#35 Music, Creativity, and Business: Building Community That Lasts with Matthew MacPhee
Thu Jan 29 2026
In this episode, we sit down with a multidisciplinary creative Matthew MacPhee, whose journey took him from university life to Vietnam — and into a life built around music, festivals, and community. Wearing many hats as a DJ, festival organizer, bar co-owner and a founder of a co-living co-creating space, he shares what truly connects all these roles and how he’s learned to navigate multiple creative paths without losing focus or purpose.
We dive into the often delicate relationship between creativity and business, exploring whether the two can genuinely coexist or if tension is inevitable. He reflects on the idea of “talent” versus persistence, and mindset, and how much creative growth depends on the spaces and people we surround ourselves with.
A big part of the conversation centers on community — from co-living and creative spaces to festivals as platforms for human connection, cultural exchange, and collective expression.
We explore how living and working within a creative community shapes not just artistic output, but daily habits, self-belief, and a deeper sense of meaning.
This episode is a thoughtful exploration of building a creative life that blends art, business, and community — and a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to exist in isolation.
Guest Info:
Instagram: @matsacre
Outlandish Festival:
Website: https://outlandishfest.com/
Instagram: @outlandish.vn
This episode was filmed at @geistcreate
More
In this episode, we sit down with a multidisciplinary creative Matthew MacPhee, whose journey took him from university life to Vietnam — and into a life built around music, festivals, and community. Wearing many hats as a DJ, festival organizer, bar co-owner and a founder of a co-living co-creating space, he shares what truly connects all these roles and how he’s learned to navigate multiple creative paths without losing focus or purpose. We dive into the often delicate relationship between creativity and business, exploring whether the two can genuinely coexist or if tension is inevitable. He reflects on the idea of “talent” versus persistence, and mindset, and how much creative growth depends on the spaces and people we surround ourselves with. A big part of the conversation centers on community — from co-living and creative spaces to festivals as platforms for human connection, cultural exchange, and collective expression. We explore how living and working within a creative community shapes not just artistic output, but daily habits, self-belief, and a deeper sense of meaning. This episode is a thoughtful exploration of building a creative life that blends art, business, and community — and a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to exist in isolation. Guest Info: Instagram: @matsacre Outlandish Festival: Website: https://outlandishfest.com/ Instagram: @outlandish.vn This episode was filmed at @geistcreate