Mute Math
Mute Math, from new Orleans, LA, released its debut self-titled full-length album on September 26, 2006, via a joint venture between the band's indie label, Teleprompt, and major label Warner Bros.
Mute Math originated in 2001 as a long distance collaboration between Paul Meany in New Orleans, LA, and Darren King in Springfield, MO - growing from a sort of songwriting ping-pong match over several months to a possible project and, eventually, the core of what became Mute Math.
Working from their New Orleans home studio, Meany and King began exploring a new definition for themselves on how a rock band should sound and perform. Finding inspiration in everything that's considered the opposite of rock music, they sought a unique template in which to place their songs. The result was a captivating soundscape of experimental rock.
With the demo completed, Meany asked manager Kevin Kookogey to play it for friend and producer Tedd T, founder of the indie label Teleprompt. Tjornhorn fell in love at first listen. Soon thereafter Mute Math signed with Teleprompt and began building a musical momentum, releasing their debut EP Reset in September of 2004. With the addition of guitarist Greg Hill and bassist Roy Mitchell-Cardenas, Mute Math headlined its first national club tour the following Spring.
Fueled by a strong "do-it-yourself" ethic, Teleprompt and Mute Math began an internet blitzing campaign through MySpace and similar portals, instantaneously linking fans from all over the world to the band's engaging live performances. Word of mouth spread, and teh band were soon selling out dates in markets as geographically diverse as Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix Seattle and Orlando, among others. The band continued to develop, honing their chops from the improvisational spirit that chronicled its touring and live shows through regular video blogs, which contributed to the mass accumulation of "friends" on their MySpace page.
The 13 tracks that made up the initial version (now a collector's item) of Mute Math's debut full-length self-titled album were recorded throughout 2005, but due to circumstances beyond their control, Mute Math decided to forgo the traditional retail route, taking the new record to where it counted most--to the fans at the live shows. What seemed to be a risky proposition proved to be an extremely wise decision. In January 2006, Mute Math embarked on what was initially a 45-city tour, using the tour as a means to sell the record exclusively. Dubbed the "Mute Math Album Release tour," the band found themselves not only selling out numerous shows, but began moving a critical mass of albums from their table, sometimes 200 CDs a night. Teleprompt continued working the internet fan base around the clock, the press followed, and fans, both new and old, began flocking en masse to see the band perform live. Mute Math's debut national television appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in February 2006 put the band on the map to stay.
As for their music, the Mute Math dynamic can be viewed in parts. At its core, Mute Math is an inspired electro-alt rock band with a soaring sound that incorporates emotive vocals, hip hop styled beats, dubby soundscapes fueled by sample-like guitars and Rhodes piano flourishes, keytars, a homemade instrument (a Theremin-inspired guitar) and other random gadgets. The other is a finely tuned live act, with a highly infectious and equally energetic show, accented by occasional acrobatics, experimental jams, knob twiddling and bouts of instrumental switcheroo.
The band, which recently completed a spring headlining tour of the U.S. and a well-received European tour, have built a reputation as a dynamic live band, wowing crowds on such festivals as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, V Festival, VooDoo Music Experience, the Canadian Music Festival in Toronto and the CMJ New Music Festival with their no-hold barred shows. As Spin put it in the magazine's four-star review of the band's hook-laden self-titled major label debut: "It's hard to capture on record how ecstatic the band's sweaty live shows feel." Alternative Press magazine recently named Mute Math the "#1 Band You Need To See Live Before You Die," on their list of 22 favorite performing bands.
Aside from non-stop touring, Mute Math recently contributed an electronic remake of the original Transformers theme to the soundtrack of the smash hit film Transformers, released an exclusive live DVD entitled Flesh And Bones Electric Fun, nabbed MTV's coveted "You Hear It First", appeared on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel Live, And The Late Show With David Letterman, and released two singles, "Chaos" and "Typical," the latter of which is currently climbing the Modern Rock charts thanks to its eye-catching video in which the band were filmed entirely in reverse.
Electro alt-rockers Mute Math will launch their biggest tour ever--a three-month headlining jaunt through the U.S. and Canada--beginning September 4th in Boston with special guest Eisley. Tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster and the usual outlets on August 6th.