MUTEMATH: SIMPLE EQUATIONS
Christopher H. WellsFor Mutemath, the equation is simple: amazing songwriting + a killer live show + futuristic sounds + irresistible grooves= success. Mutemath formed out of the ashes of the band Earthsuite. After the bands’ demise in 2001, vocalist/keytarist Paul Meany, tired of the music business’s BS and longing to get back to the core of why he played music in the first place, started a long distance collaboration with Missouri drummer extraordinaire Darren King. The pair mailed songs back and forth to hone their ideas into a cohesive lot of music. Meany and King rounded out the line up by recruiting bassist Ryan Mitchell-Cardenas and guitarist Greg Hill, both from Missouri as well, and Mutemath was formed. After finding the base of their sound, the group made New Orleans their new home and began to experiment with electronica and sampling, which took there music to levels that they couldn’t have imagined. From The Police to DJ Shadow to Tribe Called Quest, their abundance and wide palate of influences have primed Mutemath. Their songs are loaded with honey sweet hooks, hip hop influenced beats and lush soundscapes that pull you in and mesmerize you. All the while, the groove has you moving like a hippie at a disco. The band put on EP out on its own that sold roughly 40,000 copies. After touring extensively for a couple of years and crisscrossing the country close to seven times to support the release, they garnered the attention of independent labels and majors labels alike. So what did they do? They worked out a deal with both (Teleprompt and Warner Brothers to be exact) which gets them indie credibility and major label backing. Essentially, they now have the best of both worlds. Mute Math released their self titled record late last year and hasn’t looked back since. Tracks like the first single, “Chaos” showcase the bands’ driving, diverse and catchy sound. Meany and crew were in Chicago when I caught up with him.
When did you guys know you were onto something truly special?
It wasn’t probably until we had all four guys in the band; it started as a two piece, just Darren and myself. It was a side project of essentially doing music we liked. We were all just trying to figure out what we wanted to do. We had all been in a bunch of bands so…There was such a great connection on our first tour and that was it. We were off to the races and people started getting into what we were doing. People were showing up. You can’t ask for more than that.
Are there any interesting coincidences that have lead to your success?
I could probably go thru every person that works in this operation and there was some sort of a star aligning moment with everyone. A lot guys we worked with I’ve worked with for years. Even from a management perspective, it’s huge. If it wasn’t for Teleprompt who we have known through the years working with various projects, none of this would be happening at this level. Management, crew, people who are traveling with us, it all feels like there is something bigger at play.
What has been one of your most special gigs thus far?
The first thing that comes to mind would be Voodoo Fest in New Orleans last year, fall of 06, because growing up in New Orleans, I’ve been a fan of the festival for years and I have always wanted to play it. To play on the main stage was an honor. It was one of the most beautiful, days in New Orleans, it was a magic day. They cancelled it last year because of Katrina so this one was the first one since. That one will be etched in my brain for a long time.
One good thing about success and the new changes that come along with it, one not so good thing.
I wouldn’t agree with the term success to early but at least at the level we are at, we are able to play music fulltime. I’m inspired by young guys trying to get their foot in the door. It’s a good opportunity for us to open up doors to bands that otherwise might fall on deaf ears.
How has New Orleans influenced your sound and vibe?
When you think New Orleans music our sound doesn’t come to mind. As a whole, we’ve been on the outside of the music scene. The bigger picture is that there is an inspiration that comes from the city itself, it’s hard to explain unless you have been there. It’s a great place to create. I’m into the home town heroes like Harry Connick, Jr., the Marsaleses and Fats Domino.
Who are you listening to nowadays?
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible, David Axelrod, and Club of the Suns. They are a great new band from New Orleans. It’s a beautiful thing. We’ve been doing some stuff with them.
How do you create your music?
It’s 24-7 on call job. You never know when it’s going to strike you. You could be in the middle of anything and boom!!! The light bulb comes on. You take a minute, get your thoughts together and then chalk it out. There no particular way it happens. It just drops out of the sky. It can be a painful process sometimes though. The best way is when the song writes itself, but that doesn’t go well with deadlines though.
You are on essentially two different labels; are there ever any major snafus with this arrangement?
It’s a work in progress. We have built a team. Most bands don’t work out a deal like ours, so there were trust issues at first with Warner Brothers but now we are `on the same page. We were dead set on not just slopping out our music, so, we put a team together to make things better as a whole and we didn’t want to change the idea because a label got involved.. Nowadays you have to be on top of everything from videos to websites to promotion etc. to make it. You have to do it to be successful.
Are you from a musical family?
Yes. My father was musical. He was the music director at my church growing up. I played drums or bass or whatever instrument they stuck me on so I could back them up in a church playing in front of about 100 people. I think that’s definitely how it started.
What is the biggest thing in your life?
Music hands down. Nothing is bigger, more relevant or takes up all of my time now than music.
