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Morgan Geist
Morgan Geist is one half of Metro Area. Fans of deep and dubby disco house need know no more, but if you do, read on...Metro Area garnered underground acclaim with a series of independently released 12 inches which blurred the lines between house,electro and disco. In 2002, a compilation of their finest work was licensed worldwide by Source Records, also home to Air. It a huge success, leading to a rapturously received European tour and high profile appearances at festivals like Sonar in Barcelona and Paris' La Villete Numerique.
Geist is usually content to stay at home working on solo material and licensing material for the Metro Area 'Unclassics' series. They call it 'Unclassics' because as Geist says, 'it ain't your usual disco stuff'. Pressed up on DJ-friendly heavy black vinyl, these are obscure, synthesized disco and electro-funk dancefloor bombs.
This New Jersey native was initially inspired by England's take on the sound of Detroit, but eventually tracked techno back to its Motor City innovators. When he began listening to music, however, it was the sound of early-'80s synth heroes like Devo, Severed Heads and New Order alongside early hip-hop, jazz and 60s Hindi film soundtracks.
Geist released his first 12" (via Dan Curtin's innovative Metamorphic label) while studying at Oberlin College in 1994. He formed Environ soon after, releasing powerful statements of purpose which showed his affinity for the more emotive strains of disco, techno, soul and all flavors in between. His debut album was released in 1997 and licensed to EastWest/Warner. Geist continues to run Environ today. A highly-regarded remixer and producer both solo and as half of Metro Area, Geist has lent his touch to a wide range of artists including Hugh Masekela, Telex, Erlend Oye and The Rapture.
Morgan's not a big fan of flying, so this is a rare opportunity to see him in action on this side of the Atlantic.
www.environrecords.com
Written: 24th May, 07
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