Picking up the Broken Pieces
When the innovative but perhaps-too-unique band Earthsuit failed, Paul Meany did some real soul-searching, wondering what to do next. The answer: Mute Math.
by Andy Argyrakis | posted 11/29/2004
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Rarely has the buzz behind a new band been as strong as that surrounding Mute Math, an eclectic alternative rock trio from New Orleans. (Think The Police and U2 with experimental programming.) The group made its debut in Nashville during GMA week 2004 and recently jumped on tour with the David Crowder Band and Shawn McDonald. Whether seeing them live or hearing their debut EP Reset, one's likely to experience the energy and excitement of Paul Meany (vocals, bass) Darren King (drums, samples) and Greg Hill (guitar). You might even note some sonic similarity to Earthsuit, a Christian group which had a hit single a few years ago with "One Time." And no wonder: Meany co-fronted Earthsuit, which occasionally featured King and Hill. Earthsuit is no longer with us, and now all three seek a new identity with Mute Math. Meany told us why Earthsuit didn't work in the first place, how he picked up the pieces for this new endeavor and what makes the new music tick.
Paul Meany (center) with Greg Hill (left) and Darren King add up to Mute Math.
What's the meaning behind the band's name?
Paul Meany As I was writing new songs, I was beginning to change perspectives. I began to write these songs not out of trying to figure out more, but trusting more and letting go. I allowed myself to finally realize that everything in life doesn't have to have a finite formula or explanation. What we experience in life and how it affects us goes beyond mathematical boundaries. The sooner we can accept our uncertainties, the more certain and hopeful our future seems to become.
There was so much industry buzz on you for so long, it's probably nice to finally have a record out!
Meany It feels good, but we still have an incomplete feeling because we still have to do a whole record. It's great to have something to just start building off of and give us material to work through in concert.
Mute Math sounds different than most things out right now. Was that a goal?
Meany It was intentional to sound different. We wanted to do that ever since Earthsuit was trying to push the creative boundary. We were hoping people would've responded to it more back then, but thus far the whole Mute Math response has been great.
Do you ever worry radio won't accept the group?
Meany I don't know how to write a radio song and I'm not sure I should learn how to either. I feel like that's part of the gift that we have as Mute Math—inherently our approach is just to make music without that in mind. Now I genuinely hope our songs can get on radio and I hope listeners do take to it. If it does, it will show something's changing and something's developing and we want to contribute to that. We don't just want to put out what's already come out. Sure, we run the risk of not being invited to the party, but you've got to stay true to your heart and the music.
Why didn't that artistic approach work in Earthsuit?
Meany I don't know for sure, but it seems like Mute Math is translating more than Earthsuit and people are sinking their teeth into it. I guess that comes with more maturity from our point of view and our personal growth since then. One of the things that hurt Earthsuit from the beginning was the content. It was a bit abstract for most people and you kind of run that risk when you have two songwriters who are both lyricists that take on different ideas within a song. It can seem cryptic, which I think people saw in a lot of the Earthsuit songs, and we suffered as a result. I still love what we were and I think it was a great artistic exercise, but if I had to guess, a lot of things flew over people's heads.
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