The Music Mastermind

Interview with Mute Math
3.26.2008

Mute Math
By Logan Lenz

(As published in Rag Magazine, 2007)

Don't be ashamed if you have never heard of Mute Math; not a lot of people have. Slowly but surely, however, the band has begun turning heads and earning fans after their album debuted at 17 on Billboard's "Top Heatseekers" chart. The band's eclectic blend of musical genres has enabled the group to headline their own theater tour in the fall. Known for their vibrant and sometimes dangerous live performances, Mute Math only has room to grow. Paul Meany, the band's founder and vocalist spoke exclusively with RAG Magazine on his band and their rapid rise to stardom.

In your own words, how would you describe Mute Math's music?

Meany: I would describe it as good music. That's the only kind that I was interested in making when we started. If there is a category that we would fall into, it would have to be that one.

What is the meaning behind the name Mute Math?

Meany: There is no meaning. It was our drummer's email address. If it meant anything, it simply meant that we didn't have to continue looking for a name, which we had arduously done for months and months.

How did you guys end up teaming up with an act such as Eisley for the current tour?

Meany: We met Eisley a while ago. They are a bunch of sweethearts that make sweet music. We played a Christmas party for Warner Bros and we were horrible. We just botched it! It was one of those shows where we finished and nobody would talk to us or even look at us. Eisley happened to be there and they were the only ones that came to talk to us. They pretty much nursed us back to health. We've been friends ever since.

Mute Math offer a myriad of different elements in their music. Did you guys set out to make something different and unique when you formed or is that something that just happened over time?

Meany: All we wanted to do was create something that we would be excited about. Mute Math really started out as a side project. We always just tried to keep everything simple, while trying to steer clear of any particular musical category.

Who influences Mute Math's music?

Meany: All of the greats: Barry Manilow, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Michael Bolton – you can just go through the lineage.

What's your favorite track off of the album?

Meany: It varies from day to day. Today, I'm in a "Stare at the Sun" mood.

You guys were very wise in your decision to release your albums independently through your own label Teleprompt Records. How did the partnership with Warner Bros actually work? Did they pursue you or is that something you planned on doing anyhow?

Meany: Honestly, we really didn't know. Ted from Teleprompt had a lot of friends involved with the bigger labels. His dream was to have his own imprint label that would eventually upstream to Warner Bros. At the same time, Darren and I started making music together. That model was very attractive to us and it worked out rather well.

I hear you guys have been working on some material for a new album. What can you say about that and what can everyone expect?

Meany: Everyone can expect that it will be a better record than the first. We won't release it if it's not. We have been working with a lot of cryptic ideas during soundchecks and our occasional free time. From the few songs we have written, I am pretty exhilarated just thinking about the next record.

For anyone that did not witness it, explain how Mute Math became the first band to play backwards on television.

Meany: That would be a confusing statement to me too. We filmed the music video for the song "Typical" in reverse. It's not an original idea by any means, but we did it as a performance. Everyone learned their parts backwards. It was a blast! Someone at Warner Bros recommended doing the same thing on live television. So, all we did was recreate our video on TV for Jimmy Kimmel's show. It was extremely awkward and confusing for everyone in the audience, but when they aired it, they flipped it and the end result was a visual festival.

How did the Transformers gig come about? What was it like writing the theme song for such a blockbuster film?

Meany: Going back in time to an eight-year old Paul Meany, it was hoped that one day he would get to sing the Transformers theme song on its soundtrack. I was obsessed with Transformers. Warner Bros called us and told us they were doing the soundtrack. They didn't have anybody doing the theme song and they asked us if we would be interested in taking a stab at it. Of course, we obliged. It was a real pleasure.

Is there one moment or period of major accomplishment that stands out to you?

Meany: There has been a few. Doing our first headlining tour was a big one. Just seeing people show up to watch you perform was a stellar collection of moments. Another one would have to be playing David Letterman. All of us have a huge respect for that show.

What about all of the new music out there? Are there any newer bands that stand out to you?

Meany: Shiny Toy Guns and The Cinematics - both great bands.

What is to come for the future of Mute Math?

Meany: All I see in the future is a lot of shows. Hopefully, we will be able to record our next record at some point early next year.

Posted byLogan Lenz at 17:27 0 comments  

Labels: Interview, Mute Math, Rag Magazine

Interview with Tegan & Sara
3.05.2008

By Logan Lenz

(As published in Rag Magazine)

For these two Canadian identical twin sisters, music has always been the only option. Since 1995, the two siblings have become one of the most unique and beloved independent acts in North America. This year not only birthed the group’s fifth full length record, The Con, but also will spawn a major fall/winter tour; the duo’s grandest to date. RAG spoke exclusively with Tegan Quin, one half of the creative brilliance behind Tegan and Sara.

