POINT OF VIEW INTERVIEW #17

PRODUCER: METSÄ

From Seattle, Washington, Maxwell aka metsä, is what I feel, a hidden gem with enormous skill and talent to offer. Each song he produces never fails to show the gallows of emotion and positive feelings he contains as an artist and person. This vibrant artist is able to give you a wide range of musical styles, by using sounds of nature, violin, piano, and other various electronic elements, metsä's style can only be defined as music for the soul. From releasing a five track EP titled, Icicles to his numerous remixes like Mothica's EP Mystic and Poly Pines's "Swordplay" ft. Kolada, metsä has been creating incredible music that leads him to having the opportunity to collaborate with many artists, such as Madnap, for a track titled, "Kokiri Forest," on Paper Crane's recent volume. There's no doubt why metsä won't be considered undiscovered very long. With the songs he passionately produces, he's able to create music to move listeners both physically and emotionally. Having the opportunity to ask metsä a few essential questions, I am excited to say, below you can check out the interview I had with him containing talk about his inspiration behind him as an artist and person. 

Keep up with metsä on:
SoundCloud: metsä 
Twitter: @madebymetsa
Facebook: metsä 
Instagram: @madebymetsa
Spotify: metsä 

Question 1: What got you into making music? 

Last year I found myself in a dorm room with a ton of free time, and no idea what to do with it.  I had always listened to a ton of different music in the past, and then I thought to myself “Why not try and do something like that?”  Also, I wanted to capture the memories and emotions that I’ve always had but never could put into words. 


Question 2: What people intrigue you or inspire you to pursue music? (Can be in any field i.e. music, writers, etc.) 

For me it’s people and everyday life that inspire me to write music.  I find that creating music gives me the ability to convey emotion in a way that comes naturally to me.  I pursue music as a creative release from daily life.  I package up all of those emotions, experiences, and memories into my tracks.   Every little detail from birds chirping in the morning, to the way rain and leafs fall to the ground.  Passing people and faces, friends and family, traveling to new locations, all inspire me to create.

Question 3: How would you define your style of music?

This is a very hard question; I actually don’t really know to answer to that… I think that as long as my music takes you on a journey, the genre doesn’t really matter.  I can’t really put my sound in a box, because I pull from so many inspirations.  If anything, I hope that my music can make your mind wander to nature, and wherever it leads you.

Question 4: What influences your style of work?

Artists such as Odesza, Mura Masa, Flume, the Soda Island Collective, Louis Futon, Louis the Child, Burial, Sorrow, Asa, and San Holo have really had an influence on my work.
The duo that makes up Odesza is from the same college I now attend, and them having beautiful synth work and vocal chops, I really draw influences from that.  Mura Masa has wonderful use of drums and unique samples that I love.  The entire Soda Island Collective has a huge range of sounds that I am inspired by.  When I write a track, I write to a specific feeling or emotion that I am drawing from.  I then start to remember past tracks that I’ve really enjoyed and see what elements I can pull from them to put into the track I am creating.   My tracks are an amalgamation of ideas and thoughts that I’ve refined into the final song.

Question 5: What is your favorite track that you have produced so far?

That is so tough!  I have a few tracks that hold a special place in my heart, and a few that aren’t even out yet that I love.  It’s also tough because the next tracks I’m working on become my favorite.

Personal faves that are originals would have to be “Don’t Give Up”, “Fall is Over” and “Standing Still”.  Those all carry a large story and emotion behind them, and I loved creating them.  Also all of the collabs I’ve worked on were huge learning experiences and I am so thankful that I got to create music with such amazing people.  All of the tracks I’ve produced / remixed hold a special place in my heart.

Question 6: How far do you plan to take your music, any goals? Who would you like to work with in the future?

I plan to take this as far as it will let me!  I’m so surprised to be at the point I am and am always looking to improve and progress.  Hopefully be able to play a few more shows in my college town and maybe even further than that.  I don’t want to get my hopes too high but I do have some goals that would be incredible to achieve in my life time.  I’d love to work with a ton of producers; however I find that building a friendship with them is what really counts for me.  If I have someone that supports me as a human being, as well as my music, I’m extremely happy.