Vowel disavowal

L.A.’s the Mae Shi is confusing to pronounce, difficult to describe and easy to enjoy

HELL, YEAH: The Mae Shi

Between all the in-jokes, outtakes, obscurantism and acronyms, it’s tough to pinpoint just what makes the Mae Shi’s tunes so damn sincere and vital. They’re a bunch of outrageously clever, DIY, jack-of-all-trades, prog-programming pixel punks who’ve been concocting experimental synth tunes since 2003. But the clusterfuck of connotations in their tracks is somewhat less intimidating when you realize they can’t even agree amongst themselves what they’re doing. Take, for instance, the meanings of the names of their band and fabulous new album, HLLLYH.

Mae Shi, says singer and keyboardist Jonathan Gray, means, “Literally, before death!” Drummer Brad Breeck, on the other hand, says, “I think we all have different ideas about what Mae Shi means. Tim [Byron], our bassist emeritus, came up with it, I think. HLLLYH is either ‘hallelujah’ or ‘hell yeah,’ depending on who you ask. The idea was kind of to reference the theme of the record while leaving it open to interpretation. And making it confusing to pronounce.”

Yet more evidence arises when the band members explain their nerdier nomenclature, as on EP THAC0 and track “PWND.” (“Fuck vowels forever!” says guitarist Jeff Byron.)

“There is a definite reverence for geek culture throughout the Mae Shi canon,” says Breeck. “I like the acronyms because they’re both loaded and empty at the same time. They point to multiple readings and interpretations.”

Given the incredibly scattered aesthetic of their music, ranging from post-punk and nostalgic indie to anthem pop and even house, it follows that the band serves as an umbrella for all manner of associated media. Breeck explains, “The central thesis of the band has kind of been about using it as a self-improvement vehicle. It’s a platform for learning all kinds of new things—making movies, designing t-shirts or art, learning promotion, learning to record music.”

But beyond all the irony and reference, from the soaring choruses and quirky intimacy of it, you can’t escape the feeling that these boys really, truly mean it, from the bottom of their hearts. Sorta.

With the Death Set and
Ghettonuns at Zoobizarre on
Sunday, July 13, 9 p.m., $10