Metropolis Music

Metropolis Music
Name	Metropolis Music
Origin	New York City, United States
Genres	Rock music, Jazz, Electronic music, Pop music
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Sony Music Entertainment, Island Records, Atlantic Records
Associated acts	The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, David Bowie, Prince

Metropolis Music is a multinational ensemble formed in the early 2000s that blends elements of rock music, jazz, and electronic music into a hybrid sound. The group has connections to scenes in New York City, London, and Berlin, collaborating with prominent artists and producers from Universal Music Group-affiliated studios. Over two decades the ensemble has released several studio albums, toured internationally, and participated in festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and Montreux Jazz Festival.

History

Founded in 2001 by a collective of session musicians who had worked with David Bowie, Madonna, and Nile Rodgers, the group emerged from the post-millennial cross-pollination of downtown New York City venues and the underground scenes of London and Berlin. Early members had backgrounds with Roxy Music, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, and the Blue Note Records jazz roster. The ensemble signed an initial deal with Island Records and released its first EP produced by an engineer associated with Abbey Road Studios and Electric Lady Studios. In the 2000s lineup shifts included recruits from The Strokes, Interpol, and session players who had recorded with Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Key turning points include a breakthrough performance at South by Southwest and a collaboration with a songwriter linked to Sony Music Entertainment that led to mainstream radio play across BBC Radio 1, KEXP, and NPR Music.

Musical Style and Influences

The band’s sound draws from the rhythmic experimentation of James Brown-linked funk, the melodic architecture of The Beatles, and the production aesthetics of Brian Eno and Phil Spector. Harmonic language often reflects the jazz improvisation associated with Miles Davis and the modal approaches of John Coltrane, while electronic textures owe debts to Kraftwerk and Aphex Twin. Vocal arrangements show influence from Prince, Michael Jackson, and Sinéad O'Connor, while guitar work references Jimi Hendrix, Tom Verlaine, and Johnny Marr. Production collaborators include engineers who worked with Mark Ronson, Nigel Godrich, and Rick Rubin, situating the ensemble within a lineage that includes LCD Soundsystem, Thom Yorke, and Arcade Fire.

Notable Members and Collaborators

Notable members have included a bassist who previously recorded with Paul Simon and Sting, a drummer with credits alongside Herbie Hancock and Steely Dan, and a keyboardist who toured with Coldplay and U2. Guest vocalists and collaborators span a wide range: a session singer associated with Beyoncé, a songwriter from The National, horn players connected to Tower of Power, and string arrangers who worked for Adele and Sam Smith. Producers and remixers involved include figures tied to Moby, Daft Punk, Sia, Florence and the Machine, and Calvin Harris. The ensemble’s collaborative ethos also brought in choreographers and visual directors who previously collaborated with Madonna, Björk, and Lady Gaga for stage productions and music videos.

Discography

Studio albums include an eponymous debut released on Island Records in the mid-2000s, a sophomore album produced in part at Sunset Sound and mixed by engineers from Abbey Road Studios, and later releases on Atlantic Records and independent imprints affiliated with Universal Music Group. Key singles charted on lists compiled by Billboard, UK Singles Chart, and ARIA Charts. Notable releases featured remixes by artists associated with Nile Rodgers, Tiga, and Hot Chip, and soundtrack placements in films by directors such as Christopher Nolan and David Fincher as well as television series produced by HBO and Netflix.

Live Performances and Tours

The ensemble has headlined venues ranging from Madison Square Garden to intimate stages like The Village Vanguard. Festival appearances include Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Primavera Sound, and Roskilde Festival. Tours have taken them across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, supporting acts such as Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and The Rolling Stones on select legs. Live lineups often expand to include horn sections with alumni from The Dap-Kings and string quartets drawn from players who have performed with Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.

Reception and Impact

Critics from outlets like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Guardian, New York Times, and NME have noted the ensemble’s fusion of genres and cinematic production, often comparing certain albums to the work of David Bowie, Talk Talk, and Peter Gabriel. Awards recognition has included nominations from the Grammy Awards, the BRIT Awards, and regional honors presented by MTV. The group influenced a wave of hybrid acts in the 2010s that blended electronic music with live instrumentation, alongside artists such as Alt-J, Tame Impala, and Glass Animals. Its members’ session work and production collaborations further linked the ensemble to developments in mainstream pop and independent scenes associated with XL Recordings, Domino Recording Company, and Matador Records.

Category:2000s musical groups Category:Musical groups from New York City