Memotone is a multi-instrumentalist and producer. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, his sound is made up of layered instrumentation over the top of field recordings, conversation, atmospheres and electronica programming all tied up with live acoustic drums and binaural percussion, often using an MPC 1000 for live edits. Also showing a keen interest in sound-scape and textural experimentation.
Memotone mainly works in his bedroom studio, but also has a live performance to offer. His show is a captivating blend of live instrumentation including piano, keyboard, clarinet, trumpet, zither, guitar, bass, drums, glockenspiel, organ, melodica and toy instruments looped on a Boss RC-50 loop pedal with live audio effected from a Kaoss Pad 3 and samples triggered from an MPC 1000. When playing, William Yates is switching from instrument to instrument, from pads to keys and from pedal to pedal and sometimes all together. “There are many more restrictions in live music, especially when performing on your own but it does bring something different to the music altogether that may be lost in a studio environment. When I play live I try and make it so every sound you hear you can see me create or trigger (when samples are involved.) I never use a laptop on stage and want to keep it that way. I think it’s much more interesting for the crowd and as a performer.”
SNIPPET FROM AN INTERVIEW FOR SUPERSUPER! MAGAZINE:
5) Do you think that the concept is as important/relevant/significant now as it once was?
I think a concept within music certainly has its place. And can even give a piece more meaning and integrity. But it is not essential. Sometimes music just happens. Often it is these spontaneous bursts that offer the most insight into an artist. Without forcing the music to conform with a certain idea you allow the sound more freedom, which can easily lead to something far more personal. At least, if your not using lyrics, that is. By being spontaneous you are also being experimental; sometimes these experiments are successful sometimes they are disastrous!
There are probably as many people using concepts in music now as there always were. Artists are driven to express themselves through creativity. Always trying to communicate feelings or experiences through their output. Art hinges on human emotion and psychology. I think if we lost that connection we might as well throw in the towel.
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Memotone Releases:
A Future Without – Friend [August 2010]
Black Acre – Multicolour EP [March 2011]
– Lost Hours EP [October 2011]
Raised By Records – RBR001 [October 2011]
Along with tunes being featured on compilations for Outlier Recordings and a host of free EP’s which you can download here:
FOUR TRACKS FOR FREE: http://memotone.bandcamp.com/
BAD PANDA EP: BAD-PANDA-EP
FREE EP 2012: http://boilerroom.tv/memotones-free-ep/
ENJOY!
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Away from his personal music William Yates has also been working with publishers, namely Hear No Evil.
His music has been used by: UBS (Television Advert), AllSaints (http://youtu.be/Ve-Ua6o05FU), Mercedes (The New C-Class internet campaign), Lonely Planet (Travel Guide App), Wallpaper Design (Internet Film) and National Geographic (Departures Season 3 for TV). As more and more work comes in, the list will hopefully grow.
Hopefully this page will give you a little more incite into what Memotone is trying to do. Please enjoy the music.
For Bookings (Live Set) email: sinan@elasticartists.net
If you need to get in touch with me directly you can do so via email or telephone.
Email Address: will@memotone.co.uk
Telephone: 07784013518