Behind the Beats: Meet MacheeeN Boi of Grey Meta

Behind the Beats: Meet MacheeeN Boi of Grey Meta

As we launch Snake Oil, our collaboration with Grey Meta, we’re diving into the world of the label’s enigmatic co-founder, MacheeeN Boi.

Known for pushing boundaries with twisted beats and fragmented rhythms, Grey Meta is redefining the electronic music scene. In this exclusive interview, we chat with MacheeeN Boi about the label’s ethos, inspirations, and what makes this collab sauce a perfect fit for their creative universe.

Can you tell us your name and a bit about your background before Grey Meta?
I am Jon AKA MacheeeN Boi. Prior to Grey Meta I grew up in Yorkshire, travelled the world, and have been DJing and involved with electronic music since I was 17. I used to run Sustained Records, a label which put out even more agro music than we do on Grey Meta. That label closed shop, and after a few years of focusing on music production and being a synth geek, Grey Meta was formed.

Can you tell us about Grey Meta? How did the label come to be? What is the ethos and musical direction of the label?
Grey Meta is a label through which we put out electronic music which has a rave element at its core, but is cerebral enough to get chins stroked. It is pretty much always electronic music that we put out, but we are open to all manner of genres, so long as we all agree to putting it out. There are 4 of us who co-founded the label, Shaun Azrak, Nancy and Miike Teknoist. We all bring different skills and outlooks to the table, so consensus on what we put out is important to us. It also keeps the quality astronomically high, if I do say so myself! The label was formed just before covid, which felt like either a stupid, or amazing time to kick off such a venture. I am still not sure which of those it is now! We had this post genre / pan genre / genre fluid vision for the label, and we wanted a family feel to it, not going out asking people for releases, instead keeping it homegrown, working with artists we know well, respect and have an organic connection to. It is hard to explain, but if we all believe in what we are doing, and we are working with the right people, with a focus on quality over everything else, we can not go wrong. That was the aim, and so far I think we are succeeding.

Can you tell us why would a label release an EP on a bottle of hot sauce? Why hot sauce and how did this collaboration come to be?
We are hot sauce heads, and I don’t say this lightly, Khoo makes some of the best hot sauce on the planet. I know this, because I have tried as much as I can! We are always open to ideas and collaborations, and physical mediums, so when the idea about putting out a hot sauce as a physical release was sparked over an outstanding BBQ at Khoo’s, it just made sense. We’ve done records, tapes, tshirts etc, so why not a hot sauce? Especially one that is so unique and genuinely fills a gap in the market. I don’t know any other hot sweet chilli sauces like this, and that is what we are looking for in everything we do, that moment of “oooohh, what is this?” or even better “what would you call this?”.

Can you recommend three tracks from the label for our readers to check out that would best define the sound of the label as a whole?
Damn right I can. In no particular order…

Anorak – Rude Shit – off the Snake Oil release. His best track to date and it is pure mayhem.
Jacob – Cliche Jungle Track Title – it is super anthemic and the drum work is sublime.
Stazma – Protection – The production and timbre of this track is out of this world. Julien is a beast and this track beyond proves it. I can’t describe how many times I listened to this as musical medicine when my head went west one time. Perfection.

What is your all time favourite hot sauce?
Ouch tough question. I am mad into fruity spicy numbers and habaneros. I have made a few batches of mango and pineapple habanero sauces which I was pretty proud of. Marie Sharps always, always, delivers in this regard. I recently got an interesting apple and tequila sauce from Chorrito which rocked my world for the few days I had it. Oh and my sister got me a Polish Sriracha that is absolute rocket fuel. I’ve got to shout out Khoo’s Super Sauce as being just that, super. And some of Khoo’s top secret ferments are insane! I can go rampantly hot, but I don’t really choose to anymore now I am in my 40s. The bottle of Z Sauce that has been in my fridge for at least 2 years is testament to this! Some of the Heartbeat sauces have been incredible. Oh and Melinda’s are superb. Sorry, this doesn’t actually answer your question. This is a hard game and is ultimately going to end up in me doing a massive restock!

We love fiery food at Khoo’s Hot Sauce. How hot do you like it? Could you let us know your favourite spicy meal?
I was born in Bradford, and I cut my teeth on the curry joints around Lumb Lane. I remember having a phaal before I was at secondary school. So spice is in my blood. I am a half decent cook and pretty much everything has a kick. I use chilli flakes like most people use salt and pepper, all three is certainly the dream combo. But a favourite spicy meal. Errrm, a spicy khao soi gai is certainly up there as a favorite, as is much of the food from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

What’s in store for Grey Meta over the next few years? Any exciting plans?
We have a couple of new releases on the horizon, one of them is a remix EP of something we have already put out and the remixes are insanely good. We are kind of nimble with how we approach things, not wanting too much on the long term horizon, so we don’t keep anyone waiting too long for a release, but yeah, we always have plans to cause an absolute racket.

Running a record label you know a thing or two about good music. What album are you listening to at the moment?
Very recently I have been enjoying DjRUM’s Meaning’s Edge album – it is super classy. This past year I have cained Floating Points’ Cascade album, the production is out of this world. I am super excited about the new Blawan and CZARFACE albums which are dropping very soon. I dare say those will get rinsed. I am very much reverting to listening habits from when I was younger, in that when I find something I like, or am intrigued by, I listen to it compulsively as a multi week, or month binge, then never again. I have recently done that with The Silence of the Perfect Dark by The Silence, Syntheism by EPROM and even Eminem’s new album.

Any last words?
Be excellent to each other. Rave hard, even if just occasionally. Eat Hot Sauce. Look after your ears. Support independent artists, and companies. Well done for getting this far. Peace. x