For anyone unfamiliar, how would you describe Tegan and Sara?

Quin: I don’t know. I typically don’t describe our music. When I meet people at random parties or something and they ask me what I do, I tell them I have a band. When they ask me what it sounds like, I just tell them to check out our mySpace page. So, I don’t know if I am getting lazy or if I just don’t know how to describe us.

Aside from your early cassette releases, Tegan and Sara have released five CDs; the first of which, Under Feet Like Ours, was originally released uunder the name Sara and Tegan. I have heard that the CD has become a hot commodity. How can a fan obtain a copy?

Quin: We negotiated with our record label for us to be able to sell it live. I saw online that our fans were buying it for a couple hundred dollars, and I thought that that was pretty unfair. We started manufacturing it again so now you can buy it straight from us at one of our shows.

Why switch the band name after you had already released an album?

Quin: When you say “Sara and Tegan,” it sort of all blends together. But, when you say “Tegan and Sara,” you have to annunciate everything.

What is your favorite track off of the latest record, The Con?

Quin: To play live, I love “Are You Ten Years Ago” because it’s such a massive beast. It took us a while to figure out how to play it live, but we have managed to make it even bigger than the recording of it.

The Con was produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie. How was it working with him?

Quin: Chris was great. He really wanted to “create an arch” and make a record that is worth listening to from start to finish. He loves to sequence records so that everything fits and you know what is coming next. He had this meticulous nature that I easily responded to.

Who are some of your main influences?

Quin: We listen to all sorts of stuff. Growing up, we listened to the 70’s and 80’s classics like Bruce Springsteen, U2, The Police, and the Pretenders. In our teens, we got more into punk and alternative music. Now, however, it’s a combination of all of that stuff. I like a lot of electronic music. I think we infuse a lot of different styles into our music and it comes out as a pop fusion.

How did you end up pairing up with Northern State for the tour?

Quin: I met Northern State a few years ago. I knew a little bit about their music. We met up with them in New York and just thought they were so cool, so hilarious, and talented. Coincidentally, they were working on their latest album while we were in the studio doing The Con. Their record turned out perfect and I thought it was in-line with a lot of the subjects we were talking about. I told them to hurry up and get a record deal so that we could take them out on tour with us. They got the deal and it happened.

I have read that you and Sara live in different cities and that you do not get along all of the time on the road. Is it just sibling rivalry or do you guys really get sick of each other often?

Quin: Sara and I actually get along pretty well. I think people project their own ideas about being on the road with their siblings and they are horrified by it. When you spend as much time as we do together, you will have arguments. But the same goes for anyone in the band, not just Sara.

I heard about a side project with Hunter Burgan of AFI. Can you give us any insight into this?

Quin: We have been writing together for the last year and a half. I don’t know what is ever going to happen with that. He was touring while I was off, and now I am touring while he is off. We are both very creative and into a lot of the same styles of music, so we started writing material and sending everything to each other. I don’t know when if and when it will surface, but I hope it will eventually. It’s good stuff. I wouldn’t want it to disappear completely.

At only 27 years old, you have released a great deal of music. What do you still hope to accomplish, that you may haven’t had a chance to yet, at some point down the road?

Quin: Having a side project was always something I wanted to do, and I am getting to do that right now. I look forward to exploring that further. I think that we are getting to the age where we don’t need to tour all of the time. I don’t want to be a superstar that is selling millions of records. Because of that, I think there will be longer spaces in between our records. I don’t want to just pump out music just to make more money.

What is to come for the future of Tegan and Sara after this tour ends?

Quin: We’re definitely going to tour a lot on this record and then take a break. We’re hitting Australia in December, Europe in February and March, and back to the States in the spring. We also have a new video coming out for “The Con” in a couple weeks.

Posted byLogan Lenz at 16:22 1 comments  

Labels: Interview, Rag Magazine, Tegan and Sara, The Con

Godsmack Interview
3.03.2008

After years of sitting atop the throne of the alternative rock world, Godsmack will return in April with a new album entitled “IV.” The band not only promises one of the best albums they’ve ever made, but they also slate this time around as being “only the beginning” of their already lengthy career. I, fortunately had the chance to speak with Godsmack heavy-hitting drummer, Shannon Larkin, who went on telling me about the art of rock drumming, the band’s upcoming album, future touring plans, and what exactly the name “Godsmack” really means.

Entertainment World Exclusive
Interview with Shannon Larkin of Godsmack

By Logan Lenz

Entertainment World: First of all, I would like to thank you in advance for this interview and pay my respects to you and your career thus far. Being a drummer myself, I can’t begin the interview without stating how much of an influence you are to the drumming world.

Shannon Larkin: Wow! Thank you very much! I just like to hit ‘em!

