The construct of the rock ‘n’ roll duo is hardly new. But Mates of State has found a way to make it fresh-if much cuter-again. And again and again. And again.
But the keyboard-drums, wife-husband duo, like the White Stripes in their early days, don’t want to be called a novelty act, regardless of the cuteness of their music, their faces, their approach to life and harmonies and music-making. And, like the Stripes before them, the “novelty act” title would be a misnomer.
Mates of State is making some of the most artful music in today’s indie rockscape. Music fans just have to get past the initial jolt of its oddness.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Jason Hammel, the group’s singer-drummer to his wife Kori Gardner’s keyboards and vocals. “We’ve always wanted to write songs that were unique, but being so unorthodox in instrumentation means that it’s not as palatable on first listen.”
The band’s pop music is unconventional, yes, but that’s what makes it so refreshing. On first listen you might hear “Fluke,” a stupefying musical feat that shows off Hammel’s and Gardner’s shared penchant for harmonies that clash as much as they cling. Treating the band well now is “Fraud In The ’80s,” the new single off its latest, “Bring it Back,” its debut on Barsuk Records. It’s also the inspiration behind the band’s current tour opening for Death Cab For Cutie, playing Sunday and Monday at the Fillmore.
The music doesn’t sound like the tunes of any of the other media-savvy duos, be it the Stripes, The Kills or Giant Drag. A more appropriate comparison would be Volcano I’m Still Excited, a former labelmate of the band’s on Polyvinyl. Its bouncy beats, impassioned vocals and frenetic synths are essential to the Mates of State sound.
The sound is thick, engaging and distinctive, the Gnutella equivalent to power-pop’s peanut butteryness. Its roots are in Gardner’s keyboards, synths and organs; the trunk is Hammel’s arms-
flailing drums; and the meandering branches and flowering buds are their vocals, which are the most lively and unique characteristic of the band.
Sometimes they are wailing away in unison, almost always in their severe upper registers, such as toward the end of “Fraud In The ’80s” when they cry, “You could surely try to be more alive!” But mostly they experiment with harmonies and holds, never overdoing it but taking it to the extremes nonetheless.
It helps, too, that Hammel’s and Gardner’s voices, especially in their shared vocal ranges, are very similar. Sometimes, on record or on stage, it takes a close listen to discern who’s where – and while that only adds to the how-cute aspect of Mates of State, they’re used to all the fawning.
“It’s a fairly unique situation,” Hammel said, “married people in bands together. And it’s happening a lot more, but the fact that we’re married has always been a focus in the media and a big focus of the band in general. We don’t intend it to be, but it’s a fact that we shouldn’t deny.”
The birth of their child, Magnolia, two years ago just notched up the cute factor. Fan boards and blogs lit up with the news of Gardner’s pregnancy, which was obvious when Mates of State opened for The Strokes in 2004. Now Hammel’s father jokes that Magnolia traveled more in the first few months of her life than he ever has – and given that she’s already been to Europe and back, as well as all over the United States, she likely has most of the rest of us beat1 too.
But listening to the new “Bring it Back” – or even looking at its cover art, a sexy shot of Gardner and Hammel in a half-embrace – you wouldn’t know this was the CD they released after the birth of their first child.
“We were very conscious not to make a ‘baby’ record,” Hammel said. “But at the same time, all the songs are about personal experiences, so it’s impossible for her not to be in there. … But now we’re approaching broader life issues.”
A child will do that to you. And if you’re a touring musician – which the two Mates of State are, voraciously so – a baby will also change your touring schedule dramatically.
“The schedule is a lot more rigid,” he continued. “We want to keep her on her normal schedule, as much as she can be. So sleeping and keeping her healthy are important. We used to have a ton of downtime on tour, but now it’s time to get in the van, because we want to drive during Magnolia’s afternoon nap. And then we’ll soundcheck and then get her food and put her to bed before we play.”
Pop music critic Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.
Mates of State
INDIE POP|Fillmore Auditorium, 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday with Death Cab For Cutie| SOLD OUT, SUNDAY; $26-$28, MONDAY|ticketmaster.com, 303-830-8497
7more
EARLY MAN These guys are indie metal at its finest, and they’ll bring it Saturday to the Marquis.
X These L.A. punk icons are still at it, and Saturday at the Ogden will be one big, sweaty love-in. (Sweaty especially; the Ogden has been a sauna lately.)
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Ben Gibbard & Co. are playing two shows, Sunday and Monday, at the Fillmore this week.
RICHMOND FONTAINE The lush, haunting folk music supports the storytelling, which will be central to the band’s Tuesday show at the Larimer Lounge.
BILLY IDOL The age-defying legend is still around, fist in the air and lip curled. See for yourself Wednesday at the Ogden.
WU-TANG CLAN The lore is hard and heavy with these hip-hop icons, who will rock the Fillmore on Wednesday.
THE CASTANETS These kids, who record on Sufjan Stevens’ label, make indie rock so sweet it’s edible. They’ll play Thursday at the Hi-Dive.
– Ricardo Baca
