Quiet Color

by chris carpenter

Mother Mother has floated on and off the indie radar since the band’s inception in 2005. They quickly garnered national attention through some major gigs and high level press in their home city of Vancouver, leading the group to sign a four album deal with Last Gang Records in 2007. Their re-released debut album Touch Up was well received by critics and was shouted out by the annoyingly popular Perez Hilton. The quintet is still touring for their second release Oh My Heart and recently announced some fall dates with Mathew Good. They’re a headlining talent that combines strong composition with catchy melodies. QC recently tracked down front man Ryan Guldemond for a quick Q&A.

Artist: Mother Mother Song: Oh My Heart

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Quiet Color: The first time I listened  to the song “O My Heart” I think I put it on repeat 20 times in a row.  What’s the secret to making a song so damn addictive?

Ryan Guldemond: Melody and rhythm most of all, I guess. The arch and contour of the song are important too; the formula; how the energy flows. The minor fall and major lift. That sort of thing. But mostly, the melody… for myself anyhow.

QC: I love the variation of  styles you have, “Love and Truth” from Touch up is a  wonderful jazzy nightclub tune, where “Hayloft” from O My Heart is full of rock.  Do you have an eclectic music taste, or do you just love changing things up a bit?

RG: We do like many different forms of music, but stylistic diversity is not really what we try for. It’s just notes and rhythm, words and rhymes, dressed in different outfits. More often than not, it’s the instrumentation that defines the genre, not the music itself. “Hayloft” would probably make a nice piano piece.

QC: Coincidentally, I think there is a disparity between your first studio recording Touch Up and O My Heart.  Talk about the difference in processes.

RG: Touch Up was made in an attic with very little money and O My Heart was a product of greater resources, using bigger studios, more instrumentation, more time, so that explains much of their sonic differences. Touch Up being stripped down and lo fi, while O My Heart being lush and polished. Stylistically, OMH was more reigned in and cohesive, which was a reaction to Touch Up’s erratic musical patterns. Emotionally, O My Heart imbues more seriousness and darkness which was a reaction to Touch Up’s unabashed playfulness and tongue in cheekness.

QC: How do you come up with such beautiful harmonies?  Is there sort of a MD (music director) strategically layering the vocal parts or do you just feel out what works, and where different parts are needed?

RG: There’s the lead melody and then there’s about a million ways to dress it up with other harmonies. We usually try about fifty thousand of them before settling on the final parts. Being that i write the songs, I naturally fall into the role of musical director, but as time goes on, and the relationships (musical or otherwise) develop, that job becomes less and less relevant. We each have our own stamp to make on the song, and our trust in each other to do that with care and good taste is well in tact these days.

Artist: Mother Mother Song: Body Of Years

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QC: I feel like your music was heavily influenced by your formative years.  I know that sounds obvious because our formative years make us all who we are, but I feel a young essence in your music, which is nice and refreshing. Anything accurate about that?

RG: Not since i was younger, a teen or before, have I really immersed myself in another band’s work, so i do believe there’s truth in that.

QC: Personally, I have a sister  who I’m very close to and have worked with on a professional level.  I found it to be a wonderful thing. What’s it like working with a sibling?

RG: It’s wonderful, but the novelty’s worn off. We’re so used to our own consanguinity in the context of Mother Mother that to sensationalize it seems gimmicky. But I can understand why everybody asks about it.  I’m just surprised they expect an interesting answer.

QC: I dig the “O My Heart” and “Body of  Years” music videos, are you happy with how they turned out?

RG: Yeah, we like those just fine, but we’re most excited about the new one for “Hayloft.” It’s airing in Canada and should soon be up on Youtube and Myspace.

QC: What bands are you listening to right now?

RG: The Daredevil Christopher Wright is a recent band favorite

QC: What music has most influenced your own?

RG: Pixies and The Beatles sum it up.

QC: Because you’re Canadian and not having any hometown bias, where is your favorite place to play  in the U.S.?

RG: There really are no favorites. The experience is too elastic and not geographically determined. But Washington, Chicago, and NYC are traditionally really nice to us.

QC: I have a lot of friends who are young talented musicians trying to find their place in the music world.  Do you have any advice for the young and aspiring?

RG: Work really really hard and absorb all that is around you.

QC: We’re excited for you to play gigs again in the States. We miss you. Bush is gone, I promise.

RG: Thanks alot. We can’t wait to come back.

QC: Thanks for the beautiful harmonies and rocking beats. Keep them coming!

RG: Take it easy..