Entertainment World: Being such a great and well-known drummer in the metal world you have found yourself playing for many accomplishing names in the field before ending up in Godsmack. How has the overall experience been as a member of Godsmack?

Shannon Larkin: Great! It was sort of weird for me at first. Not a lot of people know that Sully was the drummer for Godsmack on the first two records. Sully is Godsmack. He writes every song and every lick. So, I thought I was coming in to a situation where I would have no freedom. But, it’s really been a pleasure. The album “Faceless” had pre-written drum parts that Sully wrote, but the new album “IV” is finally the time where Sully was confident enough to allow me to come up with my own drum parts.

Entertainment World: How sick is Sully’s drumming? Honestly?

Shannon Larkin: Really rad! He actually played for a speed metal band called Meliah Rage prior to Godsmack. I believe they put something out on Epic Records. It’s funny because Sully and I will play to some speed metal tracks and look at each other and just shake our heads. It’s just so crazy! It wasn’t until after that band, when Sully realizes he needed to step out front and be the frontman of his own band. He wanted the control and wanted to be able to write his own songs. That’s why he formed Godsmack.

Entertainment World: So, Godsmack has a new album coming out on April 25th called “IV.” Tell me a little about what the fans can expect from this album and how it compares with your previous releases.

Shannon Larkin: Our fans can expect the same tough Godsmack sound. There are some really heavy songs like what were on the first record. And there’s also an acoustic song called “Hollow” for all of the fans of our acoustic record “The Other Side.” The heavier stuff on this album just sounds more epic. This time around Tony, Robbie, and myself had freedom enough to write complete songs on our own which ultimately makes this album have different sounding songs.

Entertainment World: I can’t help but notice that a new song on the new album is titled “Voodoo Too.” Is this a continuation of the original “Voodoo” song or is it just a clever title to a song with a similar feel to it?

Shannon Larkin: It’s just a similar feel. I wrote the song with a bass guitar and a drum beat. I thought about how the original song “Voodoo” was really cool when I first learned it after joining the band. I tried to repeat somewhat of the same feel to form a newer version of a great song. We actually think it’s just as good, if not better than “Voodoo.”

Entertainment World: The question is often asked, “What do those guys mean by the name ‘Godsmack?’ What exactly does the name mean and how did the founding members come up with it?

Shannon Larkin: It’s the name of an Alice in Chains song. The name eventually took on a meaning of its own, though. One day, the original drummer Joe, showed up to a photo shoot with a cold sore on his lip. Sully and the guys were all making fun of him. Then about a week later, Sully showed up with one on his face. So, it was then that they realized that ‘God’ had ‘smacked’ him in the face for making fun of Joe. It’s sort of like a karma thing.

Entertainment World: Has any religious groups ever protested or expressed any displeasure regarding the band’s name?

Shannon Larkin: No. I haven’t seen anything yet.

Entertainment World: What is your favorite Godsmack song to play live?

Shannon Larkin: “Straight out of Line” is definitely up there on the list. I love the drumbeat and the verses. Off of the new record, I’d have to say “Livin’ in Sin.” “One Rainy Day” is great too. It’s got a bluesy feel to it. I think that’s what I’m going to be doing when I’m sixty years old and retired. I’ll be jamming out and playing the blues.

Entertainment World: What can we expect to see from you guys in the near future other than the release of your new album, IV, on April 25th? I’m expecting a huge arena tour, right? What can we expect from that?

Shannon Larkin: We’re leaving America to tour Canada, Japan, South America, Mexico, and Australia. We won’t be back until late August. Then we’ll hit America hard. We don’t know what type of venue we will be playing yet because of the crash of the music industry. It’s harder to sell records these days. But, wherever we play, we will certainly bring a show. We’ll bring the pyro, extra percussionists, and dancers if we need them. We will bring the shit! But, it all depends on how well the record does.

Hot Seat:

Entertainment World: Favorite movie?
Shannon Larkin: Evil Dead 2

Entertainment World: Favorite actor or actress?
Shannon Larkin: Bruce Campbell

Entertainment World: CD you cant live without?
Shannon Larkin: Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

Entertainment World: Best video game platform?
Shannon Larkin: PS2 – Soul Caliber 3

Entertainment World: Ipod or actual CD?
Shannon Larkin: I love both of them too much!

Entertainment World: Favorite type of TV show (sitcom, drama, reality, home make over, etc)?
Shannon Larkin: NFL football

Entertainment World: Celebrity you'd like to be caught in tabloids with?
Shannon Larkin: Angelina Jolie

Entertainment World: Location of biggest portion of your fans?
Shannon Larkin: Boston, MA

Posted byLogan Lenz at 07:56 0 comments  

Labels: Entertainment World, Godsmack Interview, IV, Shannon Larkin