Mute

http://www.wearemute.co.uk/CKUT2007.mp3 - CKUT 90.3 FM

They may be Mute, but it doesn't take much for them to get your attention. Even in their three-track self-titled EP, the trio create some heavy sounds, drilled with electronica, conjuring up an irresistible, provacative beat.

Alex Geddes, Marc Dahan and Carl Lafontaine complete the band, which began in Montreal, ended up in London, and resurfaced back in Canada again. Sounding like a darkened distortion of The Cure, Depeche Mode and Placebo, the band has covered much ground -- musically and physically -- picking up influences along the way.

Expect to hear 'Like A Thing You Never Knew' in the hottest clubs around. Lustful and evocative, it's the dominant track of the EP, and most enticing, with Geddes' tempting brush-by-your-ear whispers. Simply put, their music offers something you can't resist, you can't put your finger on it, but you really wish you could.

Silence isn't golden anymore - it's leather and lace.
Enjoy it...

Arie Musil
OneTimesOne
Quality And Independant Media - OneTimesOne

http://www.wearemute.co.uk/Mute CISM.mp3 - CISM 89.3 FM

Part 1:

http://www.wearemute.co.uk/Mute Interview CKUT1.mp3

Part 2:

http://www.wearemute.co.uk/Mute Interview CKUT2.mp3
- CKUT 90.3 FM

In my experience new, unsigned bands tend to fall into three categories: 1.) Shy introverts writing about suicide and depression who get faint of breath every time they stand in front of more than two people at their rehearsals; 2.) Ultra-pretentious rock-star-wannabes who virtually copy their favorite band or singer and shamelessly flaunt their paper-thin originality to anyone who will listen; and 3.) the ultra-rare Next Big Thing.

If I was a betting man, I would say Mute falls squarely into category 3.

Every band has this moment where they can either draw you into their performance and take you on this amazing journey or alienate you forever. This crossroads usually comes in the attempt to balance accessibility with image and stage presence. Because, let's face it, no one wants to see someone they've never heard of act like Eddie Vedder while singing like James Hetfield and grabbing their crotch like Jay-Z. It's embarrassing. At the same time you don't go to a rock concert to watch someone keep their eyes closed or a hat over their eyes because they don't want to seem too arrogant or cocky. Music is supposed to be fun, but let's face it, if you don't buy into the image and attitude, you'll never spend money to buy the album, let alone see them in concert.

To compare Mute to any other band I listen to should only be taken as proof of their accessibility. They're not "pop," such as it is, but there is a definite radio-friendly playability to their songs. ALL of their songs. Think Franz Ferdinand meets 80's revival with no curfew. The songs are fun, deep, just dark enough to be intriguing and with a self-confidence that never crosses the line into arrogance.

This is reflected perfectly on stage.

I had the opportunity to see them at the Club Soda on Friday, at what is hilariously referred to as a "Battle of the bands." It's pretty much a popularity contest, where the more people you bring to see you the further you get. Regardless of the unfairness of it, I consider myself EXTREMELY fortunate to have been able to see them live.

A quick rundown: all the songs we know and love, a new song, "so new it doesn't even have a name yet," with Alex jumping around onstage and looking the star with cameras for their upcoming video circling them like highly conspicuous secret agents. But it all just added to the fun of it. The band was human, smiling and nodding along with their own music, with just enough aloofness and showing off to make you realize you were, in fact, at a concert.

The greatest drawback was that they only had 30 minutes per band, so it was a very rushed experience. Regardless of that, I would not be surprised if very soon I'll be paying many times the $15 ticket price to see them without the trappings of a contest. Stav and I stood there absolutely transfixed, having fun even for the songs we weren't familiar with.

Long and short: these guys are a band you want to listen to. Not because it's cool to listen to bands before they're on the radio... rather, I should say, not JUST because it's cool to listen to bands before they're on the radio, but because they really are that good. I seriously believe in this band... hell, they bumped Nine Inch Nails off my top 8, and let me tell you, the only reason I signed up to MySpace in the first place was to be friends with Nine Inch Nails. I just figure, Trent Reznor doesn't need me to promote him.

On a tangent and somewhat random anecdote... before the concert I actually got to meet Alex, who sold me the ticket personally. Alex, of course, being lead singer for the band. In spite of my rather embarrassingly enthusiastic response to meeting the lead singer to a band I like, he was very friendly and vocally appreciative of my interest in the band. I admit that selling tickets in person provides EXCELLENT P.R. for a band, and Alex did it really well.

I look forward to hearing more from this band, and recommend to everyone to check them out as well:

http://www.myspace.com/wearemute

www.wearemute.co.uk

Jeremy Clark: Freelance Journalist. New Mute Fan
- Jeremy Clark:Under The Ground Magazine. New Mute Fan

The name of the band is Mute. Their slogan? “We are Mute. Can you hear us?” And that’s only beginning of the wit and charm which exudes from this threesome of boys with subtle accents and obvious talent. Their claim to fame, should fame be their ultimate end, will be their skill for merging different worlds. And the reason that fame should be theirs is that they are only beginning to expose the tip of their musical iceberg and already they have revealed that they have much to offer the world.

The band formed when a Montreal duo met a London single and formed an international trio. Working together and performing together on both sides of the Atlantic, the group rapidly developed their sound, mixing not only their roots and locations for fan base but also their different tastes in musical sound. Blending a little bit of electro-techno sound with a little bit of multi-decade rock influence and a little bit of popular alternative sound, Mute has created a sound all their own. And it is anything but silent.

It was late in 2005 when they released their debut EP, Eponymous. Just over a year later, they are set to release their first full-length LP, the length of which will give them the opportunity to showcase the breadth of their blended sound. They say that three’s a crowd, but in the case of this band, everyone’s separate talents come together seamlessly. And they say that silence is golden, but the answer to Mute’s question should be, “yes, and we want to hear more!” - By: Kathryn Vercillo - Indie In-Tune

Listen up Montreal's local scene, the bar has been raised. The threat is newcomers Mute fronted by Alex Geddes (vocals), with Marc Dahn on guitar/synth and Carl Lafontaine on bass/synth. One third Brit and two thirds Canadian are the key ingredients to this sparking firecracker. The trio takes their cue from influential bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure, but serves their tunes up with a heavier spin. Their self titled debut is a lusty dark electro-rock record with enough radio chum charm to land them stable footing in the mainstream.

Mute is the definition of do-it-yourself from their album art to self-PR. "There's satisfaction in doing everything yourself, seeing your hard work grow into something," vocalist Alex Geddes said on their fully independent beginnings. "You'll always [have] some humility and remember where you come from."

This triple threat knows where they come from and are headstrong about where they are going. Look out for these guys, they mean business. Mute has a game plan and knows how to work it. "We're ready to tour as much as possible and take our audience somewhere else. We want to make our audience feel something. If you can do that really well, that goes beyond words."

With a band slogan like "We are Mute. Can you hear us?" the answer is obviously yes and we'll only be hearing more of Mute, much more.

www.wearemute.com, myspace.com/wearemute

-Marc Soucy - The Concordian

http://www.wearemute.co.uk/MuteCISM2007.mp3 - CISM 89.3 FM