Although only 17, Metrist has already built up a solid profile within a number of underground music circles. He has released music under a different alias, and, as Metrist, has picked up support from Dark Sky, Happa, South London Ordnance, Mary Anne Hobbes, MPIA3, Troy Gunner and Rumah amongst many others.
His style is big-room techno. On top of the heavy 4×4 kicks, acid-influenced synths and rugged beat patterns is a definite, and subtle musicality; something often missing in the work new producers. Get Some tip big things for this guy, starting with a forthcoming release on the very promising Nineteen89 label, which you can stream below.
Check out our interview with Joe, and download ‘Influx’ at the bottom.
- For those that haven’t come across you or your music yet, can you briefly introduce yourself?
I’m a 17 year old producer from Cambridge, I try to make music that suits a club environment, a riff or a groove, something that makes you move. – that rhymes if you say it out loud.
- What’s the music scene like in Cambridge?
Well Cambridge is pretty dead, but huge on Drum and Bass, theres a massive scene for it here and some big name producers like Nu:tone, Logistics, Commix are from here, only recently have some guys been putting on nights that are more house/techno/funky which is cool to see a bit more variation.
- Presumably you would describe what you are making as techno? Have you always made this kind of music, and how long have you been doing it for?
Would like to say yeah ive been making 4 to the floor stuff since the start but nah, I found myself just moving into the style out of the fact that i loved the sounds and vibes some producers were making- it suited me more than anything. I used to make music near 140 and of course Drum and Bass type stuff when i was 15, it never really took off as much as i would have liked so i kept keeping myself open to new stuff. I try to make my sound a bit more Lo-fi and warm rather than fully digital and a little bit lifeless – its just preference I guess.
- Which artists have had the most influence on you as a producer?
Truthfully ive got to say Blawan is a big influence on how I make music, it seems like he can do no wrong at the moment along with AnD and MPIA3. Similarly I find that guys that have been round for a long time like Regis have a big effect on me, its very minimal and all to do with the groove and the way everything fits in which im finding more and more important. Other than techno I listen to anything with a hook really to inspire me a bit, regardless of bpm or anything like that I think.
- Which artists and labels are you really digging right now? And, one to watch?
Nineteen89 are definitely a label to tip, I’ve seen what they’ve got to come out and its looking bright from that camp. Also, Avian, Shifted‘s label. They’re consistently putting out good vinyl releases – I’ve started buying more and more vinyl recently but, i’m not a vinyl elitist!
Happa‘s one to watch, regardless of how young he is hes a good producer and a nice dude, big ups go to him. Also one to watch is my friend Alex, stupidly underrated and produces under the alias Bo-Ash-Oak, watch out for music coming from both of us soon…
- Three tracks you might play to a peak-time dancefloor?
MPIA3 – WTTP
Untold – Luminous
Mark Archer – Frequency (Luke Vibert Remix)
- What can we expect to see from you for the rest of this year?
More releases and more music i guess aha, playing out a bit more as well.
- A quick word on ‘Influx,’ the track you’ve kindly given us. Is it pretty typical of your music in general do you think?
yeah its a weird one. made it a while ago and I think i was going for something maybe a bit more headphoney rather than a straight out and out tune to be played on a system, i havent always made music just to be played in clubs.
- Finally, please complete the following sentence: Get Some…
303