One of indie music’s biggest names will be playing in Montreal tonight. Since the release of their sophomore record entitled Live It Out this past fall, Canadian band Metric having been busier than ever. The band’s bassist, Joshua Winstead, answered some questions via email not too long ago. This is what he had to say:
The Concordian: You guys were just nominated for a Juno award. What does this nomination mean to you? Do you think that winning a Juno has the same value today as it did 30 years ago?
Winstead: Getting nominated for a Juno is like a welcome pat on the back. Things like awards and the opportunity to play with the Rolling Stones are moments where it feels like the music world has accepted your arrival with open arms. Due to my ignorance of what it was like to win a Juno 30 years ago, I can’t compare the two.
The Concordian: How important is it for you to maintain a good presence in Canada, even with your international success?
Winstead: It is very important. Canada is one of the first home bases. Canada is one of the few places that helped make this whole thing possible; without it we might have broken up long ago.
The Concordian: How would you describe the past couple of months following Live It Out’s release?
Winstead: The past couple of months feels like about a year and a half; I was shocked to realize right now that it has only been that long. We have done so much in that short time that it all blurs together. What a strange life.
The Concordian: Sophomore records can definitely make or break an artist. Why do you think you’ve avoided the sophomore jinx?
Winstead: I’m not so sure we did, I know we really like this album, but does everyone else we will still see. Honestly, all we did was try to make an album that was better than the first, whether we succeeded or not is a judgment call, but the intention was there and I feel that shows.
The Concordian: Would you say your new record is more of a departure or a growth for Metric and why?
Winstead: The new record is definitely a growth, and that is because Metric was growing as a band, and still is. Especially for that album, we were finding out who we were as people together, redefining a band that was already somewhat defined. With Joules and I joining, there was bound to be some changes, and some experimentation.
The Concordian: Listening to Live It Out, one can hear that it is more edgy than your previous effort. You guys seem to have taken more risks. Do you think that fewer artists are willing to take risks with their music today? Why?
Winstead: I’m not so sure what other people do and if they are or aren’t taking risks. That is hard for me to tell. I know some people have different tastes. I really know that we as the people in Metric are somewhat of risk takers in our art, and our lives or else we wouldn’t have come together as we have. Nobody in Metric has yet to compromise their art out of fear.
The Concordian: Why do you think there is such a need to categorize and classify music today? Do you think it’s because people are lazy or because it makes it easier for people to say that a band is “indie rock” or “pop”? What kind of an impact or repercussions do these classifications have on bands?
Winstead: I don’t think classification is anything but people trying to discuss something with each other. Most people I know are very into music and love it a lot, so when they are excited about something they want to talk about it. And what is the first questions someone asks you when you are talking about a band? “Who do they sound like?” or “what does it sound like dude?” Which in the very essence of communication leads to categorization and classification.
Metric perform tonight at the Metropolis. Tickets are $22.50, show at 8 p.m.