Under The Rotunda

Chicago locals The M's have been a longtime favorite of mine -- I can still remember hearing their music for the first time at the Intonation Music Festival and buying their debut album at the festival's record fair. Now, four years later, the M's have just released their third album, Real Close Ones, via Polyvinyl. With every record they release, they consistently show their musical prowess and ability to make great, fun music. They've also had the chance to share the stage with Wilco, Of Montreal, and countless others. Not too shabby for a band that got their start recording in the basement.

The M's story seems to be one strongly based on friendship and hard work. Rob and Steve first met during college in Kalamazoo, MI. Afterwards, they both moved to Chicago and kept in touch. Joey wound up working with Rob in a restaurant, and Josh ended up working with Steve at a camping store. "I was really poor and had just moved from Arkansas, and didn't know anybody, so Rob was my first friend," recalled Joey. Later on, Rob heard some of Joey's four-track recordings that he'd been working on in his apartment, and they decided to start recording some music together. Eventually, all four of them became friends and started to hang out to listen to records, drink beer, and make some music. When Josh's old band folded, leaving an open gig, they decided to fill in. Joey captured their thoughts, "'Let's just play it and have our name be different. Let's just play these six songs that we have.' And then we just kept doing stuff." Thus, the M's were born.

For their first record, they recorded in their apartment building's basement. The basement had been a complete mess, and the lady who owned the building made a deal with them. "You guys clean it up, you can do whatever you want." They immediately jumped on the opportunity, turning the dank lower level into their own personal recording space. "We put down some carpeting, positioned wires so the ceiling didn't collapse on us," Josh laughed. It wasn't exactly perfect, but it got the job done. It was during this time that the band really came together and started to write as a group. "Somebody would put down an idea and leave it, and then other people would come in and throw a bunch more tracks on it." With everyone coming and going, they managed to work together to create their first album. Joey remembers he went home for Christmas, after laying down the beginning musical ideas for "Big Baby Bottoms" -- and when he came back, the song was done.

In the fall of 2004, after The M's was released, the band was able to go on tour with Wilco (for the first time, as they opened again during summer 2006). "The first tour we went on with Wilco was pretty mind-blowing." "Yeah, Irving Plaza in New York, opening to a completely full place. [It was] probably the first time we played to that many people before. Really exciting." Going on tour with Wilco definitely helped push the band to new heights. "We became an entity in Chicago, after that. People didn't hesitate about covering whatever we did." They emphasize the friendship and community they have with the members of Wilco, including a love for their music as well. "We're definitely fans of bands that keep challenging themselves musically and changing it up and heading in new directions, because that's kind of what we do."

For their new album, Real Close Ones, the band engineered and produced it themselves -- continuing a DIY ethic they've always had. "The first one we did in our shitty basement, the second one we did at Semaphore -- which is a recording studio on the West side of Chicago -- and this one we did in a space in Andersonville. It's got nice big ceilings and a big open room. Everything sounded really good, so instead of going to a studio for this album, [we thought] 'Let's just do it here!'" The M's are also responsible for all of the horns and strings that wind their way onto their albums. "We'll write the part and expound upon it as we go through the session," while working with the players. The recording of Future Women marked one break from this, as they had an arranger help them out, Dave Max Crawford. But they went back to doing everything themselves for the latest record. "It was more organic this time. It was much more of us hanging out and discovering what they were gonna be. We keep the same rotating horn section, they're all good friends of ours, so it's pretty fun."

The friendship component came up again and again as we talked, and it's clear how important this is to them. Recording in their own space allowed them to hang out while making the album, to not have worries about spilling a little beer while they were working. "We don't know what to do with fancy." "Yeah, I think we would just fuck fancy up." "It wouldn't be fancy for too long," Josh and Joey laughed with each other. Working the way the M's do allows their determination and drive to shine through. "The heat's been out for two winters in that place where we recorded Real Close Ones. It's cold. We're all huddled around electric heaters wearing lots of clothes. We recorded most of this album in the winter time, freezing our assess off. It's a testament to the spirit of the band. There's no real impediments. No matter what you got -- keep going."

The M's - Big Sound (from Real Close Ones)
The M's - Get Your Shit Together (from Real Close Ones)

Labels: Interviews