Matty Phillips

I was inspired by the Era of Energy to reflect upon my journey. Although the Era of Energy is first and foremost a house music record label, it is also a collective. It inspires people to live their feel-good lives. My truest feel-good self is a traveller.

Why I travel

Traveling is healing. While in Sri Lanka recently, I experienced feeling good. I’d finished a full day of surfing and relaxing at the beach before logging into a breakthrough therapy appointment. After, I spent time with close friends eating kottu and talking about the waves we caught together. Compared to my upbringing spent on a remote homestead, I’m more social than ever and learning to make real lifelong connections. Healing is a challenge, but some of the most growth comes from these moments of joy.

Traveling is rewarding, too. While traveling, I pick up DJ gigs in new countries. It’s a stark contrast from my former nine-to-five job in the states. My nomadic friends help select tracks and show up ready to party with me: after all, I’m gifted the gigs through their connection. I also produce music on my own time. Wherever my laptop goes, music is made. It could be years before I understand all the beautiful inspiration that travel gives to my tracks.

Finally, travel makes us all vulnerable. I’ve written about vulnerability through dance before as part of my silent discos recap. It’s an incredible strength. When Americans, French, Maldivians and more meet in a place new to us all, we find solidarity in each other. We meet locals and find things to do together because we’re stronger that way. I’ve learned that opening your heart to others is the best way to special friendships – in a global network, no less.

How my journey happened

Honestly, my journey started when I went to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. It was a straightforward choice, and I was looking for curated experiences. I didn’t know I’d meet a local Bavarian of 20 years that I’d come back to visit a year later. That taught me to allow the countries I visit to give me their mystical gifts upon arrival. From Hungary to Guatemala, my expectations are simply to have no expectations and explore the unknown.

Before setting off, I was a software engineer. I earned good money and I was steady in life. Since I was content, I won’t say the predictable line “I felt I was missing something in life.” It was coincidence that my first trip showed me the potential of travel. 18 months later, every day is still a school day and I learn every day how to be my best feel-good self.

What’s next?

In just three months, I plan to return to the U.S. to join my friends in making music. San Diego will be my new home. I’ve had mixed feeling about the return, but every time we meet virtually, I get more excited for it. The universe, too, sends clear signals. When I damaged my passport in Turkey, I had to get a replacement that expires in June . That secured for me my plan to return.

But I plan to continue travel for the rest of life. I want to keep the feeling of connection, healing and vulnerability around. Though music will be my main focus, travel is another lifestyle that will stick because it enables my feel-good version of myself.