It’s every band’s dream to make it, to get out of the small city living they may’ve been born into and to share their music with the world. Luckily for New Orleans band Mutemath that dream is now a reality.
Seven years after releasing their first self-titled album, the talented lads prepare to roll out a fourth record which lead singer Paul Meany says they’re “approaching as the first Mutemath record we’ve ever made.”
With an aim to be completed by the end of 2013 the yet to be named new album isn’t adhering to the usual electric guitar-driven rock-blue tunes.
“There are hints of it, but this record seems to be leading us to a new place. For the first time we are creating within a framework of keeping things ‘Mutemath’ and acknowledging what that’s come to mean to us over the last three records. I think the result should be what a lot of fans are hoping for. “
All musicians approach the writing process differently. Some bash it out in a few hours sitting in their parent’s basement creating tunes; others require endless days of retreat pulling a mash of ideas together. For Mutemath it’s the later, a “compilation of jams and rabbit trails,” including anything from a “30 second vocal idea to a ten minute instrumental.
“Usually in the 11th hour when we’re out of time and money we hack away at the pile of ideas and turn it into something listenable.”
Realising the lack of formula in his writing process, Meany reveals “I guess [it’s] more like a panicked default pattern. Ah, and there’s our [album] title…” the singer laughs cheekily.
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For fans who have experienced the craziness of Meany’s onstage antics; they’ll know that he is energetic like a child on red cordial, has the intensity of an epileptic seizing at the sight of light, and the passion of two lovers gasping for breathe amidst an embrace; an out and out rockstar.
“Something about the fear I think is what compels me to keep at it.”However, Meany isn’t always this electrifying creature who bursts with vigour. To this day, he still fears the stage. “Something about the fear I think is what compels me to keep at it.”
He is a man conquering the battles of his life with gusto, something many run from. When asked to sum up life in one word he chose, “rehearsal.” Explaining his selection as “everything you experience seems to always be practice and preparation for the next thing.”
Meany knows this all too well, being raised in an eccentric Christian family. His view on religion and his upbringing is reflective in his bands last release Odd Soul. Track ‘Blood Pressure’ depicts the intensity of religion and the pressure to conform.
Meany and many members of his band walked away from the Church to avoid the peculiar mind-sets he had been born into.
“It’s like the saying goes, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. A kitchen that cooks up God as a lording old guy in the sky who sends hurricanes to punish homosexuality burns way too hot for me.”
In saying this, the rocker is still a Christian believer, “God is found in the sum of parts and ideas and not just in one singular perspective. In musical terms, God is not Paul, John, George or Ringo. God is the Beatles.”
“In musical terms, God is not Paul, John, George or Ringo. God is the Beatles.”Endeavouring to live a Christian life the best he can, Meany very proud of his Beatles analogy said, “I suppose if I’m sticking to my brilliant Beatles analogy, my life would certainly be about trying to write my ‘A Day In The Life’ or ‘Yesterday’.”
The band’s perspective on religion isn’t the only thing that’d changed.
Life has evolved for these men over the years. Mad beast of a drummer, Darren King, became a father this year welcoming his first child, Scarlett.
Practically, fatherhood had been exhausting, and Meanya admits “we’re all a bit more tired now. There is always an ongoing brew of coffee around.” Emotionally though, it’s a joyous new phase of life, “we seem to be a bit more ‘smiley’ than normal.”
The smiles continue to roll from Darren King spoiling all of @MUTEMATH followers on Twitter to bad joke Monday. “He found a book in Singapore with great bad jokes. So he normally pulls from there unless every now and then he feels the inspiration to create some.”
Some winners include: “Did you hear about the two guys who stole a calendar? They each got six months.” and “I once knew a soldier who suffered through both mustard gas and pepper spray. He was a seasoned veteran.”
These comical, fun-loving, genuine musicians will be performing at all Harvest Festivals later this year.
“Since we’ve been coming to Australia, we’ve heard a lot about Harvest Fest, so when we got the invite, it was a no brainer. We’ve fallen in love with Australia since last year, full of amazing people and coffee, which means a lot to us these days. We’ll certainly keep making the trip for as long as you’ll have us”
Don’t miss Mutemath on their return for Harvest Festival 2013. All details listed below.
Harvest 2013 Lineup
Massive Attack
Franz Ferdinand
Goldfrapp
Primus
CSS
The Drones
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
M Ward
Neutral Milk Hotel
Desaparecidos
The Eels
Superchunk
The Wallflowers
Walk Off The Earth
Harvest 2013 Dates, Tickets
Sunday November 10: Melbourne, Werribee Park
Saturday November 16: Sydney, The Domain
Sunday November 17: Brisbane, City Botanic Gardens
TICKETS ON SALE: FRIDAY JULY 12, 2013
AVAILABLE FROM
www.harvestfestival.com.au
