'Métisse' means mixture

And thats what this is, the mixture between African singer Aida, and Irish electronic composer Skully.

Their music is used extensively in TV and Cinema including

Madonna's "Next Best Thing". "E.R.", "The Bill", "Therapy", "Laura Biagiotti", "Lila Dit Ca", "Comet",

"FA cup", "Man Booker Prize", "Y'a Pas Photo", "Dead Like Me"

and many others

Aida was born in the beautiful Ivory Coast.

Singing and dancing was so much a part of her rich African tradition and every activity was dressed with a ritual

within the living of everyday life. At age six Aida was making a name for herself as a dance troupe leader,

offering lessons in choreography when she was not even old enough to know what the word meant.

One grandmother was a professional dancer while the other a professional singer.

Aida's mother has always been her main inspiration, her coach, and her rock when times were challenging.

In here teens, Aida moved between the Ivory Coast and Grenoble in France, then entered University in Toulouse.

Through this period, much of the rich dance and music culture of her childhood was left behind for a more academic life.

Then after turning 20, she took additional training, qualified as a gym instructor, moved from there back into dance.

Traditional dancing from West Africa, modern jazz dance and salsa were perfected to the highest standard

and Aida began to make a good living as a professional dance performer.

Two years later came the return to singing, and the cabaret market offered the opportunity to travel through France.

With many good gigs in Toulouse it seemed like a nice place to settle for a little while.

Skully was born in Ireland.

His father was a showband man performing on the big stage so to Skully music was the family way of life.

The Showband scene was not for the new generation so Skully followed the electronic path,

partnering with many colleagues over the years to deliver their latest brew.

His band “Chapterhouse” reached the top of the ladder in terms of success picking up all the highest awards in Ireland.

But this was not enough, and in frustration he took a seven-year retreat from the music business he so dearly loved.

He moved to Toulouse, France where he became a teacher of the English language.

Skully knew that something was missing in his music.

Coincidentally, many people were talking about this girl with an extraordinary voice that sang at a Cabaret in Toulouse.

Skully followed the posters and went to hear Aida sing.

Blown away by her voice, he went away from that gig to write music that he later presented to her.

Seriously impressed by what she heard, Aida agreed to take the time to record a few songs

...a mixture of true Celtic electronic wizardry and the beauty of all that is African.

There and then they decided to work together and called themselves Métisse

...meaning mixture...

mixture of black and white, of African and European, of electronic and soul.

Next came the sending of demo tapes to all those record companies who had rejected previous efforts.

But this time the answer was yes...and another yes..and another..and another.

Every record company now wanted this incredible new cocktail of perfection.

With many offers on the table Metisse's first step was to sign with Sony Music Publishing who were so impressed

by the music that they offered a worldwide publishing deal to a band who as yet did not have a record deal.

Up until now this was unheard of in the industry.

Then came the “big” deal with Telstar Records which was what Métisse had been holding out for.

Next came the big money, the great video shoots, the great market exposure, the exotic locations, limousines, champagne etc. It all seemed so good until it came to a point where the music was becoming the least sacred aspect in a business that was market driven.

Telstar were professional and genuinely considered to be one of the best in the music business.

However, debate arose over how best to “market” “Métisse”.

Telstar and Métisse parted.

Métisse bought their album back from Telstar...a rather gutsy move, and a gamble,

but one that has proven to be inspirational, and the beginning of more success.

Soon after came one lucky break after another.

Firstly, Madonna picked a Métisse song as title track to her movie “The Next Best Thing”.

Then came a list of successive licenses for high profile advertising campaigns, chart success, TV shows, the Olympic Games etc etc. Métisse themselves took on licensing their first album “My Fault” territory by territory around the world

...an ambitious undertaking but again one which worked out very well.

So, where do Métisse go from here?

The important thing for Skully and Aida is always to do what they do best..make beautiful, intelligent and modern music that comes from the heart.