interview : Metrik

Created on 29/03/2012 by Jakx

One of the best new faces on the production circuit: Tom Mundell aka Metrik and his arsenal of exceptionally crafted and atmospheric sound is stating its place in the playlists of bass lovers worldwide. So what have we done? Sat him down for an interview!

Lock in his produce while you read this interview at his SoundCloud page (http://www.soundcloud.com/metrik)

Your sound is bold, precise and represented by the alias Metrik. While measured and well proportioned; what qualities do you feel you and your sound represent in your music?

I try and keep my musical outlook as diverse as possible. On one hand my music can be deep and musical but then on the other big, post-apocalyptic and rave orientated. So if I was to summarise I would have to say diversity!

Step straight into the name drop. Tell us what artists inspire you, what artists get you crankin’?

I mainly listen a lot to 80's synth music, film music as well as dance music across the board including house, techno, trance, early 90's rave and then pretty much everything else - really quite an eclectic mix. Electronic artists I admire include Pryda, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, Fluke, The Flashbulb, Vangelis, Depeche Mode, Jon Hopkins then inside the scene Sub Focus, Pendulum, Culture Shock, Fresh, Nero, Brookes Brothers.. also a fan legends such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac and bands such as U2, Nirvana, Incubus, Deftones or Sigur Ross to name a few.

Have you got any quirky talents that, until now, have gone unrecognized? Maybe you’re repping the madest omelette cooking skills?

Funny you mention that as I do make a mean omelette.

New Zealand has a somewhat mystical reputation to the rest of the world. What do you imagine you’d most like to do when you arrive on tour?

I imagine coming to New Zealand will be a very special experience. I'm not quite sure what to expect but I have been told it is the most beautiful country. So any opportunity I get to explore the surroundings I will take. I want to make the most of every minute.

Your production style incorporates rich atmosphere and vast spatial progression. Describe for us, as best you can, where in your mind these elements come from? (When you’re in the studio are you daydreaming of a parallel sci-fi version of earth where we propel through the clouds with our anti-grav technology?)

I have a big interest in sci-fi which inevitably feeds my production sound and I think there is definitely a degree of escapism when it comes to imagining and realising ideas. I love film scores and how they create an atmosphere - I like to do the same in my music to set a scene and take the listener on a journey - be that via melody or sound design. I like to create big epic sounds that make you feel you’re some place else.

What is the best decision or attempt at something new you've ever made in the studio?

A recent attempt at something completely new was creating Between Worlds - my first dubstep track. Was pleasantly surprised at the reaction of this given that it was my first go and has now led to creating more tracks in a similar vein in different tempos. Was very fun to open up new creative possibilities.

What has been an incredible moment that relates to your music? Can you explain to us what the sensation of that moment was like?

I remember receiving my first track on vinyl and being absolutely over the moon - me and my housemate at the time got quite drunk. Other great feelings were going out to raves and hearing my tracks being played by the big DJs for the first time - that blew my mind.

We all listen for something a little different in the sounds of dance music. What do you listen for when you’re sitting back - enjoying the beats - with the speakers crankin’?

I'm listening out for something fresh and innovative. I'm a sucker for amazing melodies so no matter what genre it is, if I hear an ethereal or unique melody I absolutely love it. I like tracks with a certain edginess or 'je ne sais quoi' that you can't quite put your finger on but just gives you the chills. Those tracks are rare but when they come along it's brilliant.

Tell us what the UK Drum & Bass scene is like to experience? NZ has a very different crew rolling with the bass heavy tunes, so try and give us a description that opens our eyes to the birthplace of DnB from your perspective.

The UK drum & bass scene is awesome and I actually feel very spoilt living in the heart of London and having access to so many good events with places like Fabric and Cable on my doorstep. Every weekend there is something happening and the capital plays host to some ground breaking events which I'm glad to have witnessed such as my pals Camo & Krooked bringing their live show to Brixton Academy for the first time. I lived in Brighton for 3 years before moving to London and I have to say I love that place too and there's something very different about going to a dnb rave down there. Clubs like Audio, Concorde 2 and Digital have a special place in my heart.

What’s something exciting that’s in the works at the moment? What can we look forward to in the near future from you?

I'm currently working on a heap of new material for my next EP project. I've been working hard to take my sound to the next level and I'm really happy with the way things are sounding at the moment. Really excited to be dropping some of these new tracks on you in New Zealand. The outputs predominantly drum & bass but also some dubstep too. On the remix side of things, I've recently completed a remix for John B which is coming out any time now on the special edition of his album. Then for BCee on his label Spearhead recordings which is coming out in September. Also keep an eye out for my remix of Kali - Queen Of Hearts forthcoming on Universal. Unsure of the release date yet but you can check out a clip on YouTube. Once this EP is done I fully intend on writing an album as the time feels right.

Your Top 5 Tune selection at the moment?

1. ShockOne - Chaos Theory
2. Cyantific - Mirador
3. Hybrid Minds - I'm Through
4. Sub Focus - Out The Blue
5. Metrik - Flightwave