Earthsuit

Earthsuit began in 1995 as a collaboration between Adam LaClave and Paul Meany, who began composing music together after being introduced at a church in New Orleans. In an interview with Family Christian Stores, Meany explained that a sermon was the inspiration for the band's name: "...This man was preaching about how humans are really spirit beings encased in fleshly bodies. The term "earth suit" came up. At the time we liked it, and we took it."{{cite web | url = http://www.familychristian.com/music/interviews/earthsuit_brand.new.suit.asp | title = A Brand New Suit | author = Abbas, Jan | publisher = Family Christian Stores | access-date = 2009-04-23 | archive-date = 2008-05-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080509124339/http://www.familychristian.com/music/interviews/earthsuit_brand.new.suit.asp | url-status = dead }} The two regularly performed at Café Joel,{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p434122|pure_url=yes}} | title = Allmusic Biography | website = Allmusic | author = Dillon, Charlotte | access-date = 2009-04-23}} a small coffeehouse their church had started where Meany was music director.Beaujon, p. 257 These performances helped cultivate their unique soundAlfonso, p. 162 and introduced them to future band member David Rumsey.

In 1997 they released a self-titled EP, which is sometimes called the Headless Clown EP due to its album cover. The record featured an early version of "One Time" (of which they later made a music video) as well as portions of live performances where Earthsuit covered Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly", albeit with re-written lyrics. Rumsey helped produce the EP and played guitar; however, the official band lineup only comprised LaClave and Meany.{{cite video | people = Earthsuit | title = Earthsuit EP | medium = Compact Disc | publisher = independent release |date = 1997}} Shortly after, Rumsey officially joined along with bassist Roy Mitchell, another Café Joel regular. The band played and ministered in their hometown and did not tour much. In 1998, the band recorded and released a second EP, entitled Noise for Your Eyes. The EP included a remix of "One Time" and early song demos, which were interspersed with short clips of live performances.{{cite video | people = Earthsuit | title = Noise For Your Eyes | medium = Compact Disc | publisher = independent release|date = 1998}} Drummer David Hutchison joined the band after they met him through a friend. In 1999, Earthsuit performed two sets at the Cornerstone Festival, one in a label showcase and the other opening for P.O.D. on the main stage. This garnered the attention of several major Christian labels, and the band subsequently signed to Sparrow Records.{{cite journal |last=Macintosh |first=Dan |author2=Kyle Minor |author3=David Jenison |author4=Margaret Feinberg |title=Best of the New: 7 artists that are changing the face of modern Christian music |pages=26–32 |date=May–June 2000 |issue=30 |journal=7ball |issn=1082-3980}}

File:Earthsuit - Adam and Paul.jpg (left) and Paul Meany (right) performing on the Strangely Normal Tour in 2001.]]The band began working with Prince producer David Leonard on their debut record, which excited Meany: "[Sparrow] loved what we were doing musically, and they wanted to find the producer who would capitalize on that." Kaleidoscope Superior was released on June 20, 2000, and elicited positive reviews from critics.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2004/theriseofmodernsimulation.html | title = The Rise of Modern Simulation review | author = Farias, Andree | magazine = Christianity Today | access-date = 2009-04-23}} It also received a Dove Award nomination{{cite news | title = Dove contenders named | author = Jim Patterson Associated Press | newspaper = The Dallas Morning News | date = 2001-01-27}} and experienced some success on Christian radio stations.Beaujon, p. 255 Christian rock peers Rebecca St. James and dc Talk members, Kevin Max and Michael Tait, expressed excitement over the record.{{cite journal | url = http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Earthsuit/Kaleidoscope_Superior/1582/ | title = Kaleidoscope Superior review | journal = Cross Rhythms | last = Bate | first = Peter |date=October 2000 | issue = 59 | access-date = 2009-12-06}}{{cite journal | url = http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Rebecca_St_James_The_Australian_CCM_stars_answers_20_rapidfire_questions/37049/p1/ | title = Rapid-fire Rebecca |last=Cummings |first=Tony | journal = Cross Rhythms |date=December 2000 | issue = 60 | access-date = 2009-12-06}} The same year, Earthsuit embarked on a tour called Festival Con Dios with other Christian bands, such as the Elms, PAX 217, and Switchfoot.{{cite magazine | title = Artists and Music: Higher Ground | author = Price, Deborah Evans | magazine = Billboard |date=March 2000 | page = 50}} The following year saw the band embark on their "Do You Feel The Distortion" tour with Ill Harmonics and The Benjamin Gate.{{cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/March01.asp | title = Music News Archive, March 2001 | author = Jesus Freak Hideout Staff | publisher = Jesus Freak Hideout | date = 2001-03-03 | access-date = 2009-04-26}}

