[Copenhagen, Denmark. July 17th, 2010] -- Mikkel Meldgaard (aka Mikkel Metal) has been a featured favorite on legendary Danish dub-label
Echocord ever since he and its owner (DJ Kenneth Christiansen) connected with one another; Metal has put out about 1/4 of its 50 or so releases
and brought the label into international prestige. If you like your beats thick, atmospheric, and resonant with melancholy, than Metal's entire
discogs catalog is for you. Originally a philosophy graduate dabbling in psychedelic guitar instrumentals and shoegaze (and then later indie rock),
Metal has since been one of the world's premier dub techno savants - nothing speaks the majesty of Scandinavian electronic soundscape design like this
incredible talent. We took the time to catch up with him in the following light-hearted interview, his profound MLAT exclusive podcast - consisting
entirely of his own original productions - communicates an enormous range of emotion and talent.
Mikkel, what have you been up to lately?
Besides working on a lot of new material, I've "rediscovered" mixing and had some fun mixing at home.
And generally I've just been enjoying the summer.
Tell us about the uniqueness of your music. What is it about Scandinavian countries that causes there
to be so much phenomenal esoteric dub? There is a very special sound to places like Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. You being from
Denmark, could you tell me about the envirornment you grew up around, and what in particular influences you in your music?
This is a classic question I've heard many people pose. And I'm not the most qualified person to
answer it in the way of any large scale explanation (if such exists). But I believe my sound has very much to do with my personality.
I grew up like a classic suburban middle class boy (in Denmark not Norway). I was the second child of three; the intelligent quiet boy
who loved his own company. Interesting enough, there's practically no musicians in my family. I picked this up for myself.
Many of the great dub techno artists have been a fan of incorporating Paul St. Claire into their productions.
How did you hook up with Paul, and what do you most enjoy about working with him?
The collaboration was partly accidential. Since I had been doing dubtechno for quite some years I've
obviously thought about adding vocals. I didn't actual know who I should ask (Paul St. Hilaire seemed like maybe too obvious a choice).
However, I discussed this with Kenneth (who runs Echocord) and he said "Paul St. Hilaire is a good friend of mine, why not ask him?".
So basically this is the way it came about.
I especially like when Paul does some slightly melancholic melodies. Besides his "dub-mc enmeshed in reverb and delay" he actually has a
beautiful voice. Of course I also have to mention his ability to improvise
Before you got into electronic music you were heavily influenced by British shoegazeand noise-rock, and played
a great deal of guitar in several bands. Throughout this podcast you can clearly hear some of those influences. Do you ever endeavor
to make purely (and specifically) guitar based soundscape shoegaze, etc? Do you think there will be any other music projects for you
besides "Mikkel Metal?"
Sure - I think about doing other projects from time to time. Currently I have no plans of doing purely
guitar music projects, but the future should remain open. Luckily I think I'm able to span a great deal of music under my "Mikkel Metal"
moniker, from quite ambient stuff, cologne techno and of course classic dubtechno. Also I've done some concerts including a silent movie
conert, with a bassplayer under the name "duotoni". So I don't feel too confined in my current working mode.
Do you have any long term goals with your music? Film scoring, soundscape design, or just keeping it real with
what you have been doing?
Actually I've recently done music for a film about Parkour and movement in the city called "My playground"
by danish filmmaker Kaspar Astrup (a preview can be found
here).Besides I'm working on some music for
a short animation movie. I find these kind of projects interesting and it's nice to spread out my activities a little. I've no intention of
neccessarily keep doing the same music in the same setting
Who have been (and perhaps still are) some of your most important musical influences?
I've had differetn influences at different times. Way back when I did guitar music bands like My Bloody
Valentine and Pavement were among my biggest heroes. At the time I started releasing electronic music about 10 years ago I was very inspired
by SND, Pole, Rhythm and Sound and Wolfgang Voigt. And the later years I've been quite inspired by people like Omar S and Levon Vincent.
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1. Mikkel Metal - Raimon (Beatless Version) [Unreleased]
2. Mikkel Metal - Tjin [Echocord]
3. Mikkel Metal - Further (Jeman Vocal Mix) [Echocord]
4. Mikkel Metal - Tromso [Unreleased]
5. Quadron - Pressure (Mikkel Metal Remix) [Plug Research]
6. Mikkel Metal - Extract Again [Jato Unit]
7. Mikkel Metal - Kenton (Live Edit) [Echocord]
8. Mikkel Metal - Rive [Unreleased]
9. Mikkel Metal - Cloh [Unreleased]
10. Mikkel Metal - Vastion [Kompakt]
11. Mikkel Metal - I Dream [Echocord]
12. Mikkel Metal - Align [Kompakt]
13. Mikkel Metal - Go get [Unreleased]
14. Mikkel Metal - Visions of life (Special Extended Mix) [Echocord]
15. Mikkel Metal - Boosm - [Unreleased]
16. Mikkel Metal - Newsom (Alternative Version) [Echocord]
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