Here's how it would probably go if you were in a band who played by the music industry's rules: Step 1: Form your band. Step 2: Record some demos and shop them to labels. Step 3: Sign, get money, record a record. Step 4: Let your "people" take care of getting your music out to the masses while you remain clueless and tour nowhere towns in South Dakota.

Well, that game doesn't sound all that fun to Louisiana's Mute Math, either, so instead of following the current set of rules that most new artists follow, the electronic-rock outfit—Paul Meany, Greg Hill, Darren King, and Roy Mitchell-Cardenas—made a full-length record for an indie label (Teleprompt) and took it on the road with them, acting as their own distribution team.

"We were inspired by the whole idea of doing this unconventionally," says Meany, the band's frontman. "It was more of a personal approach, personally delivering this record to everyone who wanted one. Our long-term goal is to hopefully get distribution, but we saw this as a golden opportunity to build some momentum on a ground level."

The band's less traditional way of reaching fans with their music is slowly but most certainly making waves in today's music business, as well as bringing the band much success. Which proves you don't always have to play by the rules.

"This year has been quite a rush for us," continues Meany. "We made this tour specifically to release this album, and we really feel lucky with what's happening. We started the year and weren't sure what would be happening in a few months, but that's part of the excitement. You make an album, you get in your bus or your van and you just go. You hope one thing will just lead to another, and people are gonna like what you're doing."

The tour kicked off January 17 in Oklahoma City, and the goal was to go through March, says Meany. But now, it's mid-May, and the band have yet to slow down. While they've been on the road, more dates continue to get added due to promoters' high demand, and Mute Math have revisited many cities for "encore" performances. On top of that, the band were also asked to play on The Late Late Show, and more recently, they've been booked for Warped Tour, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza dates. All of which has taken Mute Math by surprise.

"I would like to say there was a complete optimistic abandon, but there was obviously a small bit of skepticism," Meany says, laughing. "In hindsight, we wound up selling as many CDs per week as we were scanning of our EP, so that was somewhat encouraging. And our audience has been incredible. A lot of credit to the audience, who's been giving this music some legs. We play a show somewhere, and the next time we come close, a lot of those people have dragged their friends to check it out. It's letting the whole word-of-mouth thing happen. It's almost been an evangelistic ethic."

While their business practices may be admirable, it's Mute Math's original sound that is earning them their ultimate props. Their sturdy rock foundation has drawn accurate comparisons to classic acts like U2 and the Police, but on top of that they build layers of synthesizer emissions and samples to modernize the sound. Turning to their eclectic musical backgrounds (Meany grew up with a sampler and a love for hiphop), they utilize elements from hiphop, jazz, funk, and pop to diversify their music. Each song is an airtight construction—an orchestra of carefully crafted pieces that have been created in lengthy experimental songwriting sessions. With that much time and heart invested in their sound, no wonder Mute Math have worked hard to remain in control.

"When you think about it, it's just getting back to basics. I think if there's one agenda we have as a band, it's setting out to redefine the industry and how music has to be sold and marketed. Hopefully, when everything's said and done, we'll have set a few new avenues and helped create a new community for bands to work within. I think opportunities are out there; we just need to tap into them."

megan@thestranger.com