Monster magic with MOGWAI

MOGWAI, the Scottish post rockers who back in 2011 served up one of the most musically fulfilling and intense live shows Bangkok music fans had ever experienced, are heading back to the Thai capital next week and tickets for their one-off gig are selling fast.
Known for live performances that cover vast musical landscapes that are drenched by torrential guitars and dark electronic experiments, the band appeals not only devoted post rock fans but also to rock music lovers in general.
Released last year, “Rave Tapes” is the eighth studio album by Mogwai and their second on Rock Action, the label they set up almost 18 years ago. In between, the Scottish quintet has established themselves on the international stage through a prolific recorded output and a commitment to touring.
The 10-track album is mined from the same quarry as its predecessors, wreathed in painterly textures underpinned by increasingly electronic beats.
Recorded in the band’s Castle Of Doom studio in Glasgow, the record marks the latest phase in the group’s increasingly substantial canon and clearly demonstrates that their mastery of sound is firmly at |its apex.
Formed in 1995 in Glasgow, Mogwai are Dominic Aitchison (bass), Stuart Braithwaite (guitar and vocals), Martin Bulloch (drums), Barry Burns (keyboard, computer and guitar) and John Cummings (guitar).
Burns chatted with us via email about the band’s new album and Bangkok gig.

WHAT IS THE BAND UP TO NOW?
We had some time off after November but it's time to start writing for the new projects we have this year.

IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE "RAVE TAPES" CAME OUT. HOW’S THE FEEDBACK BEEN SO FAR?
Generally really good, even album of the year on a couple of websites, which is pretty good going for us.

WHY DID YOU CALL IT "RAVE TAPE"?
Someone got drunk and thought it was a good title.

WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD GO FULL-ON EDM BUT THE ALBUM IS NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL.
I am still not sure what EDM is. Is that what Americans call the electronic music that Europeans have been making for decades?

HOW DOES THE MUSIC-MAKING PROCESS WORK IN THE BAND?
If it’s me writing, then I start with a synth or very occasionally a guitar. Basically we write separately and then we get together and practice the songs.

WHERE DOES THE INSPIRATION COME FROM?
Loads of very different things, like lots of old films and music but also from our peers’ music too.

WE'VE RARELY SEEN MOGWAI COLLABORATING WITH OTHER ARTISTS. WHY?
Well, being in a band is already like collaboration, isn't it? We’re constantly collaborating.

IT'S BEEN 18 YEARS SINCE YOUR DEBUT ALBUM. HOW HAS MOGWAI EVOLVED AS A BAND?
Very slowly but surely. I think we have probably de-evolved as people over the same time period. This job is not normal.

HOW DID YOU ENJOY YOUR LAST GIG IN BANGKOK FOUR YEARS AGO?
It was fantastic! And was it really that long ago? Time slips away fast. I know we had lots of great food, which is always important.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR NEXT WEEK’S GIG?
Just a concert, but hopefully a very good one. We always try hard to play as well as we can.

PLEASE SAY SOMETHING TO THE THAI FANS.
Hi Thai fans. I left my sunglasses on Koh Yao Yoi last Christmas. If you see them, phone me!

Mogwai performs next Friday at Moonstar Studio (hall 1) on Lat Phrao Soi 80.
Tickets costing Bt1,500 are |available at Thai Ticket Major. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.