Mae, an acronym for Multi-Sensory Aesthetic Experience, was formed as a duo in 2001 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Elkins and drummer Jacob Marshall. Over the next five years, the band would experience lineup changes and release two albums and a few extended-plays on the Tooth & Nail label.
Last year Elkins, Marshall, bassist Mark Padgett, keyboardist Rob Sweitzer and guitarist Zach Gehring signed with the band's first major label, Capitol Records.
"It was scary for us," Elkins said by phone from Dallas. "It was a careful process and it took us a year to decide for sure what we were going to do. Then we did it."
Immediately, however, things took a downward spin. "Right after we signed, the label had a shakeup. The label collapsed and became the Capitol Music Group. The remaining employees picked up the pieces and carried on. In the meanwhile, our new album ('Singularity') was finished, and we waited to see what was going to happen with it.
"We decided to stay patient and let the dust settle, before we would do something drastic."
But Capitol released the album because those in charge were fans of the band. "It was a long process for us, but it turned out to be one of the best things for us. We learned a lot, and since we had done this type of thing independently for half a decade, we knew it would take some hard work to see things fulfilled."
The recording sessions for "Singularity" were different from the band's previous album, "Everglow," said Elkins. "First off, Capitol provided us with a producer, Howard Benson, who has worked with Reliant K and Saoson, bands that we liked. He wasn't involved as much as some producers can be. What Howard did was come in and heard what we were doing beatwise, and he left us to work the songs together. He trusted our musicianship, and he helped us make the songs more catchy.
"Secondly, we had more time and money to make the album. And we knew that 'Everglow' was us as a band finding a purpose for our music. And 'Singularity' is taking that purpose and reaching as many kids as we can."
If you go
What: Mae, As Tall as Lions, Dear in the Headlights
Where: Avalon, 3605 S. State
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
How much: $16
Phone: 480-5634
E-mail: scott@desnews.com