MUTEMATH goes outside the 'typical'

Voodoo 2009

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By Charles Nunmaker

Some bands must be seen live to be truly appreciated. With a reputation for being one of the best bands to see live, the New Orleans based band MUTEMATH is one performance at this year's Voodoo Fest that cannot be missed.

MUTEMATH was declared by Alternative Press to be the "#1 band to see live before you die." That is a pretty big title to bear, but MUTEMATH is one band that can actually live up to the title through its high-energy, explosive performances. From piano headstands to the whole band taking apart the drum set and using it for an improvisational drum solo to the infamous Atari - a unique synthesizer that features a sound bit card from an Atari entertainment console - MUTEMATH does just about anything on stage.

Paul Meany, the lead singer and keytar/keyboard player of the band, tried to describe what the band's performances are like:

"There is a sweaty blur kind of feeling that goes on in the show where we really don't know what's going on as it's going on," said Meany. "In the moment, we're usually pretty lost and unaware. That's good and I like that. It's like a trip, a sub-conscious trip."

MUTEMATH started as a collaboration between Meany and drummer Darren King. Together they added guitarist Greg Hill and bassist Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas and then released their first EP in 2004.

"We went into this band really trying to extract ourselves from the obligation category or drama of those things that condition used to confront, as opposed to just playing what naturally your influences have collected in you," said Meany. "Then you just let that out and see what happens. You see what your own voice sounds like, and what all that results into. This band has sort of been an experiment to keep that as a priority."

MUTEMATH released its debut, self-titled album in 2006. The album established the band's music style as an ambiguous blur between different musical genres like rock, pop, and even jazz.

MUTEMATH's song "Typical" really brought the band into popularity, and even the song's music video earned the band a Grammy nomination because it was shot backwards.

Even though MUTEMATH recorded and released their newest album Armistice this year, the group reached a point where they almost called it quits. Fortunately, they brought on producer Dennis Herring, who told the band to forget everything they had done and write new songs.

The result is one of the band's best works with songs that combine new and different musical elements, including string sections, blended synths, insane drumming, and soaring vocal melodies.

This show will mark the third time the band has played at Voodoo Fest, but the show will also be different, especially for singer Paul Meany.

"The best thing to me at Voodoo Fest used to be the chance I had where I would get to open up the stage to my grandpa, the Papa G, which was becoming a tradition," said Meany. "Sadly, Papa G passed away during the making of this last record, so this will be the first Voodoo Fest where we don't have Papa G. But, we definitely hope to keep his spirit and his memory alive, and we dedicated this record to him."

MUTEMATH will be performing at Voodoo Fest in New Orleans at 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Le Ritual on the Voodoo Stage.

Originally Published: Issue 821 - October 28, 2009

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