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Originally comprised as a duo of vocalist Dave Elkins and drummer Jacob Marshall, Mae soon grew into a quintet alongside guitarist Matt Beck, keyboardist Rob Sweitzer, and bassist Mark Padgett. Before long the band developed a presence in the local music scene and within eight months had landed shows alongside the likes of the Movielife, River City High, and the Exit. Mae’s debut album “Destination: Beautiful” arrived in 2003 on Tooth & Nail Records, which marked the departure of guitarist Mattt Beck who was replaced by former Unsung Heroes man Zach Gehring.
After a collection of b-sides entitled “Destination: B-Sides” earned its release, Mae full-length sophomore album “The Everglow” was issued in 2005. The album reached No. 51 on the Billboard 200 and was supported by an extensive tour including a coveted spot on the year’s Warped Tour. After touring on the Virgin College Mega Tour in 2006 with Over It and Yellowcard, and the release of the bonus edition of “The Everglow”, the band signed with major label Capitol Records.
The band’s subsequently released the album “Singularity” in 2007, which marked the band’s highest selling and charting album, with the release peaking at No. 40 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned the single “Sometimes I Can’t Make It Alone” and was the only album to be released on Capitol records as the band continued then-onwards as an independent act. The EP “(m)orning” became their debut independent release in 2009, followed by the subsequently EPs “(a)fternoon” in 2009, and “(e)vening” in 2010.
Mae delivers their pop-punk brand of music in the most sincere and engaging way. They have tinges of the emo genre incorporated into their music, which gives their music an emotional tie to their audience. Mae can perform their music in a very catchy way that will hook their audience with their jangly guitar riffs, but they can also crank out soft, sincere ballads that will pluck their audience’s heart strings. They play on the traditional rock instruments such as bass, guitar, and drums, but their incorporation of piano into their music is what gives their sound a new take on the pop-punk genre. The piano is what gives their music an epically emotional vibe to their delivery. Rob Sweitzer’s piano playing adds beautiful depths to the music and usually sets the mood of some of their strongest songs such as “Were So Far Away”.
A strong ambience is usually conveyed in Mae’s performances. At times the stage is dimly lit and soft lights are draped around the keyboard. Their guitars are usually layered with strong delay, which helps build up the ambience and the emotional quality of the music. Dave Elkins is always giving his all when singing his lyrics. You can tell that each lyric that Elkins sings is dear to his heart as well as has a strong connection to his audience. Mae’s audience is always engaged in the performance singing their hearts out to all the lyrics. On songs such as “The Everglow” Elkins refrains from singing and lets the audience sing out the lyrics in unison.
At a Mae performance you can expect to be moved by the strong energy and sincerity of the performance. Everyone in the audience is just as drawn into the music as the band, and the connection between the audience and the band is immensely strong. Mae’s performances have clearly shown the strong impact that live music conveys when performed in a sincere way.