The United Mates (of State)

Over guava Kombucha and Soy Crisps, the Mates of State get personal about marriage, music, and their ultimate womb with a view.

By David Callicott





On Wednesday night, the Mates of State played an acoustic show at Joe’s Pub before heading over to the Avalon to play an electric set for the CMJ Music Marathon, which we caught. On Thursday night they found time to relax during their soundcheck at The Annex (checkmate, anyone?), so we got together at a health food store around the corner on Ludlow. Over guava Kombucha and sweet barbecue Soy Crisps, we talked with the mated Hammels, Kori and Jason, about music, marriage, and pregnancy waivers.

BLACKBOOK: Was last night your first time back on stage in awhile?

KORI HAMMEL: We’ve played a few benefits, but in true band form, last night was our first real show in five or six months.

BB: You sounded tight for not having played in so long.

KH: Well, we’ve been practicing a lot over the past few weeks for our acoustic shows.

BB: How does the acoustic thing change the way you play?

JASON HAMMEL: I play a lot quieter.

KH: Why don’t you tell him the biggest change that you do now?

JH: I don’t open my eyes. Last night I got super nervous and didn’t open my eyes for the entire show. This morning I woke up and it’s like I had amnesia for the hour of the show—I couldn’t remember anything. And now it’s all coming back to me.

KH: I end up finding myself pounding [on the piano] sometimes because I feel like it has to be loud.

BB: What are the benefits of being married to your sole band mate?

JH: Scheduling is super simple.

KH: Being honest and blunt in practice is nice.

BB: Any drawbacks to being married?

KH: Probably the same things we just mentioned.

BB: Have you thought about adding anyone to the band?

KH: We always toy with the idea. When doing these shows this week, it’s like, maybe we should do a tour with people just to change it up. [The Mates had cellist Linnea Weiss and Bishop Allen’s bassist Christian Owens play with them for this week’s acoustic shows.] But when all is said and done, we think maybe it’s just better with the two of us. It’s a really hard call for us because we’ve been doing it for so long without any extra input. It definitely plays tricks on your mind having more people involved.

JH: It changes the chemistry too. Like this thing with Linnea and Christian has been great. And yeah, maybe doing more tours like this is something we’d do. But as far as adding more permanent members, I don’t think that will ever happen.

BB: How far along are you [into your pregnancy]?

KH: I’m due the first week of January. Could be a New Year’s baby.

BB: Do you know the sex?

KH: Yeah, it’s a girl.

BB: What’s it like playing pregnant?

KH: Every once in a while, my belly will hit the keys, and I’ll be like, where is that coming from?

BB: What about fatigue?

KH: I’m surprised I didn’t grab a chair last night. Last time we toured when I was pregnant, halfway through the set, I would be like, okay, get me a chair.

BB: You don’t see many pregnant rockers.

JH: Have you ever seen any? I think you’re the only pregnant rocker.

KH: I’ve heard people talk about Kim Gordon playing when she was pregnant, and playing her bass to the side. That had to be like, what, 15 years ago. You know, I had to sign a pregnancy waiver to get into the Avalon last night. I was actually really annoyed. I mean, what do they do if someone comes in in a wheelchair. Make them sign a wheelchair waiver? They must have had some kind of lawsuit. Maybe they were scared I was going to trip acid or something, then turn out to have a deformed child.

Download Mates of State’s “Fraud in the 80’s” here!