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John Metcalfe
SCORCHING BAY epitomes music currently dissolving boundaries between electronic and modern classical music. With influences from drum 'n' bass to Schoenberg, Bach to Kraftwerk, Ligeti to Brian Eno and from film composers such as Thomas Newman, Metcalfe's sound world is seductive, beautiful and hugely powerful. Pieces range in scope from lush cinematic ambience to searing headlong moto perpetuos for drums, electronics and strings.Scorching Bay Live brings together some of the finest musicians in their field. Drummer Andy Gangadeen has awed crowds around the world with astonishing technique and musicianship touring and recording for the likes of Massive Attack and his own band The Bays. Louisa Fuller on violin leads the internationally renowned Duke Quartet who have recorded and toured worldwide to huge acclaim. Metcalfe, also a member of the Duke Quartet, has composed for choreographers, TV, radio and arranged strings for some of the biggest pop acts in history including Blur, The Cranberries, The Pretenders, The Corrs and George Michael.
JOHN METCALFE
From his early days in New Zealand listening to his father sing opera, John Metcalfe has become one the most exciting and versatile musicians working in the UK today. From giving string quartet recitals in prestigious venues world-wide to composing for radio and TV, penning strings for no.1 UK pop hits and releasing his own genre-defying music, Metcalfe has gained wide recognition for his unique brand of music-making.
Moving to England he took up the viola aged 10 and joined his first band at school playing drums. Raised on a dual-mono diet of Kraftwerk and Joy Division this band influenced his move north-west where he joined cult band Durutti Column on Manchester's legendary Factory label. He stayed for three years adding his own unique sound and flavour to the enigmatic style of guitarist Vini Reilly.
Hard classical study continued along with hard dancing at the now defunct Hacienda and scholarships took him to London and Berlin to finish his training. His distaste for classical recording industry practices led him to persuade Factory boss Tony Wilson to launch the ground-breaking Factory Classical label aimed at bringing young British talent and music to a truly new audience. Metcalfe's talents at A+R led to debuts for now major artists such as Rolf Hind, Steve Martland and his own Duke Quartet. In the meantime Metcalfe's strength as a string composer for bands came to the fore. Since his work on Morrissey's no.1 solo album Viva Hate, he has become one of the UK's top arrangers working for artists such as Simple Minds, The Corrs, Blur and Catatonia. He provided all the strings for the Concert for Linda at the Albert Hall, working with George Michael, Johnny Marr and Tom Jones. After hearing his arrangement of Angel in The Morning for the Friends soundtrack, the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde asked John to arrange some of her most famous songs for the Isle of View album which featured John's string quartet, the Duke.
His debut cd The Inner Line received glowing reviews. Regularly played on BBC Radio 3's hugely influential cult show Late Junction, George from the cd was also included on their first compilation cd. Tracks have also been used for BBC radio and TV programmes whilst also making their way onto shows from Alick Sethi to Russ Allen and Morpheus.
Recently Metcalfe has completed work on a piece for choreographer Jean Abreu and a solo guitar piece for Tom Kurtsens.From his early days in New Zealand listening to his father sing opera John Metcalfe has become one the most exciting and versatile musicians working in the UK today. From giving string quartet recitals in prestigious venues world-wide to composing for radio and TV, penning strings for no.1 UK pop hits and releasing his own genre-defying music Metcalfe has gained wide recognition for his unique brand of music-making.
John Metcalfe at iTunes
Written: 15th Jun, 07
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