Scene Magazine | Metronomy

When Joseph Mount, Oscar Cash and Gabriel Stebbing got together to collectively express their ideas, little did they know that they would soon delve deep into a new genre of music; the era of electronic pop. With festival season well under the way, singer/songwriter Joseph Mount talks about what he thinks makes electro pop so popular around this time of year.

“The atmosphere is the first thing for sure. It's the end of the year and the start of another, so celebration is everywhere. But I think it's got a lot to do with how the artists connect and collaborate. I think a good show comes down to the bands having a similar taste in musical style.”

With this in mind, it isn't hard to imagine seeing Metronomy play live alongside already established electronic pop group The Klaxons, that is one ticket worth well worth your moola.

“When we played in the UK we played loads of shows with the Klaxons and became quite friendly with them. We're part of what they are. They've very contemporary and have the same attitude towards music as we do. As long as you're doing it for the right reasons and as long as you enjoy it then you're going to end up doing it forever, no matter where you end up.”

After pumping out a glamorous first album, the talented UK clan have wasted no time in gracing our presence once again with a second electronica-inspired album, ‘Nights Out’.

“I'm not a particularly intellectual person or anything like that. But when I have a strong feeling or a great idea, I pick up on it and the rest just comes naturally. That's what happened with our second album, ‘Nights Out’. The inspiration behind it was a combination of living in London, friends and girls, of course!”

It's all well and good for someone to pick up a Metronomy album, have a listen and think 'wow, this is really good'. But alas, if only the blood, sweat and tears behind the making of it were visible, the whole world would be able to see how much time and effort the gang from Metronomy put into their music.

“I write and record most of the music on my own and have done it this way for years and years. I really enjoy the drawn out process that comes from making music because it's a whole new learning experience every time. It's extremely hard work composing the songs on your own.”While already accomplished remixers themselves, Metronomy are still fascinated and highly inspired by other forms and genres of music.

“There's so many different artists that inspire us. People like The Beatles inspire you to get into music in the first place. But people like Kraftwerk and Bjork are more interesting electronic-sounding artists to me.”

After a very eventful year filled with sleepless nights and 'tour life', Joseph let us in on their 2008 highlight. “We played our biggest London show, that was completely sold out, which might I add, felt absolutely amazing. Just having the record out as well and have people respond to it as well as they have over here was the best thing we could have asked for this year.”

Leaving behind the looming aroma of success in the air, here's a sneak peak of what to expect from Metronomy in the New Year.

“We're excited to be heading out to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and America and we're really looking forward to getting as much out of each experience as we can and not just let it fly by.”
Steph Rea

Metronomy play Empire on January 16 with support from The Deathset. ‘Night’s Out’ is available now.