Mute Math Interview Part IV
by: Travis | Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Unfortunately this is the last installment of our interview with Mute Math, we will be putting the interview up in its entirety in the next week on Mute Math's artist page. Enjoy!
Are the songs you write 100% Mute Math or do the record companies have any say on how your songs sound?
Yeah record companies that do that should only be doing that for artists who want the help. That’s why we created our own label, because we wanted to be left alone. When it’s time to create, you don’t want people breathing down your neck telling you what to do or what to say. That chokes the life out of creating music in the first place.
We wanted to create an environment where we could just do our thing and we think we have with Teleprompt and Warner. The goal is to create something that is compelling enough and everyone can rally around it, and then present it to the world, which is how record labels started in the beginning.
Labels were there to help the artist and somehow, through the development of the music industry and big bucks, record companies started creating artists to reach their audience. It wasn’t about trying to find the artist audience; it was about trying to find the record labels audience. That’s when things get dirty and we don’t make music like that, we don’t know how to make music like that. So to help us, we created Telepromt. It’s the best thing we could have done and we make the music we want to make and we say what we want to say.
I heard you guys are tight with Eisley? How did that come about?
Eisley is a great band and are hugely underrated. I remember when we were first starting out we played the Warner Bros. Christmas Party Showcase. At the time WB was still sizing us up to see if they wanted to work with us. We played a disastrous show and all the record execs were there. Thank God there was a lot of alcohol involved, but we sucked. It was really bad. When we were finished with our set no one would even look at us and I’ll tell you what, we went to the back corner and who do you think is there but Eisley. They were the only people that would talk to us. They introduced themselves and were the whole cheering, sisterly kind of compassion that we needed. Ever since then we have had a bond with them and two years later we got to play some shows together.
When you are on tour are you guys healthy or do you visit the local Dairy Freeze in each town?
I’ll tell you what, we try to be healthy. I set out at the beginning of every tour to be healthy because there is nothing worse than getting sick on the road and as a singer it sucks to be sick. I get sick at some point on every tour. I’m determined to break that streak and be healthy all the way through. Roy is pretty good, but the rest of us are slackers.
Who would win in a fight, Matchbox Twenty or Alanis Morissette?
Have you heard Jagged Little Pill? Don’t mess with Alanis, she will hand your ass to you.
What’s the best activity to do while listening to your music? Skateboarding?
No I wouldn’t skateboard, that’s a recipe for disaster. Have you ever heard of those shot-put things that you make yourself in a little ball and get into this little two-seater - you can go with a friend, then you strap on the harness. It’s basically a gigantic slingshot. A couple of your friends pull you down and then shoot you into the air. You kind of go back and forth for a while. Next time you do one of those take your iPod with you and play a little Mute Math and watch as the adrenaline overtakes you.
Do you think your music would go well in a skateboard video?
I don’t know, I’ve never seen our music in a skateboard video. I’ve heard our songs in a lot of snowboard videos. They love to use our song “Reset”. I don’t know if there is a rivalry in those two sports, where if one uses a song then the other one won’t touch it. Is that the case?
No, it all transfers for the most part. Maybe skateboarders need to take a seat in the human slingshot. Besides touring how did you get the band to the public when you first started?
We milked MySpace for everything it was worth. Inviting people on MySpace set up the first tour we ever did. We would see what kind of music they were into and send them an invite to come see us. The Internet just pushed us to think out of the box.
Are your parents Mute Math fans?
My parents? Oh they’ve come around. I think my dad genuinely likes us. My mom doesn’t. She tolerates it because she likes me. My grandfather who is a great entertainer made a cameo on our New Orleans show at Voodoo Fest. He came out and played the Ukulele. While he was on-stage we interviewed him and he candidly pointed out that our music is not necessarily his thing. Our family has a good time with it.
Where haven’t you toured that you would like too?
Japan, which we are supposed to play soon, we are really excited for Japan.
Well that’s about it. You got anything else you would like to say?
Thank you for all the shoes, they really helped with the Typical video. You guys kept hooking us up and we really needed them. We kept going through them like toilet paper.
