Respected British label Hydrogen Dukebox (founded on February 14th 1992) have at last decided to reissue some of their classic catalogue and first in the works and 19 years since it was first released, is Metamatics cult LP Midnight Sun Pig which is being reissued complete as a special double vinyl on June 12th for the first time.
Produced by an unsung hero of UK electronica, Lee Norris AKA Metamatics, the album served as a perfect vehicle for Norris’ unique, idiosyncratic approach to composition. A classic of its time, Midnight Sun Pig was first released by the now-defunct Swedish based Dot Records at the dawn of the Millennium and gives a fascinating insight into the mind of Metamatics, with a distinctive sound that is impossible to pigeonhole.
Throughout the years Lee has produced under an array of pseudonyms spanning the techno and electronic music spectrum including Norken, Man-Q-Neon, Nacht Plank & Tone Language. He’s got really cool studio at home with a super impressive modular set-up.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit we knew that speaking to Lee would be difficult, but the truth is that the Coronavirus hit Lee on a more personal level than most. Unfortunately, as we worked to organize this interview, we learned that Lee’s mother contracted the virus and was not well.
Despite the difficult situation, Lee decided that he wanted to chat with us to share his experience as well as to discuss the album and music that still means so much to him today. He also sent along some photos of his studio for you to check out as you read the interview.
Hi Lee, thanks for the chat today. Whereabouts are you spending the lockdown?
I’m in the heart of Devon in between Exeter and Okehampton.
How has it been for you, these last 2 or so months of isolation in terms of your morale and mental health?
Apart from my Mother passing on from COVID-19 personally it’s been no different for me as I’m a self-confessed hermit anyway. I dropped off the grid about 10 years ago and I’m living the dream.
It’s been difficult for my daughter who is missing her school and friends but my wife and myself keep her occupied with studies and games. Not being able to see my mother has an emotion that’s new to me. I’m starting to come to terms with that.
I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing and want to offer our deepest condolences.
How are you keeping busy these days, what does a typical day look like?
I’m up early about 5am with our new puppy and then start the day organising releases on my various labels I run. Some studio time if I’m lucky. I like to finish around 4 and spend time with my family. The weather has been very kind to us of late so lots of cooking outside in the courtyard enjoying a glass of wine most evenings.
What benefits and silver linings have you found from this period at home?
Like I said I work from home in my studio I built here so it’s just another day that’s no different from the last.
Your Midnight Sun Pig album is about to be re-issued. How did that come about and how do you feel about it seeing a new light of day?
It’s an album I wrote over 20 year ago now and as a person I have changed and so has the music I make now. Hydrogen Dukebox have always fully supported the material I made back then and to see it now again on double pink vinyl has been incredible. I should listen to it again!! It might motivate me to get the funk!
It’s been almost 20 years since it was first issued. How much has the world of electronic music changed since?
It seems everyone is making music now on Ableton with plug ins etc. The whole market is saturated with tons and tons of shit on places like Bandcamp. I don’t really buy new music and if I do it has to move me.
Usually I buy stuff from the ’70s and ’80s. I’m currently on a mission to collect everything by Conrad Schnitzler. New music that’s amazing to my ears is by Caterina Barbieri or MODU.