100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Thirty-Six: Math and Physics Club

instigated by dave heaton

One of the most promising newer indie-pop groups around is Seattle's Math and Physics Club, whose two EPs on Matinee (Weekends Away and Movie Ending Romance) contain concise, perfectly crafted, tuneful expressions of heartbreak that you will find yourself singing for days, weeks, months after you hear them. Visit their website and MySpace, and Matinee, for songs and information.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Ethan: We're working on our first album now, and each member of the band has contributed some really creative ideas and good work to the recording. It's been exciting to be a part of that. Also, I just got a computer and I've been writing songs like a madman. But so far I've pretty much just used it like I did my four track. But on the computer I can keep all my duff takes until I get one I like!

Charles: Yeah, I've really enjoyed recording this record. I think it's mostly because we're working with an engineer this time instead of trying to do everything ourselves, which can be really stressful. I love hanging around the studio listening to playbacks and stuff, like a real rock 'n' roller.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

Charles: It seems like more music writers these days are crossing the line between being critical and being mean-spirited. It has become chic to write reviews with more emphasis on sounding clever while you shoot down a band than on providing something useful to the reader. With all the great music people could be focusing on, it's a bummer to read so many negative reviews about bands that I love, or my friends' bands, or my own band!

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

Charles: We're nearly finished with our first full-length, which will come out this fall. We're also getting excited to play the New England Popfest in October. It will be our first trip to the East Coast.

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

Charles: We did a live set from a high school computer lab last year. It was for the school's student-run radio station, which was really cool. My high school never had a radio station! There was a lot of duct tape and cheap microphones involved, but those kids actually made it sound pretty good.

Ethan: One of my favorite demos that was recorded for the new album was recorded in Charles' basement using just one microphone. We recorded it as a snapshot , so we could remember the arrangement, but it actually sounds really good. Later, I tried to recreate the bass sound, but I never could get it to sound as good as it did in Charles' basement.

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

Saundrah: I think we are fortunate to live in a city that is so rich in music and supportive of a huge, active local scene. I am constantly exposed to new music and can find opportunities to record and play violin with a variety of musical genres. I feel the variety of style makes me a better musician.

Charles: The Northwest has a strong independent art scene, and that definitely makes an impact. You realize you don't have to be a big rock star to be in a band, and that art doesn't have to be hanging on a gallery wall to be great. It's really empowering. I was in college when I first picked up a guitar, and it was because we'd go out and see these great local bands at makeshift venues and be like, "I wanna do that!"

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

Charles: Well, I rarely start and finish a song within a short time frame. I've usually got a handful in various stages of completion. I'm actually working on lyrics right now for some music I've had sitting around for a couple years. It's called "Everybody Loves a Show Tune."

Ethan: I've been trying to write in the style of different performers that I admire, just as an exercise. Right now I've got about five songs inspired by the Style Council. They're just about ready to show.

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

Charles: Definitely more interested. I remember hearing Jens Leckman last year for the first time and how it made me want to go pick up my guitar and start playing. I think hearing other people do something really great makes you want to try to create something that might inspire someone else in the same way.

Ethan: I'm as voracious as ever, but I've found that my focus has changed quite a bit since MAPC has been making music. I'm always casting around for ideas and when I see or hear other musicians doing something interesting, I take note of it in a different way than I used to

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

Ethan: I've always been a fan of singles. When I worked at a record store in Olympia, Sunday mornings were slow, so my co-worker Michelle and I would take turns picking out used seven inches to spin, and we'd dance behind the counter. I like the restrictions of the seven inch format. You've got just one song on a side, so you have to get your point across quickly and make it interesting. None of this wandering, aimless "album track" business. The songs have to stand on their own. So the music I like tends to be shaped by that.

Charles: I have to add that Ethan's knowledge of popular music borders on encyclopedic! It's almost impossible to slip a reference to some obscure band past him. As for me, I love almost anything with a good melody. I make a lot of mixes from free stuff I find on the internet, which is a great way to find out about new bands. In the car I'm a bit lazy, so instead of changing cds I'll just turn on the radio and flip through the stations until I find something I want to listen to. The other day I heard Pat Benatar "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" back-to-back with Van Halen "Jump." That was gold! But I often keep it on the oldies station which plays a lot of Motown, Beatles, bubblegum, etc. Sunday mornings are reserved for Frank…and pancakes.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

Charles: I've always thought The Housemartins were incredibly underappreciated. If I was forced to choose one song, I suppose I'd go with "Me and the Farmer"…or maybe "Happy Hour"…actually the entire London 0 Hull 4 record is great!

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

Saundrah: 'Trouble' by Cat Stevens. Its sadness is intensified when you hear it sung by the late Elliott Smith.

Charles: "Our Town" by Iris Dement always breaks my heart. It's a combination of the sentiment and her voice. It's just a beautiful song.

Ethan: Just about anything from off of Oasis's last few albums. Now that's sad! It's like the Archies forgot they were cartoons.

Charles: Are you looking for a slap?

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.