20 Jahre Metonic Records
Joy Frempong & Meta Marie Louise, Napoleon Maddox, Ana Igluka
ExperimentalJazz Modern CreativeExperimental JazzGroove JazzModern Creative Jazz
20 years of Metonic Records: The story behind it
Twenty years is a long time in the music business. Only a select few manage to remain relevant for that long. A small label from Biel has achieved this feat. Its success is rooted in a long history — and, above all, a name.
The only option: do it yourself
But it wasn't that easy. Although he often played concerts, he didn't really get anywhere. In an interview with Jazz'n'More magazine, he speculated that it was because he had nothing to sell. Engel was referring to two things: first, he had not yet arrived artistically, and second, he had no recordings to show for it. So, influenced by Autechre, Squarepusher, minimal music, and Steve Reich, he started doing his own thing. He tried his luck with a homemade album, but only received rejections. Sometimes they said it was too experimental; other times, it was too "minimal." If a label was interested, Engel would have had to advance the production costs himself. At the time, this was impossible for Engel. "A good gig paid me $50 a night. Even with two or three gigs a week, I didn't make much."So, Engel made a decision: he would produce his own work. He bought books to learn how to set up a label. He says, "I realized that I could do a lot of things myself." For other things, such as shipping and digital operations, he sought support. This is how Metonic Records came into being in the cultural melting pot of New York in 2005. Engel's debut album, Solipsist, was released on this label. The track "Rename" won the Billboard World Song Contest in the Jazz Top 3 category that same year.Always something new
Since then, the label has released numerous acclaimed albums. This is also thanks to Manuel Engel. No matter how he expresses himself — electronically, with field recordings, as a jazz musician, or in hip-hop — improvisation is always important. His ability and desire to improvise has helped him progress as a label operator. "The label was not only a platform for my ideas, but it also forced me to create something new time and time again."Since 2009, Engel and his label have been based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Leaving the musical epicenter of New York for tranquil Switzerland was not the end for Engel, but a new beginning. He doesn't see risks in the new but opportunities. "Here, for example, the label was able to establish itself differently financially with the help of the diverse foundation and patronage landscape. This was not possible in the USA."The birthday party in several acts
Twenty years have passed, and Metonic Records is as lively as ever. We are celebrating two decades of musical experimentation in style, including at Moods. We will therefore take a look back at the label's history with various performances in three acts.The birthday at Moods
20 Jahre Metonic Records
Annie Aries, Lionel Friedli & Henry Strongbox, Doug Weiss, Romarna Campbell, Estefania Padilla
JazzJazz Modern CreativeExperimental JazzGroove Jazz
20 Jahre Metonic Records
Puts Marie
Experimental
20 Jahre Metonic Records
Live Painting – Hervé Thiot
Experimental
Under this name, Engel experiments with self-made sound objects and "prepared piano" - a piano that is altered in sound using screws, magnets and paper. Accompanying him is his mentor, Doug Weiss, who is a source of inspiration for a generation of young double bassists exploring modern jazz. At the beginning of 2024, Engel and Weiss decided to form a trio. Now, they have formed a quartet with two young, talented, and dynamic drummers: Romarna Campbell from Birmingham, UK, and Estefania Chamorro from Barcelona, Spain. They are attracting attention on the European music scene.Puts Marie rounds off the birthday in the third act. Engel met the band's singer, Max Usata, shortly after returning to Switzerland, and they developed an intimate friendship. Engel describes Puts Marie as one of his favorite bands, a band in which the most intense feelings meet pure freedom.
However, it will be a treat for both the ears and the eyes. For this, Engel has brought on board the artist Hervé Thiot. Engel first experienced Thiot, also known as Airbios, as a visual artist with Asphalt Piloten, an international artist collective. Engel was impressed by Thiot's artistic expression and multidisciplinary skills. After years of exchanging ideas about art forms and modes of expression, the two began a musical collaboration that continues to this day and is celebrated by both of them, including on their 20th anniversary at Moods.