The electronic music community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected and influential figures, Matt Tolfrey. The celebrated DJ, producer, and founder of Leftroom Records has passed away, as confirmed by his longtime friend and collaborator Damian Lazarus.
DJ, Producer, and Leftroom Records Founder Matt Tolfrey
The news broke early this morning (October 13) when Lazarus took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, revealing that Tolfrey had died over the weekend. No cause of death has yet been disclosed.
“This weekend we lost a key member of the extended Crosstown Rebels family,” Lazarus wrote. “Matt Tolfrey played a major role in our music scene and will be very sorely missed.” His message captured the immense loss felt across the global house and techno community, where Tolfrey’s creative energy and warm personality made him a beloved figure both behind the decks and beyond.
Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Bahrain, Tolfrey’s early exposure to diverse musical cultures shaped his wide-ranging taste and innovative approach to sound. Returning to England as a teenager, he quickly immersed himself in the local scene, earning his first DJ residency at a bar in Worcester.
His early sets reflected a deep passion for underground electronic music — a passion that would define his career for decades. While studying at university in Nottingham, Tolfrey hosted a regular radio show on NTU’s Fly FM, where he developed a loyal following for his carefully curated mixes.
It was during this period that he met Damian Lazarus at Stealth, a popular Nottingham nightclub. The encounter marked the beginning of a long and fruitful creative partnership. Over the next 20 years, the pair would perform together globally and collaborate across numerous projects, helping shape the sound of the modern underground scene.
“He produced key singles and remixes for us [Crosstown Rebels], and in recent years, was responsible for helping us work with artists that he represented such as Alinka, Jaden Thompson, AJ Christou, and Guti,” Lazarus explained. Through his ear for talent and his willingness to mentor emerging artists, Tolfrey became a bridge between generations of house music creators.
In 2005, he founded Leftroom Records, an influential label that provided a home for artists including Lee Burridge, Kate Simko, DJ Bone, and Jasper James. The label became synonymous with cutting-edge electronic music and the communal spirit of the UK’s underground scene. Leftroom’s success later spawned two sub-labels, Leftroom Limited and Leftout, both dedicated to nurturing creative collaboration and experimentation.
Despite his success as a label owner and producer, Tolfrey never lost his love for DJing — performing under both his own name and the alias Out-ed. His sets were known for their eclecticism, emotional depth, and infectious energy, reflecting his belief in the power of music to bring people together.
