after a disappointing sophomore album and losing a key band member, the new orleans band finally t e l l s t h e sto ry they’ve never b e e n r e a d y to share BY KEVIN SELDERS JEREMY SNELL
The first thing you notice upon entering The Columns Hotel in New Orleans—even before your feet make its historical wooden floor creak—is the buzz of conversation in the air. The main floor of the dimly lit getaway, built in 1883 by a wealthy tobacco salesman, is alive with people sitting at tables, murmuring and laughing quietly. The clinking of cutlery and glassware mixes with the soft evening sun filtering through the windows—in short, it’s a place created to host a long talk. In a quieter, nearly empty room by the hotel’s entrance, the four members of MUTEMATH prepare to eat a late dinner and have a conversation of their own—one they’ve put off for too long. It’s been a long day for the band. They’ve done photo shoots, given impromptu performances and have taken RELEVANT all over the Big Easy to visit the important sites: historical buildings, a cramped basement full of musical equipment and a childhood church, complete with cartoon murals of Samson in the Sunday School room. Now the band—including new guitarist Todd Gummerman—sits behind two tables with their backs to a large window, finally ready to talk about their RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM / 53