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  Metabeats Interview
interview 0539 added 12.10.07 words:
2-Hip
technical:
Spoon
You may not recognise yet, but take it from me, Metabeats is the best thing to come out of Wales Barry John or Bara Brith. He’s a beat maker from Barry, South Wales, who was the uncanny knack of making a banger anytime he so much as walks near a production module. So if you don’t know, it’s time to get to know.
First off, could you quickly introduce yourself to the UKHH peoples?
It’s Metabeats aka Chesus or just Che. I’m good with that.
Do you feel that launching straight into an album is a potential baptism of fire, or are you happy to be releasing an album as a first off?
Definitely happy on the fact that I can show a range of stuff in one sitting and really, I haven't jumped into anything here. I’ve been working at this for time. Ever since I was young I could recognise quality music when I heard it. So I just waited until I was able to do the same and get the right support it deserved. And I feel like I’m ready now. I've never felt that before. I've got much more I wanna show. This is just a taster, so people shouldn't put me in a box off of this one release. Putting out this album at this stage was always (what) aimed to do and I’m happy with the end product, but I know I could bring something different next time. I love too many different styles of music to just wanna make one.
You seem to have been getting a lot of love from the radio around the place as well? Tell us about that?
Yeah, Beth and Huw on Radio One have been supportive, they even slapped it on their MySpace player as pick of the month for August and Huw Stephens has been playing it for few weeks on his national solo show on Radio One. I think a few stations over the bridge in Yankland and some people on this side like DJ Cro, HHB Radio, Itch FM and a few others have been supporting the goodness to. It’s movin' anyways.
In a featured artist sense, your album could be described as ‘local’, with a whole host of Welsh talent on show. Was this intentional?
I was impressed by how every one came though on the album. If I never felt the Beleaf track (who lives in Miami) so much it woulda been all homegrown talent. This is gonna show that there are a lot more savage emcees than you think. No jokes. People are quick to judge on where people live and their status. That’s how Hip-Hop has become. It’s very materialistic nowadays but people are gonna eat too much of that and get sick. It’s just a matter of time really.
You have ten tracks for your next album who features in a Metaworld?
Quiet Poison for a start. Why they ain’t heard enough yet I don’t know. If you don’t know that’s Cervantis aka C Minus, Kusha, Skamma and new recruit Joe Dirt. Plus the A.M. all-stars (Ralph Rip, Ruffstylz, Mudmowth, P.L.O. & Willo Wispa), I think you already know them. Joe Blow, and Junior Dis on some "think about it" shit. I’d put a couple of bars on there as well.
Many people may not know that you also emcee on the album under the name Pergyl, you trying to keep a low profile?
It just sections me from the beats. I don’t really class myself an emcee anyway. If I do it, it’s only because I feel the urge to. Like I wanna get something out of me. I would love to do a spittin’ album, same as loads of emcees wanna make beats, but right now there are other people who would make much better use of my music and I’m looking to see my music reach its highest potential. I would never spit on tracks just so no one else can bless it. That’s some gay shit.
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I would never spit on tracks just so no one else can bless it. That’s some gay shit
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Any ideas of your post-album release plans?
Just keep making real music and pushing forward the talent down here, plus I'm branching over the bridge a bit now to some savages who you'll hear in the future. I’ve also got some new Ralph Rip Shit stuff, I've made some beats for Ruffstylz and got some tracks on the new Willo Wispa LP coming soon. Plus a Skamma record if he pulls his finger out. Ha.
Barry may not be known to many people, do you feel the small town mentality has helped you develop your own style independent of others, or hold back your opportunities as a recording artist?
Bit of both really. But it does go on population size, as there would be a lot more people like us if our town was as big as London, because of the way we approach things. It’s a blessing in many ways though. I don’t try to be different. I just do what I feel at the time. Plus I listen to too many different styles of music everyday. I’ve been deejaying for the past ten years. I bought my first record when I was 10, that was “Fire” by Demolition Man. It was an old Jungle anthem. My brother used to have decks then so I guess I could say I've been playin for 14 years.
So other than yourself, who’s worth checking from Barry Town?
Quiet Poison, Squid Ninjaz. Like I said these guys neeeeed to be witnessed. With an over saturated industry this is what the people need to push forward this scene. Diverse Concepts. He got beats. The kids are catching on now too. I got a few whippersnappers coming up asking me when my albums out which was surprising. All good though as they're the future.
So lets talk about your production, after all it’s the focus of the album. Talk us through your ‘normal’ beat making process.
Post wrapping one up, I get some drum sounds together. I go through records for percussion. I’m a drum fiend, so 90% of the time I gotta get them together first. Usually I know what sort of sample or melodies I wanna use from how the drums are rolling and its pattern. I’m not really one for using breaks unless it’s touchin the right spots or just hugs the drums like when you almost convince yourself they were already on the sample. I like my shit to be loose and un-quantized, so you get that swing to it. I find that sounds more authentic and how I like stuff to sound, just free and not so stiff. Loosen up people.
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(Hiphop’s) very materialistic nowadays but people are gonna eat too much of that and get sick
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You’ve got a kinda dirty thump to a lot of what you do. How would you describe your style to those who’ve yet to hear it and let them know who and what are your productional inspirations?
I like my sound to be thick and quite muddy I guess. That comes from using records so much and loving that sound, that warm distortion. Dilla was my biggest inspiration and I ain't ashamed to admit how much affect he’s had on my style, but like I said don’t box me in off this style alone.I’m inspired whenever I hear good music, no matter what it is. I get inspired by house music a lot too. Not that stupid shit you hear on the box though, but that glitchy dirtyness. As soon as people envision house they picture “Encore En Fois”, or some stupid shit, when this stuff I’m on gets about they won’t.
What about the set up? For the beat-freaks, care to share?
‘Course. My main tool in the shed is my Yamaha RS-7000. It’s like an all in one production station. Everything revolves around that really. I got the Micro Korg That’s a mini monster. I love that thing. Turntables, Kaos pad, mixer and shit loads of records… I’m good with that.
I know you work in a specialist trainer shop, what’s Metabeats favourite kicks to rock?
Vans. Yeah that’s right, Vans. I even dye to customize colours and shit. Keep it fresh. I see everyone’s on Bapes diznick. Why now? When it was good 5 years ago people used to look at me strange with the patent bright colourways and all over print hoodies. Now I see them wearing ‘em? I’m lookin forward to seeing the new Puma X MTV Raps range. I’ll be grabbin’ a couple of them no doubt. We got some of the clothing range but it’s all about the sneaks innit. Shoes by Dr.Dre, Ed Lover, Big Daddy Kane, Mc Shan, Doug E Fresh. It’s gonna be special.
Who is your favourite producer other than yourself operating right now. Just pick the one.
C'mon that’s like giving me a bowl of rice and saying pick a grain. I don’t know if you heard of him but Flying Lotus. He’s stupid. Also as much as he’s in the limelight and gets enough props, I gotta give Kanye props also, and Sa-Ra. I’ll leave it there before I get carried away.
Any final words or shouts?
Big up yourselves.
Now you’ve heard the words from the man himself, it’s now essential you go and check the remarkable “Metaphysical” LP which is out now and already snapping necks up and down the country.
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2-Hip
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