2011 was an action packed year for New Orleans alternative rockers MUTEMATH. The band released their third studio album, Odd Soul, toured extensively in support of the record, performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and hired a new guitar player. The only thing would have completed the band’s run of good fortune was if their beloved New Orleans Saints had beaten the 49ers last weekend in San Francisco. “I read somewhere that if Drew Brees shot someone in the back, he’d walk free,” said the band’s lead singer/keyboardist Paul Meany. Though they do not have as much pull as the Saints quarterback, the band certainly has built up enough goodwill amongst fans during their years as a band.

The origins of Odd Soul were sewn in 2010 after the band finished touring in support of 30 Seconds to Mars. Unlike the band’s earlier material, they recorded this album as a three-piece, and were inspired by, believe it or not, Black Sabbath. “It ended up working out well because when we started writing, we weren’t sure if we were going to have a guitar player during the recording process,” the singer explained. “It just felt right like this, especially Roy (bassist Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas) is a great guitar player as well. We wanted this record to feel very live and the challenge was to figure out what we’ve learned about each other.”

Meany attributes the core of the band’s sound is the foundation laid by drummer Darren King. The songwriting process begins when he creates an electronic instrumental track and then the singer/keyboardist will come up with an idea based upon that. So far, the formula has been successful for the outfit.

Lineup changes can affect the dynamic of the band in one-way or another. Having hired new guitarist Todd Gummerman before their tour last year, it took time for the band and guitar player to get used to one another. “The last tour was the start of a new chapter for our band,” Meany said. “The new chemistry between us has been refreshing and really nice.”

MUTEMATH is planning on building on their successful 2011.  After a brief break to end the year, the band is ready to get back on the road. They’re slated to crisscross the country for the next two months as a headliner. Unlike their last tour, Meany says the band is upping this ante this time around.

“We’re raising the stakes with our live show,” he explained. “Every live show we’ve played has taught us something that we’ve implemented into this upcoming tour. We’ve got a lot of new music we’re trying to work into the show and we’re planning on adding some visual treats to what we do musically.” By visual treats, Meany says that the band is going to use 3D projection mapping, which, for those of us who are technologically inferior, means that their “trying to turn the venue into the stage so everyone feels involved in the show.” The band is currently mulling through different elaborate light and stage setups, figuring out exactly what is feasible to pull off live and without problems. But he promises, “there will be things that we haven’t done before.”

In addition to their upcoming tour, the band is planning on heading to Europe closer to the summer and to start writing their next album. “You never know when ideas or songs are going to pop up and if they do, we have to start chipping away at the next record,” Meany said. The band has several new songs in the works; however they’re still in their embryonic stage so don’t expect to hear them live if you’re heading out to one of their gigs.

“We’re not ready to play them yet, but we’re always writing and getting things geared up, so we can’t wait for what 2012 has in store for us.”