Be sure to check Mute Math's new collab denim!
Mute Math Interview Part III
by: Travis | Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mute Math Interview Part III
- In this week’s installment, lead singer Paul Meany describes how weird playing TV shows in England can be, how Mute Math has made their way into the hearts of their fans, his favorite bands to see live and much, much more!
What one thing has helped Mute Math reach your public the most?
Well, when we made the Typical video. That was a shot in the arm for us. Our record had been out for over a year and we were touring on a small level and we knew we needed some sort of video to help push us. Warner Brothers were stumped and maybe a bit disenchanted, but after we made the video everything came to life. Warner Bros. got excited and MTV started giving us some exposure. We felt like something had happened. It wasn’t some exponential explosion by any means, but it kinda kept the show on the road. It really helped us do another tour and now we just found out yesterday that the Typical video has been Grammy nominated. We were pretty much beside ourselves. The video is up against Feist and the Justice dance video. Have you seen that video? It’s freakin’ ridiculous. Now we get to see what the Grammys are all about.
You guys have been playing lots of Late Night TV shows, are those kind of weird and stressful?
No, I love them, but in the beginning it seemed strange. I guess we were lucky and got to do some smaller shows that helped break us in. I remember when we did Craig Ferguson we didn’t even know about the show, but we had a great time anyway. It was kind of hard to be nervous about it. Now, when we got to do Letterman that was a feeling of “Holy hell we are playing the Ed Sullivan Theater!”
We’ve been fans since we were kids, so being there was an amazing feeling. We’ve learned to enjoy performing on TV shows; they are a whole different animal. Learning how to make the music translate through the TV and perform and not think about it can be tough. Luckily for us we’ve had lots of fans show up to those TV tapings, which is very encouraging, especially when we played Conan.
It must make it easier to have your fans there to cheer you on. If it were silent on the set then it would be weird and so much harder to perform, I would think.
We’ve done those also. The silent shows. Those are weird. They have these shows in England where you roll up to the TV studio, plug in your instruments and they roll cameras with no studio audience. I think that’s what the Brits like. I don’t think we’ve found our footing with those shows yet.
The Matchbox Twenty tour is coming up soon. How did that tour come about?
They called us a couple of months ago. I think we were their first choice. We gleefully obliged. This will be the biggest crowd we will have played for.
Do you think your music will translate to their crowd?
Absolutely, put us in front of anyone. As long as there are people willing to listen, then that’s who we want to play for. I don’t get sidetracked if their music fits ours. I mean we have toured with a lot of people and our music is in such a weird category anyway.
I don’t know how to describe our music, but we’re just trying to get it to people. I think there is something that happens when we play our music, there is an unsaid articulation that happens when something clicks with the crowd, after that it’s up to the crowd to make their decision if they like us or not. Any opportunity we get to open for almost any band has always been great for us. Except for maybe the Chevelle show.
Do kids dance at your shows?
Yeah, I like to think so. I don’t know if you can call it that, but there is definitely movement.
It must help to see the crowd getting their dance on?
Oh, you mean the crowd dancing? Well that varies. When there are people who know who we are there is usually various movements going on, but when we are opening we usually get stared down really good. Most people don’t know how to process what we are doing, which is good. I think one of the biggest rushes for this band is when we go out in front of a crowd that knows nothing about us and we play our set and it goes from silence in the beginning, to by the end of our set we have made some new friends.
Who are your favorite bands to see live?
There are tons of bands. Let’s see, who am I going to give it to? Umm, let’s start with the Flaming Lips one of the more incredible shows. I just saw Feist a few months ago and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more perfect performance. She is an angel and did an incredible job. One of my first obsessions was The Police. There is something really infectious about seeing them live. I never got to see them when I was a kid but when we did Bonaroo, The Police were on the bill, which was another crowning achievement for me. That was a chill bump moment. Plus no one thought The Police were going to get back together.
- Mute Math’s last interview installment will be next week. Be sure to stay tuned!
