Tiny Moving Parts Are Still Listening To The 'Dumb & Dumber' Soundtrack

American emo band Tiny Moving Parts was formed in 2008 while its band members, brothers William and Matthew Chevalier and their cousin Dylan Mattheisen were still in school. To date, they have released eight albums, with the most recent being their eponymously-titled record, released in August last year.

The trio are known for big poppy hooks and introspective lyrics attached to emo music (as well as a twinkly guitar here and there). 

"From that energetic three-piece sound, the authentic production, vocalist/guitarist Dylan Mattheisen's biting clean vocals and raw shouts, those anthemic choruses, that combination of math-rock with pop-punk and indie, usual clean guitar chords, arpeggios and those classic Midwest-emo tapping parts (see: Caution, Malfunction, It's Too Cold Tonight), and the honest, open-diary lyrics that carry genuine silver-linings (see: every single song); this is just business as usual for Tiny Moving Parts," we wrote in a review of the band's album, Swell. And what a fantastic place to be that business as usual is.

To celebrate Tiny Moving Parts' upcoming Australian tour with local favourites, Eat Your Heart Out; we caught up with Dylan Mattheisen to find out about the songs that soundtrack his life.

A song that reminds you of a best friend

Radio - Alkaline Trio

This may be my favourite song ever! Awesome song from start to finish. When I hear this song, I think about being at my friend's lake cabin on a sunny summer day on the water just rocking out. The instrumentation is soothing and builds throughout the song, which is something I adore about songwriting. The opening lyric: “Shaking like a dog shitting razor blades” is a unique way of beginning a story.

A song that changed your music taste forever

Understanding In A Car Crash - Thursday

I’ve listened to Full Collapse at least 5,000,000 times in my life. I’ve probably listened to War All The Time the same amount. Two very influential records for TMP. It’s crazy that after all these years, it still hits hard when it comes on shuffle. I  remember in high school having this song as my ringtone for my Motorola Razor flip phone, amazing song!

A song by your biggest inspiration

I Just Got This Symphony Goin’ - The Fall Of Troy

The finger-tapping intro is still one of the coolest riffs ever! We had the pleasure to tour with TFOT in Europe many years ago, and that was a dream come true. My first time watching them live, I was 16 years old, and they opened their set with this banger. When they clapped in, Tom Erak instantly crowd-surfed and me and my friends were holding him up while he was shredding every note perfectly. It was an awesome moment, TFOT is a great band!

The song highest on your rotation at the moment

Anti-Hero - Taylor Swift

T Swift is an amazing songwriter. Always been a big fan! The new album slaps, and I can’t get this track out of my head! I believe Midnights is her best material, and that’s hard to say since I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the records prior. Kudos Taylor!!!

Favourite song to scream in the car

Robbery - Juice WRLD

My friends and I love Juice WRLD. Always play his songs in every car ride, every bar on the weekends, etc. We’ve definitely overplayed Lucid Dreams a little too many times, but this is right with it. Somehow it hasn’t gotten old to my ears! R.I.P. to a true legend.

A song that was played at the first-ever gig you went to

Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

My parents brought me to my first concert when I was 14 years old. It was Tom Petty headlining, and Pearl Jam opened for them. My parents always jammed to Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen when I was growing up, which turned me off at the time since I heard it every stinking night. I remember at that show watching I was super amazed! Now as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how awesome Springsteen and Petty truly are. Great records from great musicians. Pearl Jam did put on a nice show I enjoyed as well. I do remember the whole arena smelt like weed, and it was a loud, fun time!

A road trip essential song

The whole Dumb & Dumber soundtrack!

We jam that soundtrack in the van every single tour ever since I can remember. It’s one of our favourite movies, and the songs bring out such a positive vibe that brightens the day! There have been many times we’ve had the soundtrack played 2-3 times straight through, which everyone notices, but no one complains!

Tiny Moving Parts begin their Australian tour in a few weeks; go here for tickets. Tour dates are below.

TINY MOVING PARTS

AUSTRALIAN TOUR

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS EAT YOUR HEART OUT

Tue 31 Jan – Conveneients, Perth, WA*
Wed 01 Feb – Enigma Bar, Adelaide, SA
Fri 03 Feb – Stay Gold, Melbourne, VIC
Sat 04 Feb – The Brightside, Brisbane, QLD
Sun 05 Feb - Schooner Or Later, Sydney (Harbour Cruise)*
Sat 05 Feb – Mary’s Underground, Sydney, NSW

*Eat Your Heart Out not appearing