Jammerzine Exclusive: An Interview with The Mutineers

Today we have an interview with living proof that true #indie Roots-Rock is here to stay. I’m talking about The Mutineers. Comprised of the dynamic and musically electrifying duo comprised of Brian Mathusek on guitar and Merry Young on drums, The Mutineers have truly found their niche and sound on the road while also successfully transcribing that very sound within the confines of the studio.

Today we talk to Brian about the roots of the rootsiness of The Mutineers, life on the road, and what the future holds. This is truly a band that must be listened to and not merely ‘heard’.

Check out our First Listen feature on The Mutineers’ single ‘Couldn’t Get Over You’ HERE.

About The Mutineers
Ahead of releasing their new five-track ‘Threshold’ EP and launching a busy 2018 national tour schedule, The Mutineers present the first single from this EP. ‘Couldn’t Get Over You’, a pleasantly wistful offering guided by a longing feeling and lulling melodic line.

A bit earlier, they unveiled the new video for ‘Drug For That’, filmed and directed by California-based photographer and visual artist Clovis IV. The track, previously released on ‘Live At B-Side’, will be offered as a bonus track on a special Bandcamp edition of the EP.

Based in Portland, Oregon, The Mutineers are a rock n roll husband-wife duo with country leanings and punk rock tendencies. With Brian Mathusek on guitar and Merry Young on drums, the couple shares vocal duties. Sounding like a cross between Johnny and June with John Doe and Exene, and a bit of Nick Cave and PJ Harvey, their sound esthetic is influenced by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, X, Nick Cave, Loretta Lynn, and Elvis Presley.

“This was written specifically for Merry’s voice. I wrote the first draft of lyrics and she sculpted it to fit her style. Her world-weary delivery is the perfect backdrop to the story. The song contemplates the dual feelings of helplessness and power inside a co-dependent relationship,” says Brian Mathusek.

“The singer is struggling with self-confidence and self-consciousness. She cannot decide if she has been too open or not open enough. I think everyone has someone in their life that they can’t stand, but also can’t live without, whether it’s a lover or a family member or a friend. Knowing when to cut someone off is very difficult. By the end of our song, the narrator has given up and given in to this cycle of love and hate, another lost soul.”

@TheMutineers [rotatingtweets screen_name=’TheMutineers’]

Co-produced alongside Raymond Richards (The Parson Red Heads) at B-Side Recording Studio in Portland, this is the band’s third EP and fifth significant release. Originally founded by Brian Mathusek and Michael Astudillo in 2007 and joined by Merry Young soon afterward, The Mutineers debuted with their ‘Tidal Wave’ EP in 2008, followed by the ‘Nihilisteria’ EP (2009) and ‘From the Dirge to the Dance’ LP (2011). The new fully-arranged recordings diverge from the duo’s previous release ‘Live at B-Side’ (2016), which was recorded without any overdubs.

With this latest effort, The Mutineers have begun a new chapter, collaborating more closely in their songwriting process. Their latest songs feature characters who are flawed, stubborn and struggling with their demons. They wander confused, obsessed, addicted and envious, through the microcosms of Threshold in search of happiness, understanding, and love.

The Mutineers will be touring nationally through the fall. In the past two years, they have given over 120 performances in 30 states. They have shared the stage with such notable artists as The Tallest Man on Earth, Langhorne Slim, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Larry, and His Flask, The Devil Makes Three, The White Buffalo, and Murder by Death. When not touring, the couple runs a graphic design and screen printing business, Mutiny Studios.

In collaboration with Clovis IV, a visual storyteller, The Mutineers have continued exploring the visuals associated with their song themes, helping express their music, in still images and now on a music video. Clovis started working in the visual arts in the early 90’s. Connected to the worlds of music and media, he has continued to express the stories of artists & individuals in still and moving images. Be it as a photographer or designer, Clovis has worked with many artists, including New Model Army, Thievery Corporation, Faith and the Muse, Concrete Blonde and Flesh For Lulu.

In support of this new release, The Mutineers will be heading out on their extensive U.S. tour, which kicked off on September 13. Dates are below.

SOURCE: Official Bio

LINKS:
http://www.themutineersmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/mutineersmusic
https://twitter.com/TheMutineers
http://mutineersmusic.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/themutineers