Green Scene Tips
by: Alex | Thursday, February 14, 2008
Get into the etnies Green Scene with our everyday eco-tips. Today's tip: Eat your veggies!
It's really that simple. We don't have to be vegetarians or vegans...but it helps the planet if we just cut down on the meat we eat. On the topic of carbon emissions and global warming, we usually hear about cars and commuting as the big culprits, but they're not the biggest; cow farts are. Not cow farts alone, but cow fart methane coupled with nitrous oxide from their manure... not to mention collateral damage from the deforestation to make room for pastures, fertilizer emissions from raising feed crops, plus the energy used to run meat packing plants.
So eat your veggies and enjoy a longer, healthier life for yourself and the planet.
More Green Scene tips to come! Meanwhile, check out the rest of The SEED Project Blog.
Take Action! Tour Starts Tomorrow
by: Alex | Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sign Up For The Latest etnies News
by: Alex | Tuesday, February 12, 2008
At any given moment there's tons of stuff going on at etnies. Between the rider news, giveaways, artists, new music, new PRODUCTS, it's enough to make your head explode. How's a kid supposed to keep up? Well...newsletters, SMS alerts and site alerts are all about US keeping YOU in the know. Because we like you and it'd be sort of a shame for your head to explode. The thing is, it takes two to tango...so sign up to make sure you know what's up before you miss out. Stay updated!
Mute Math Interview Part II
by: Travis | Monday, February 11, 2008
In this installment, Paul talks about the unglamorous, yet very fulfilling, making of the Transformers theme song. We also discuss recording for the upcoming album, keytar lessons, why skateboarding is pretty much off limits for the band and how their very own etnies signature jean came about.
How long have the Mute Math guys known each other?
For about 10 years now.
You met from playing in bands?
The guys all came to New Orleans for various reasons. Roy came to New Orleans for college and we ended up meeting in a little jam session at this club on Bourbon Street. At the time he wasn’t even a bass player, he just played guitar and drums. But we ended up doing a lot of instrument swapping, so one time Roy picked up the bass and the heavens opened up and it was like, holy hell dude, why are you not a bass player? I started playing keys and after that things started clicking.
Have you ever had any keytar lessons?
Ha, no. I’ve never seen lessons for keytar in the classified ads. Maybe I should put an ad out to see if I get any kids wanting to learn to play keytar.
If you put a classified on the Mute Math website you would probably get tons of kids taking lessons. You could also have a keytar contest where the winner would receive a keytar.
Now you are thinking. We need some keytar tutorials on the Internet.
How is the new album shaping up? Is there going to be as much keytar on the new album? Is it going to fall in the same lines as the last record?
That’s kind of hard to say. We are still in the experimental mode, which is what we normally do while looking for song concepts, melodies and chords. The vibe of the record is still open, but we are definitely pushing beyond anything we have accomplished before. One of the things that started this band was the freedom to create, it wasn’t about forming song ideas into formulas, it was about making something we like to listen to and play every night. The temptation going into this next record is the idea that we already have a handful of songs that have made some waves, so let’s write another one of them. That would be the easy way out. Anything goes right now and I can promise that the next record will be better than the first. I won’t put it out unless it is. It has to be better.
Is that the way with everything Mute Math has done?
Yes, because you want to keep improving as a songwriter and as a musician. You also want to keep tapping into inspiration; that unsaid feeling of why you became a musician in the first place. We are flirting with greatness right now, I know that I will see to it that the next album comes out great and I can’t wait for the world to hear it!
How do you feel about skateboarding? Do any of you guys shred the local skate park?
I had a miserable jaunt at trying to skate when I was a kid. I have no talent with skateboards. Roy is the skater, he likes to travel around with one when we tour. He’s the only one with enough balance to do a few tricks and enjoy it. The rest of us need to stay off skateboards for the sole purpose of remaining on tour and not breaking any bones.
We are doing a collaboration denim jean with Mute Math. Did you have any part of the design of the jean?
