For nearly a decade, Pirog also corresponded with James Brandon Lewis, an accomplished jazz saxophonist and composer based in Brooklyn who studied music at Howard University. The trio and jazz bandleader have shared songs and stages together, including a three-song set at New York's Winter Jazz Fest in 2019 that sparked the quartet's production of a full-length album.
“It just felt like it clicked, especially [the song] “'Serpent's Tongue,' that song was a really high-energy song, but with James, it was over the top,” Pirog recalled of the Jazz Fest performance on a recent Zoom call. “From that first experience, it was a very exciting collaboration.”
For Lewis, joining the team was a natural extension of his collaboration with Pirog. He says he doesn't try to force or control the music, instead following the direction the music leads without any preconceived notions of what form it should take.
“I'm always chasing energy, so the more energy I have, the better. But maybe I need to start working out for that. I'm also getting older and just need more energy. Because it's hard to run out and not work out,'' Lewis said with tension and dry wit.
“You should try cocaine,” Chianti suggests jokingly.
“If my grandmother read this interview, she would say, 'Grandma, I didn't say that,'” Lewis says.
This upbeat nature doesn't believe in a serious approach to music on the simply titled “The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis,” released March 15 on legendary jazz label Impulse. record. Impressively, the album was recorded in two days after just one day of rehearsals and before their debut gig at Blues Alley in Washington, DC. He says the energetic musicality he's honed over two albums and countless shows has been further enhanced.
“James completed the painting in such a wonderful way,” says Larry. “It was like adding a scene to a movie or adding a chapter to a book. Having James involved made it more expansive, and we left room for that to happen.”
Chianti agrees. “If you leave space for people who have something to say, they'll say it,” he says. “And James always had something to say.”
The album was written and laid out to leave room for Pirog and Lewis to play around with melodies, swap solos, and play together. Many of the songs on this record were first takes, recorded by engineer Don Godwin. If musical lightning struck, the band wanted to be ready for it.
Lewis' saxophone adds a bold voice to the trio's previous playing. He soars over a booming riff on “Emergence,” embellishes the song's climax with punk fury, and leads with bluesy swagger on “That Thang.” But on this album, whether on subdued songs like “Three Sisters” or the heartbreaking “Boatley,” the group often finds itself in a contemplative mood, patiently building up before giving way to a good shout-out. builds to an emotional crescendo.
“We went in there and just tried to play jazz, listen to each other's opinions, and try to attack each other. The inspiration came and it was the most I've ever been a part of. It was one of those easy sessions,” Canty recalls. “The whole session felt like a great conversation that continued between the four of us throughout the weekend. We were all really excited about what was coming from the tape at the same time.”
The tape tells the story of a conversation between longtime collaborators, and how old friends reunite after years apart and pick up where they left off.
“Brendan and I have things that we don't even know we have or that we don't know how to deal with or talk about. Those are things that we just do together,” Larry said. He explained that Pirrog and Lewis had developed similar non-verbal languages. “This guy has less trouble sharing space when the two entities come together, because we know how to hold space for the rest of the conversation.”
For Canty, a multi-instrumentalist who plays drums in the band, the process is a welcome challenge.
“I'm trying hard to stay on top and keep the dialogue going at the level they're throwing at me. I'm trying, but it's hard,” he admits. “I love what they're saying, but, well, they're speaking in a very advanced language to me.”
The musicians make it clear that despite their roots combining eclectic elements of punk, jazz and experimental music, their only intention when entering the studio is to be honest and present in the moment. That means it was.
“It's a feeling that something new might happen,” Larry says. “Right now is a moment to think about what you are trying to achieve and what we can do together. It's wild and it's keeping [the music] In a place that is new to you. ”
For Lewis, there are always big risks involved when performing and recording are involved.
“No one goes into the studio unless they want to make something great. You have to listen to this song for the rest of your life. The better it sounds, the better.”
The same philosophy extends to Lewis' approach to live performance, which he describes as “championship.”
“You only get to play once, and that’s the championship,” he explains. “I don't mean it in a competitive sense, I mean there's no tomorrow. The only way to make the most of this moment is now.”
For all musicians, this moment comes as memories of the pandemic's peak days fade, despite the indelible mark it has left on daily life. During that time, the Mesthetics members did not see each other for a while, and it was unclear whether they would ever get together again. By staying together as a quartet, the musicians are focused on future possibilities.
“When you pick up your guitar or piano or drums every day and stand there at any time…life is so short that you have to work towards it. You have to understand what you’re hearing,” says Canty. “When you get up there, it's a tabula rasa. You remove all your preconceptions and listen to what's actually happening in front of you.”
Towards the end of the interview, band members invited Pirog to join the conversation. Despite being a key part of the band's new composition, he remained silent for most of the call.
When he does speak, his comment, “Looks like they've already said everything,” speaks to the story they've created in the moment. But for a band in dialogue with dual punk and jazz traditions, and an audience eager to explore new musical frontiers, it's clear that Methetics still has a lot to say.