Interview Two sides to every coin: Mutual Benefit

‘Skip a Sinking Stone’ came about almost backwards. After a year of touring I knew it was time to make a record but I had no idea what it should be about. I hadn’t even come close to fully processing one of the most roller-coaster years of my life because there is almost no time for introspection when you are in a van with your friends or playing music in a bar every day. I felt spiritually empty and was having a hard time adjusting back to “real life”. When I started to feel to normal and write again I realized both of those years were mirror images of each other. That realization is what finally gave me the confidence to make an album about those experiences and what provided the context to write about those two stories as the two sides of the record.

It was my intention to make the two sides encompass different sonic universes. I wanted Side A to feel upbeat with these soaring moments that remind me of times where I’m so excited I can’t even sit still. On Side B I tried introducing more dissonance within the notes and use less instruments recorded close up to make it feel a little more claustrophobic.

They’ve worked with a lot of bands I like and seem okay taking creative risks. Most importantly, they seemed like human beings and not lizards in disguise but you never know, maybe my radar is off… The response in the UK has been amazing so far. London has consistently been my favourite place to play. At our show a couple weeks ago it took me a while to get through the crowd and back to the merch table so one of our fans took it upon herself to sell our LP’s for us as a thank you for enjoying the show. Those little moments of generosity seem to happen a lot when we visit England. Also the super dry humour absolutely kills me.

The biggest resource that was different from the last record was time. I was able to work on the record full time which made a huge difference on the scale and thoughtfulness of the songs. Other than a couple weeks at our friend’s studio for piano and drums we made this record very similarly to ‘Love’s Crushing Diamond’. I was afraid people would think I "sold out” so I wanted ‘SASS’ to still have lo-fi elements and be mostly self-recorded with the band. We were able to get it mixed by Brian Deck which was a huge honor. I’d gladly never try and mix one of my own records ever again!

I think the hard part is figuring out what is worth saying. I try to be careful about what work I put into the world. I’d rather it take a long time and be completely intentional and thought out. The best way I’ve found to write lyrics is to write in a journal first thing in the morning every single day. It is amazing the phrases and images that hide out in your subconscious and just have to be coaxed out.

I think that is only half-right and somewhat of a dangerous myth. I believe good writing comes from paying close attention to other people, to your surroundings, and to yourself. Pain and heartache are definitely good at getting you to pay close attention and think poetically but I think some of the most profound art stems from closely observing the mundane and not just recounting the dramatic.

For better or worse I still only write for myself. My lyrics are still just me trying to figure out how to be a human being in a topsy turvy world.

Mutual Benefit’s new album ‘Skip a Sinking Stone’ is out now via Transgressive.

Tags: Mutual Benefit, Features, Interviews