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>> MuteMath transform chaos into success

HEAR NO GUMBO: MuteMath

by LATEEF MARTIN

With their blend of electronica and sample-heavy rock, MuteMath plugged into the digital age in 2002, and garnered enough of a fanbase through video blogs to tour. Five years later, they’re supporting a self-titled album on a major label with a U.K./North American tour. For this interview, however, vocalist/keytarist Paul Meany, drummer Darren King, bassist Roy Mitchell-Cárde and guitarist Greg Hill are one entity, like the Constructicons merging to form the gigantic Devastator, all voices talking as one.

Mirror: You guys have been busy: a top-charting album, an innovative video in heavy rotation, (for the song “Typical,” where everything happens in reverse), covering the Transformers theme song for the film’s soundtrack—how is the band holding up?

MuteMath: The band is holding up fine, it’s our equipment that seems to be folding under the pressure. It’s as if they all just had a meeting in the trailer and decided that they’re underappreciated and sick of the constant abuse, and they all simultaneously stopped working. We’ve started going to counselling, and I think we’re making huge strides in the healing of our relationship. Just a night out for a romantic dinner has worked wonders.

M: If MuteMath was a Transformer, which one would it be?

MM: One that never seems to work.

M: Technology is increasingly becoming an integral part of music, video-making and distribution. What would you guys be like if you were a band in the roaring ’20s?

MM: We would tour with an all-black children’s choir where all the musical instrumentation would be produced by their mouth noises.

M: Being based in New Orleans, how did Katrina affect you?

MM: When Katrina happened, we were just finishing up our record. If anything, it forced us to kick our music into second gear and go full force into touring because it quite literally became all we had.

M: Your music is an eclectic mélange of styles, musical gumbo. How has coming from New Orleans influenced your approach to music?

MM: Aw, you fell in the trap. You said musical gumbo. You’ll have to drop and give me 20 push-ups and then I’ll answer your question. Next time perhaps.

With Pilot Speed at le National on
Wednesday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m., $17