track, a performance, or a collaboration, his goal is to offer something real. His music bridges the space between analog and digital, between personal experience and collective emotion, between where we have been and where we are going. It is not just something to listen to, but something to feel.

In his own words, I don’t chase perfection. I chase the journey. That philosophy has guided a career built on creativity, emotion, and constant evolution. For Rodriguez Jr., the journey is far from over, and the best is still to come.