Despite critical reception, Kaleidoscope Superior would remain the band's only commercial release; they were soon dropped from Sparrow's lineup due to "creative differences and marketing conundrums". Earthsuit disappeared from the public eye and began posting on a website about a new independent album. In September 2001, Hutchison left the band so he could spend more time with his family.{{cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/September01.asp | title = Music News Archive, September 2001 | author = Jesus Freak Hideout Staff | publisher = Jesus Freak Hideout | date = 2001-09-27 | access-date = 2009-04-26}} Rumors began circling that the band would break up.{{cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheRiseOfModernSimulation.asp | title = The Rise of Modern Simulation review | author = DiBase, John | publisher = Jesus Freak Hideout | date = 2004-01-19 | access-date = 2009-04-23}} In 2003, Earthsuit revealed they were disbanding and released their last record, The Rise of Modern Simulation. The final collection featured six original studio songs and ten bonus tracks, including a live remix of "Against the Grain", practice sessions of concert material, and covers of various songs.{{cite video | people = Earthsuit | title = The Rise of Modern Simulation | medium = Compact Disc | publisher = independent release |date = 2003}} The album could only be purchased on the internet. Meany would later state "most people didn't care when [they] broke up".

Shortly after Earthsuit's break up, Meany began working with drummer Darren King in a production team called "The Digitals".{{cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/Jan.asp | title = They're back! Well, actually... it's just that we've found them! | author = Jesus Freak Hideout Staff | publisher = Jesus Freak Hideout | date = 2003-01-13 | access-date = 2009-04-23}} The name later changed to "Math" while the group helped produce music for Christian music stalwart TobyMac.{{cite video | people = TobyMac | title = Re:Mix Momentum | medium = Compact Disc | publisher = ForeFront Records |date = 2003}} The band recruited guitarist Greg Hill and changed their name to Mutemath.{{cite web | url = http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2006/10/19/Interview-MuteMath-C.doc.aspx | title = Did Mother Earthsuit Beget Mutemath? | author = Assar, Vijith | publisher = The Hook | date = 2006-11-28 | access-date = 2009-04-26}}

To accommodate new recordings, Meany and producer Tedd T started an independent label named Teleprompt Records. Their first release was an EP titled Reset in September 2004. Earthsuit alumnus Roy Mitchell joined the venture in 2005. Teleprompt later signed a distribution deal directly with Warner Bros. Records, allowing Mutemath to release a full-length self-titled album on September 26, 2006.{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p676565|pure_url=yes}} | title = Mutemath biography | author = Mason, Stewart | website = Allmusic | access-date = 2009-04-23}}

Adam LaClave formed two bands, Macrosick and Club of the Sons. Macrosick has released only an independent CD titled demodisk; the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005 forced the band members to go on hiatus.{{cite video | people = Macrosick | title = demodisk | publisher = independent | medium = Compact Disc |date = 2003}} LaClave then turned his attention towards Club of the Sons with friend and bassist Jonathan Allen. They released an EP called The Roughs in spring 2007{{cite video | people = Club of the Sons | title = The Roughs EP | medium = Compact Disc | publisher = independent |date = 2007}} and an album entitled Young Quanta on July 7, 2009.{{cite video | people = Club of the Sons | title = Young Quanta | publisher = independent | medium = Compact Disc |date = 2009}}

