MTHDS interview - keeping it gatsby on the road

We had the opportunity to catch up with MTHDS from the road before their stop in Aspen at Belly Up. They play tonight and are having a Toy Drive for kids plus rocking out a killer Beastie Boys set. You should check these boys out before they drive off. Catching some pow, kicking it on the road, and a manatee's recovery all coming from this little chat.

GG: What influences your sounds?

MTHDS:

we've actually got a new track coming out called 'influences' feat Chali 2na from jurassic 5 that kinda tries to explain some of our varied influences. like most people, we're into all different types of music, but it's kinda hard to say which bands we actually resemble and which ones we just like. some of our favorites are the beastie boys,the beach boys, the allman brothers, brother ali, the dust brothers,guns n roses, peter gunz, method man, crystal method, white stripes,white zombie, pink floyd, pink, wu-tang, wang chung, lil wayne,fountains of wayne and wayne newton. so yeah, its pretty eclectic.

GG: How do you write your songs?

MTHDS:

we're pretty democratic. someone will start with a chord progression or a

melody line, maybe some pieces of a chorus and a general vibe, then we mess around with it and see what happens. we'll usually record parts on our phones to listen to the next day and see if anything's good. we always play tracks live a lot before we record'em in the studio too, cause sometimes the best ideas for song parts happen while you're in front of people.

GG: Favorite vacation spot?

MTHDS:

don't really vacation much, but cali is pretty chill. LA, san fran. nothin better than a powder day just about anywhere in co though. vail, beav, breck, keystone, a basin. anywhere our passes work is cool.

GG: Goals for 2012?

MTHDS:

get the new album out, play as many shows as possible without going broke, write new material, fix the broken van window, get a gym membership.

GG: Secrets for living on the road?

MTHDS:

plenty of napping. we got into a routine last month on the west coast we like to call 'nap,

crap and rap'. dustin likes to 'drive, drink and drum.' (in that order though. dont drink drum and drive). eating is important too. go easy on the T bell. also there's a big difference between a full and queen size bed when you're sharing it with another dude. get an air mattress.

GG: Tips for new musicians trying to make it?

MTHDS:

make music that you like not what you think other people will like. reinvest gig money into a band fund as much as possible. thank the sound man profusely. if you're lucky enough to get free booze provided by the venue, don't drink it all before the show. give your music away free as much as you.

GG: Most grimey thing you've done?

MTHDS:

hmm. we dunno if you can print it. we'll just say it was in Tijuana and a little penicillin cleared everything right up. the manatee made a full recovery too.

GG: Favorite clothing brands?

MTHDS:

anyone whos given us free gear. company of artists, icelantic, endemic, buzz's boards, grassroots. still waiting on that jnco jeans sponsorship.

***Thanks to MTHDS, Belly Up, and You the audience***