 02/01/2008 Splice a dog with a cat and chances are you’ll emerge with a creature that runs in circles; sleeps, wakes-up and runs in circles. Simple logic. Metronomy have built a reputation for themselves on simple logic. Very simple logic. Produce the kind of music that you love, hold precious, dear and have a passion for and chances are that others will feel the same. The self-professed “electro-garage” outfit, led by Joseph Mount, have had their talents recognised by the new Sony Walkman Project, collaborating on a short film where Joseph describes the process behind his music. The Walkman Project is a website allowing those with a Metronomy-like-passion for producing and mixing music to do just that; share it with people worldwide and even mash-up some of their tunes. If the excitement of the Walkman Project wasn’t enough, Metronomy also have new album ‘Nights Out’ due for release in March. Taking a breather from his heavy schedule, Joseph caught-up with Planet Notion to discuss Chas and Dave, the musical tastes of old Devonshire folk, and Dystopian Sci-Fi films.
Metronomy have gained a reputation for their remixes… why do you think it’s important to bridge a gap between electro and other forms of music?
I never thought it was necessary to bridge that gap. If it seems like I try to bridge it then that's a by product of what I do. I've only ever made the music that I feel excited about making. I've been influenced by all kinds of music throughout my life. I don't just listen to electro and I don't just listen to guitar bands; I guess I'd be misrepresenting myself if I just made standard electro or pigeon holed myself into any particular genre.
The Walkman Project offers people the opportunity to blend different songs and musical components together… and you use MySpace to release exclusive material as well. How important is the internet becoming to the future of music?
I think the internet is already incredibly important. People don't find out about music in the same way as they used to, nor do they listen to it in the same way. Although I've given away exclusive tracks through MySpace I still think it’s very important to own music and albums as physical objects... I think it would be a very sad thing if Vinyl and CDs disappeared for the sake of people freeing up a bit of living room space.
But on the strength of the internet in the current music scene, do you think CD and vinyl will ever die a death? Or are they still an important commodity?
I really think young people might be missing out if they don't own CDs and Vinyl, because I remember how important records I loved felt and looked. I'd listen to ‘Road to Ruin’ by The Ramones, look at the cartoon on the front, and constantly read the tiny amount of writing on the back. I still have that record now and it means so much more to me than any mp3 ever could. Although you can't see it, music is a physical thing; it moves through the air, vibrates your eardrums and effects the way you move. Things like Vinyl, CDs and album artwork can add a tactile quality to music which mp3's can never offer.
Would you say that all forms of music have the credentials for remixing? For example, would you ever consider mashing some classic blues, say, John Lee Hooker, with a modern twist… or maybe remixing some Chas and Dave?
I'm not sure there's much someone like me can bring or add to a John Lee Hooker song. You just need to look at that Moby record to realise what a waste of time it might be. One mans modern twist is another mans bland, home makeover program, mosaic. Chas and Dave might be good for a laugh though.
Tell us about your film work for the Sony Walkman Project website… what’s it all in aid of, for those that don’t know, and what’s your role within the project?
 In the film I wanted to show a little bit about how I write my songs and how I do it in quite an unconventional way. I'd like to think I might inspire people to give stuff a try themselves. The one amazing thing that technology and the internet can offer at the moment is a platform for young musicians to be heard, however experienced or inexperienced they might be.
What were the influences behind first LP ‘Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe)’, and did the alternative crowd and hippy-chic residents of Devon’s Totnes have a major influence on the album?
There are all kinds of influences behind that album. I was listening to all kinds of music at the time. Frank Zappa, Aphex Twin, LFO, Talking Heads, Les Rhythms Digitales and Kraftwerk are just some of them. But, Totnes did have a big effect on the record...maybe not in a positive way though. Totnes has a non-existent music scene; kids listen to drum and bass and middle aged folk listen to whale song. When I started writing music I was reacting against that as much as anything.
You incorporate a vast array of instruments into your music. The saxophone being a prime example… Explain why and how the inclusion of different sounds from percussion, brass and keyboard improves Metronomy?
I suppose it's a matter of opinion as to whether it improves the music or not. But it's just the way I do things really; in my opinion it adds texture to the sound and gives it more depth.
Do you feel the band have progressed and improved since the arrival of Gabriel and Oscar as permanent members, and if so, how has their inclusion helped to shape Metronomy into a finer specimen?
Gabriel and Oscar are an irreplaceable pair. Although I’m still writing the music alone I now feel more like I’m writing for a live band, and feel that Metronomy has become a band now instead of just me. Thanks to the boys Metronomy is now and are now a good, well traveled live band.
When you consider the number of songs that have been remixed by Metronomy, from acts as vast as Britney Spears and U2, why is it that you’re rumoured to dislike having your own material messed with, and is there any truth to this claim?
That sounds like internet talk to me. I will be having songs remixed on the forthcoming singles. Basically, I only like remixers that really care about what they're doing. I can honestly say that I have got really involved in all of my remixes. If I’ve not got anywhere with one I will tell whoever it is that I’m giving up. That doesn't happen that often.
Having such a vast sound in your music, how would you describe it? Would you say that it’s electro-pop, for example?
I think the favourite description I’ve heard is Garage Electro, by that I mean garage rock and electro. I think there's a DIY element to the music that's more in line with punk than most sheeny electro. However, I wouldn't deny that I think I’m writing pop songs. I'm just making the music that I’d like to hear, so it sounds like all kinds of things because I listen to all kinds of things.
Your performance at the Reading festival received glowing press reviews, and was described as one of the highlights of the dance stage. Do you think it made many people more aware of your scope as musicians, and how was it to perform at one of the UK’s most popular festivals?
Reading was an amazing day, it felt like such a big deal to play at. Me and the boys have all been there to watch bands before and to actually perform there was a dream come true. I'm happy that we were considered a highlight, especially as our live show seems to polarise people so often. I'm not sure if the live show really shows off our scope as musicians. I taught myself how to play keyboard and guitar and am not that advanced at either instrument. The things I write for Oscar and Gabriel don't show off their talents to the highest. For that you should see Oscar perform ‘Golden Skans’ on his Yamaha and Gabriel play some Level 42 with his massive thumb.
What can we expect from the follow-up LP, due out in 2008? 
The album will be called Nights Out. It's due out in March and will be a much more concise record than the first. I've also started singing on a few tracks. Dystopian Sci-Fi films have been quite a big influence on the music, as have the many club nights we've played.
Metronomy are currently promoting walkmanproject.com – a new interactive site which lets you collaborate with musical talent from across the world, by mixing up different musical components to create your very own multi-instrumental track, which you can then download for free.
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