{{listen | filename = Earthsuit - One Time.ogg | title = "One Time" | description = Earthsuit's music was an amalgam of different styles; in "One Time" Adam LaClave sings over a reggae rhythm before the chorus. Afterwards, Paul Meany raps over a rock rhythm. | format = Ogg | filename2 = Earthsuit - Millennium.ogg | title2 = "Millennium" | description2 = This song was intended to be included on Kaleidoscope Superior. This sample showcases the band's use of vocal effects over a funky bass line before heading into a rock chorus. | format2 = Ogg}}

Earthsuit music was primarily rock, but also possessed strong hip-hop, electronica, reggae, soul, and experimental elements. Their sound had sometimes been compared to The Police,{{cite magazine | url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/earthsuit/earthsuit.html | title = Earthsuit Biography | author = Christianity Today Staff | magazine = Christianity Today | access-date = 2009-04-27}} while Meany's rapping had been likened to the Beastie Boys.{{cite journal | title = The Glorious Rise of Christian Pop | author = Ali, Lorraine | journal = Newsweek | date = 2001-07-16}} Adam LaClave stated the differing musical tastes of the band helped cultivate their sound: "Each one of us is really into a lot of different things ... it helps make our sound because you can hear all kinds of things". Live performances were characterized by sunglasses, futuristic costumes,{{cite magazine | url = http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11534655/archive2 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211024183649/https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11534655/archive2 | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 24, 2021 | title = Feature Archive: Artist Profiles From the Loud and Quirky Side of the Musical Spectrum | author = Farris, Christa | magazine = CCM Magazine | date = May 2001 | access-date = 2009-04-26 }} and energetic showmanship.{{cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/concerts/StrangelyNormal2001.asp | title = Concert Review: The Strangely Normal Tour |author1=Chamberlin, Kevin |author2=P., Jim | publisher = Jesus Freak Hideout | date = 2001-02-22 | access-date = 2009-04-27}} Many bands have influenced Earthsuit's style; the group has performed covers of songs by Basement Jaxx, Black Sheep, Kraftwerk, and Talking Heads. They have also utilized samples by DJ Shadow and The Verve.

Adam LaClave and Paul Meany were the primary songwriters for Earthsuit. As Christians, the two wrote lyrics that often communicated a Christian message. For example, the song "Said the Sun" is an allegory about God telling Christians to be carriers of light.{{cite journal | url = http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11535385/archive1/earthsuit/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211024190625/https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/stories/11535385/archive1/earthsuit/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 24, 2021 | title = Talent Pool—Earthsuit | author = St. James, Rebecca | author-link = Rebecca St. James | journal = CCM Magazine | date = August 2000 | volume = 23 | issue = 2 | page = 22 | access-date = 2009-04-26 }} "Whitehorse" was written to present a different view of the return of Jesus, as LaClave stated in an interview, "Most people, when they hear the term "white horse," think of the analogy of Jesus coming back ... [We] wanted to bring a different meaning to it, because ... He comes to rescue us in our everyday life [too]." The men's lyrics also reflect experiences they have had. Meany once had a dream that inspired him to write "Gummy Buffalo"; he found himself in a candy store and squeezed a gummy buffalo whereupon he heard the melody for the song. Christianity Today has proposed the lyrics in "Foreign" may have been inspired by their departure from Sparrow Records. The lyrics read "There's no place in your world for me / I've been from sea to shining sea / And I can't retain your policies, excuse me / If I'm just hanging around, I'm foreign."

• Earthsuit (aka The Headless Clown EP) (independent, 1997)
• Noise for Your Eyes (independent, 1998)
• Kaleidoscope Superior (Sparrow Records, 2000)
• The Rise of Modern Simulation (independent, 2003)

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• {{cite book | title = The Billboard guide to contemporary Christian music | author = Alfonso, Barry | publisher = Billboard Book | year = 2002 | isbn = 0-8230-7718-7}}
• {{cite book | title = Body piercing saved my life: Inside the phenomenon of Christian rock | author = Beaujon, Andrew | publisher = Da Capo Press | year = 2006 | ISBN = 0-306-81457-9 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/bodypiercingsave00beauj }}

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Category:Sparrow Records artists