Yeah, we got to have a little input and I’m really happy with how the jean turned out. It was the broken key design right? It’s been a while since we designed the jean. The broken key design was from the first night I broke the keys off of my keytar. One of the crew took a photo of it and Roy had the idea of turning the photo into a T-shirt, but when the thing came up with etnies the design ended up on a pair of jeans.
Would you wear the jeans?
Yes I would. You didn’t ask if I would wear it out in public, but yes, I would wear them around the house at least.
I know you guys wrote the theme song for the Transformers movie but all I want to know is did you get your own Transformers Mute Math figurines?
It’s funny, when people ask us about the Transformers soundtrack they have these grand illusions that we are part of it, like Spielberg asked us himself to be a part of the movie and we are getting these huge royalty checks. When Transformers came out we weren’t even aware of it. It was about as unglamorous of an event as possible.
So how did you come about getting the gig then?
The movie was done and they were trying to put the soundtrack together so they wanted us to give the theme a shot. We locked into a studio for a couple of nights and emailed them the track when we were done and that was the end of it. They didn’t make us any Mute Math action figures or keytar Decepticons or Atari Autobots. There were no incentives. But we had a blast making the song. It was actually really challenging because... I will be honest... it was a childhood obsession of mine. I collected Transformer figures for a while and if someone were to go back in time and tell little Paul Meany that he would sing the theme song on the soundtrack for the Transformers movie it would have been a very happy day.
But when we tried to recreate the stigma that was the Transformers, it was difficult. It took a few beers to be able to reach down within and sing with no inhibition about Autobots and Decepticons. There was a point when we needed these laser noises and Darren obliged by putting on the headphones. He just got all five-year-old Darren. He poured his heart out into these laser noises and he kind of lost himself. I was watching him do the noises and started laughing hysterically and ended up on the ground crying from laughing so hard. But yeah, we had a great time making it.
- Check in next week for the next installment of the Mute Math interview
Win A Take Action! Tour Prize Pack
by: Alex | Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Take Action! Tour is heading your way! The charity music rockstravaganza kicks off in Detroit next week and will steadily make its way to a town near you. Until then, read up on the latest tour news and enter to win cool sh*t from the bands and sponsors... including yours truly. The giveaway ends March 23rd so get on it, ENTER NOW!
So bummed...
by: Brink | Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Introducing 2008 SEED Project Girls Line
by: Alex | Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The etnies SEED Project grew out of a love for the planet, a sense of shared responsibility and a belief that we (and you!) can affect change. Following the lead of parent company Sole Technology, etnies took its first steps toward a greener future with the Spring 2007 SEED Project. The inceptive line included men's apparel and footwear made of sustainable and recyclable materials that reflect our responsibility to give back to the planet.
For Spring 2008, etnies collaborated with San Diego-based artist Gary Benzel for new SEED Project line, which now also includes some stylish and eco-friendly options for us gals. Check out the new goods and learn more about SEED here.
Stay tuned to the SEED blog for more "love the planet" stuff, including everyday tips on going green.
New SEED Project Collection!
by: Alex | Tuesday, February 5, 2008
etnies SEED is growing. Created in 2007 as an effort to reinforce our commitment to the environment and expand existing green initiatives, the SEED Project is an etnies line of eco-friendly fashions made with recycled, sustainable and organic materials. New for Spring 2008, etnies collaborated with San Diego-based artist Gary Benzel to produce new footwear and apparel styles for men and women. Check out the goods...
etnies Exclusive Mute Math Interview!
by: Travis | Monday, February 4, 2008
Getting a hold of Mute Math’s Paul Meany is tricky business. Dealing with what seemed an army of publicists, managers and recording times to eek out a mere forty-five minute interview – Ha, was well worth our time as Paul is about as warm and talkative of a musician as you will ever find. Not only that, but Mute Math draws direct inspiration from Pat Benatar! Questions varied from Keytar lessons to the state of the music industry and where Mute Math fits into it all with their genre bending brand of melody making.
etnies has collaborated with Mute Math to create their very own jean. A lot of keytar smashing went into the making of this jean so be sure to check it out. We will be posting segments of this interview every week in February, so be sure to check back every week for more Mute Math.
etnies: Hello, Paul?
