Metronomy

Named after the musical term for the measurement of time by an instrument, Metronomy is the dance-meets-rock project of London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Joseph Mount. The live version of Metronomy also includes keyboardist/saxophonist Oscar Cash and keyboardist/bassist Gabriel Stebbing. Prior to Metronomy, Mount and Stebbing played together in bands such as the Upsides, a pop group the pair described as "the original Busted," and the Customers, with whom they played in university. Using an old computer that his father gave him, Mount started Metronomy in 1990 as a side project to the other bands he played with. When his cousin Cash joined Metronomy, it became the trio's main project. With a sound inspired by everyone from Devo and David Bowie to N.E.R.D. and Pavement, Metronomy earned buzz for their engaging live show as well as official and unofficial remixes of tracks by Gorillaz, Architecture in Helsinki, Sebastien Tellier, Kate Nash, U2, and Britney Spears. Metronomy's debut single, "You Could Easily Have Me," arrived in spring 2005 on the Holiphonic imprint; the full-length Pip Paine (Pay the £5000 You Owe) was released that summer. Metronomy switched to their own label Need Now Future for their 2007 single "Radio Ladio." The following year, their second album Nights Out arrived; it became their breakthrough album, introducing their eclectic sound to a wider audience. In 2009, Stebbing left Metronomy to focus on his other project, Your Twenties. Bassist Gbenga Adelekan and former Lightspeed Champion drummer Anna Prior joined the fold for 2011's The English Riviera, which boasted a sleeker sound than the band's previous work. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide