Q&A: Mutemath on New Orleans, Portishead and religious roots; show Thursday at the Beaumont Club

For a band that claims it’s no good at being dark, Mutemath has been through its share of rough times — the band lived through Hurricane Katrina in its native New Orleans in 2005 and became mired in label disputes with Warner Music Group. Despite the setbacks, the bluesy, arena-rock band’s popularity soared, thanks to a huge following online as well as its tours with a wide variety of acts from Matchbox 20 and Alanis Morissette to local favorites Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Vedera. The Pitch caught up with frontman Paul Meany ahead of the band’s show this Thursday, February 16, at the Beaumont Club.