So you have finally decided to do the interview. It sounded like there was a lot of back and forth action. Were you guys second guessing it? You don’t really want to talk to us do you?
How did you know? That just might be it?
We tend to have that affect on people.
Well let’s have it, hit me with your best shot boy. Who did that quote anyway? Pat Benatar? Joan Jett?
That was Pat Benatar. Do you guys model your music after Pat Benatar?
Exactly, oh to be Pat Benatar…
I thought I could hear some of her vibe in you guys.
Yeah, well when we had our first initial band meeting, we each wrote down secretly what we wanted this band to sound like and surprisingly, every one of us said Pat Benatar. What the hell, it’s meant to be. Mission accomplished!
Yes, very good job on that accomplishment. I heard that I pulled you from the studio to do this interview? What's going on in there?
Just trying to write some new songs. Umm, and uh, yeah, staying busy with that while we have some time off.
So does that mean you are at home in New Orleans? I heard that’s a beautiful place no matter what the winds bring.
Have you been to New Orleans?
No, but I’ve seen lots of pictures. Poor Katrina. I used to live in Memphis, that’s why I can say it’s beautiful in the South.
New Orleans is a great place to grow up and a great place to be. After Katrina we relocated up to Tennessee, I’m missing New Orleans more than ever. Greg still lives down there. I’m jonesing for the food and of course the atmosphere, which is completely its own thing. I guess you take it for granted when you grow up there and it’s like, yeah that’s the French quarter, that’s uptown and when you start traveling the world you start realizing how special a place it really is. There is no place quite like it that clashes all the cultures. You know, it really is a melting pot of all the places in the world and we are going to try and record our next album there. We are gearing up for that.
When is recording going to happen?
In the spring.
Would you say New Orleans has had an affect on your music? Especially being surrounded by such a musical atmosphere all your life?
You know when you think of New Orleans music, certain things come to mind and our music isn’t one of them. Our music doesn’t really encapsulate what is traditionally New Orleans music and I’m the only one from New Orleans. Half the band is from Springfield, Missouri; there is a territory battle within Mute Math, that’s what’s going on right now.
What side is winning the battle?
Missouri is winning; I’ve probably got to find a producer and a mix engineer from New Orleans to help pull this one through. There is a bit of New Orleans in the music though. All the guys have lived in New Orleans for the past ten years and just being in the city, the vibe, the energy, there is something about it that compels art. It’s a great place to be creative. One thing that I love about this band is the rhythm section. I know a lot of New Orleans bass players and drummers have influenced Darren and Roy over the years.
I must say that Darren’s drumming is one of my favorite things about Mute Math.
I think my favorite thing about Darren’s drumming ability is that it opens the door to what we can create. Darren is a rare drummer that really understands the line between R&B and Rock drumming, he approaches his beats with a soulful type of playing but with an amazing rock execution. Usually drummers are one or the other, but I think Darren has found a good place between the two. He can sort of lay down these dirty grooves, from gutter-grease in the streets to backbeat stuff. He has got the energy and execution of rock drummers and with that he opens up a world of possibilities for us. He also puts on one hell of a show. I don’t know if you guys have seen us live?
I never have. I’ve seen some video of you live but that doesn’t count. I hear the live show is supposed to be quite the experience.
The show has been pretty foundational to getting our band out there. That and touring along with the Internet.
Why has touring been such a big thing for you guys?
Well the last tour we did was absolutely insane. We really had to pinch ourselves because we played for some of our biggest crowds yet. We’ve opened shows to big crowds for other bands, but when the crowds come just for us, that feels great. So yeah, it really starts to feel that circling the country seven or eight times and going back to the same cities has been huge for us, a lot of the kids drag along their friends the next time we come through their town. It’s quite a feeling of accomplishment. I have played in bands that every time we went out less and less people would come to our shows and of course the band would break up and try something else. It’s nice to be in a band where people come to the shows and we click as a band and everything comes together.
- Read more of our Mute Math interview with lead singer/keytar player Paul Meany next week.