Metro The Animal is an electronic pop trio from Cape Town, South Africa. The group is composed of singers, Leandi and Lelani van den Berg, and producer and drummer, Werner von Waltsleben.
The trio recently released their debut single entitled “We Are Golden”. It’s an anthem for those getting lost in the new norm of today and the need to reconnect. It`s a reminder that there is purpose and to not fade into the hustle.
I recently had a chat to Metro The Animal, this is what they had to say:
How did Metro the Animal form and how did you decide on the name?
We have been making music together for the past few years in and across different projects. We finally decided to take the plunge and do something as a trio. The name was quite an interesting challenge.
We were driving past trains in Cape Town and laughed at how people always used to think wild animals walk around town and then came up with Metro The Animal. Shortly after a friend of ours asked if it means “Train The Animal” (which we did not think about at all). Kinda love that.
Tell us about the writing of the single
This song started with a verse and a piano melody. From there it went through various stages. Werner (aka Kilø Kami) worked very closely with our co-producer, Brendyn “Rusti” Rossouw to craft the “sound” and personality of the track.
At times it was a frustrating process because we were constantly challenging ourselves to do better but we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome! This is Werner’s first producer release as Kilø Kami, so keep an eye out for his next round of work.
The video is great; tell us about the making of it
From the beginning, we approached the music video as a visual piece of content. This really drove the conceptualisation of it. We teamed up with Quinton Lavery and his team at Passing Trains and they really made our vision come to life with this video.
From styling, art direction, VFX and telling a visual story, these guys really know how to put together a solid production.
What has the feedback been like so far?
We are brand new on the scene with this project and we are starting with a base of zero awareness! Saying that, the response has been absolutely amazing with multiple shares, listens, downloads and so much positive feedback. People love the song and the video, which gets us very excited to launch the next single early next year.
Sum each band member up in three words
Werner: Obsessive Compulsive and Cool
Lelani: Caring, foodie, passionate
Leandi: Ambitious, curious, foodie
How does your creative processes work? Who writes the lyrics and how do you feel into how the songs take shape musically?
The songs are a collaborative effort between the three of us. It could vary from Lelani or Leandi starting a melody with a lyric idea and Werner crafting the music and shape of the song from there or Werner having a beat and melody ready from where we write lyrics and further craft.
Every song has a way of forming itself as we work our way through the writing process. We don’t put pressure on completing it as we like to ensure every beat, lyric, and progression is exactly what it needs to be. It’s not a process that works for everyone, but it definitely is for us! As our producer, Werner also has a very strong role to play in terms of the sound and really shaping the end result.
Which SA musicians inspire you?
We love many local musicians, however, there isn’t a specific local artist/s that has influenced our sound.
What are Metro the Animal`s plans for 2019?
We will be launching a collection of singles, which will ultimately be released as an EP of which our 2nd single will come out early next year, which will also be accompanied by a music video. Our LIVE performances will also start sometime next year. Don’t wanna say too much about it now but it’s gonna be special, promise.
I’d like to thank Metro The Animal for this interview and I wish them all of the best with their future musical endeavors. If you haven’t checked out the music video for “We Are Golden” yet, check it out below
I’m not a huge fan of electronic music, but this is definitely my cup of tea. “We Are Golden” is a beaut of a song and I’m curious to see what Metro The Animal are going to get up to next. The music video is one of the better ones I’ve seen from a South African artist in 2018.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know in the comment section below
Watch this space for regular updates in the Music category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
Blogger, Desktop Activist, Twitter / Facebook Addict, Music Festival Addict, Avid lover of South African music, Founder and owner of Running Wolf’s Rant
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