Metronomy - written for Crack Magazine

Metronomy rose to fame in the midst of the electro-indie band explosion that was great (The Presets, Hot Chip,) and not so great (The Teenagers). Yet Metronomy have managed to flawlessly remain separate to that whole scene.

This could be due to the fact they have been meticulously formulated and intelligently put together over a number of years. They started out as a one-man band, with guitarist and vocalist Joseph Mount, but over the years the band has been transformed musically and quadrupled in size.

After receiving critical acclaim for their second album Nights Out and after an extensive tour of late, Metronomy are back on our radar after putting together their third album - The English Riviera. Currently operating as a four piece after the departure of keyboard player and bassist Gabriel Stebbing, Metronomy is now comprised of Joseph Mount, Oscar Cash and new members Anna Prior on drums and Gbenga Adelekan on bass guitar. This new emancipation of to be the formation the band will stick with for the foreseeable.

Unlike some of their contemporaries, they don’t take themselves too seriously. On stage the band often sport light up T-shirts that make them look like they’re paying homage to ET or Iron Man. The lights flicker and pulse in time with the band’s music. Highly tongue in cheek and highly entertaining to watch.

Even with the new additions Joseph still maintains creative control over their unique sound; electronic hooks with a catchy poppy vocal and instantly recognisable funk bass - not dissimilar to CSS or Late of The Pier. According to Mount, the last album, Nights Out, was a "half-arsed concept album about going out and having a crap time!” The single Heartbreaker was incredibly popular and a testament to this mindset in that it twinned an upbeat addictive dance melody, with a rather gloomy dulcet vocal. This is something we’ve come to expect and love from Metronomy.

Thematically, Nights Out was an album that questioned the impertinence of contemporary youth culture, albeit without any sense of resentment. Bassist Adelekan however, has described the English Riviera as “Daft Punk meets The Eagles”; an interesting combination if ever there was one.

When we catch up with Metronomy they are in the middle of     filming for a TV interview in Paris, where their record label, Because Music, is based, and where they also have a big fan base. Mount takes the time to have a chat with Crack about touring, Devon and David Guetta.

What have Metronomy been up to recently?

 “Touring mainly, with gaps in between, but basically touring for 18 months or something like that. We started touring and then Gabriel left and Gbenga Adelekan joined. We then continued touring for another year before we had a break and got on with the next record. Obviously we were doing loads of festivals as well so working really hard!”

What has changed now Gabriel has left?  How is the new four-piece set-up working for Metronomy?

“When we first started going out there was a real sense of refreshing change, much closer to what I’d always imagined in a way. More enjoyable really.”

So there is no animosity between Gabriel and yourself as you’re still recording with Gabriel’s side project ‘Your Twenties’?

“I have been yeah, we’re still in touch, but now the new album is getting ready to go and we’re out touring again I’ve got much less time to do that at the moment. I’m are always trying to help out though.”

You’re originally from Totnes witch isn’t really known for having a massive electronic scene, how do you feel about Devon as a hotbed for new music?

The only stuff im aware of is people I knew from school, obviously Gabriel and his brother, then there’s Robin Christian; the drummer from Male Bonding, also James Hoare from Veronica Falls we were all friends at school, we kind of grew up together. I suppose there is a small bunch of people, but it doesn’t feel like there’s anything you could call a ‘scene’

Your energy on stage and in your videos is iconic? How heavily involved in this process are you as a band?

“It’s always nice to try and get as involved as possible really. But I suppose you’ll always get a bit of a too and fro with the label about what they need and what you want and that’s the same with the artwork as it can be with the music. I think it’s integral to the music and about how you are perceived by the public. I try and keep a reign on it as much as possible.”

Is it important for a band to have a specific image?

“Yeah I think it does. It usually happens anyway, as in if you’re into the same music you’re often into the same fashion and it ends up being quite a natural thing. I reckon it can be more common with electronic music as there’s a sense of heritage and bands do try and have a certain look or aesthetic.”

Your last album Nights Out was incredibly popular both in the UK and overseas. What’s inspired the new album The English Riviera?

Devon I guess. It’s loosely inspired by the south and the coast. I like imagining that Devon is this really exciting part of England and some really cosmopolitan fiery coastline…which it can be. Hence the name The English Riviera

How have your live shows changed since the last album?

The new record is much more about being musicians and actually playing stuff. I suppose in a sense it’s a more of grown up affair, so we’re trying to make ourselves a little bit more dignified. Although, at the same time it’s not like we’re suddenly pretending we’re someone that we’re not. We’re keeping all the good stuff from the last shows though, I’m definitely coming ‘round to the idea of playing as a four piece as well.

You’re almost as famous for Metronomy as you are for your remixes. Any plans for future mixes?

Yeah with the new stuff we’ve been a bit pickier about who we get to do them. I want to get people like David Guetta. I think that would be hilarious but expensive. I’ve done a lot of remixed im much more into the idea of producing and working with people rather than them sending me something and just changing it. But nothing at the moment!

So what does the future hold for Metronomy?

Music reviewers and promotions, then another UK tour in April and May will be a month in Europe. The diarys getting more and more full, its exciting! The new album The English Riviera is out in April this year and the first single She Wants is available to download at the end January.

Expect to see them and their light-up ET jumpers gracing a stage at any good festival near you this summer. Not one to miss.