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John Metcalfe - A Darker Sunset
The bubbly was flowing on the terrace of the Big Chill House last week when the world-renowned composer, arranger and recording artist John Metcalfe signed the paperwork to license his brilliant new album 'A Darker Sunset' to Big Chill Recordings, for release in June 2008.John Metcalfe grew up in New Zealand and came to the UK at the age of 10, which is also when he started playing the viola. Raised on a dual-mono diet of Kraftwerk and Joy Division this band influenced his move north-west where he joined cult band The Durutti Column, who were signed to Factory Records. He later convinced Tony Wilson to set up Factory Classical, signing himself as part of The Duke Quartet, and A&R'ing Steve Martland and Rolf Hind.
Metcalfe is one of the UK's top string arrangers. Previous work includes Morrisey's #1 solo album 'Viva Hate' and work with Simple Minds, The Corrs, Blur and Catatonia. His debut CD 'The Inner Line' was described by Billboard as the ideal item for classical fans wanting to investigate a pop leaning, contemporary sound world or for electronica fans who crave far more musicality than they're used to getting.
For Big Chill Recordings the new 70/30 profit split deal (in the artists favour) represents a new beginning for the label.
'We had to devise a new business model,' says Big Chill label and festival Director Chris Greenwood. 'The industry needs to think creatively in these challenging times. We wanted to devise a scenario where we were a step up from artists starting their own label without all the hassle that entails, but with the support and experience in label management and promotion that we have built up over the years, with the added bonus of the excellent digital and physical distribution we offer through our global deal with Pias.'
Following on from the labels success with 'Mr Scruff's Big Chill Classics' and Tom Middleton's 'Lifetracks' the label is well poised to promote John Metcalfe.
"It's great to be attracting a contemporary composer of John Metcalfe's stature to Big Chill Recordings " adds Chris.
John Metcalfe accompanied by Andy Gangadene and Simon Richmond of The Bays, Ali Friend of (Red Snapper and Clayhill), with Louisa Fuller (leader of The Duke Quartet on violin) performed at The Big Chill House in April, and will perform on the Castle stage at The Big Chill 2008.
John also hopes to reprise 'The Bays Heritage Orchestra Improvisation' alongside composer Simon Hale, a performance that was premiered at Fresh Fest in Liverpool in January 2008 (see video below).
john-metcalfe.co.uk
from left to right: Big Chill Director, Chris Greenwood, Big Chill Programming Director, Guy Morley, John Metcalfe signing, BCR label manager Eugenie Arrowsmith
(picture credit Tom Sweet)
Written: 10th Apr, 08
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