Mogwai
Mogwai | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
Genres | |
Discography | Mogwai discography |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels |
|
Members | Stuart Braithwaite Dominic Aitchison Martin Bulloch Barry Burns |
Past members | Brendan O'Hare John Cummings |
Website | www.mogwai.scot |
Mogwai (
The band were for several years signed to Glasgow label
Mogwai's tenth album, As the Love Continues, reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart on 26 February 2021.[citation needed]
History
Formation (1991–1995)
Stuart Braithwaite and Dominic Aitchison met in April 1991, and four years later formed Mogwai with old schoolfriend Martin Bulloch.[3] The band's name comes from the name of the creatures in the feature film Gremlins, although guitarist Stuart Braithwaite comments that "it has no significant meaning and we always intended on getting a better one, but like a lot of other things we never got round to it."[4] The word mogwai means "evil spirit" or "devil" in Cantonese.[5]
The band debuted in February 1996 with the "Tuner"/"Lower" single and by the end of the year they received 'single of the week' from NME for "Summer", a feat repeated early in 1997 with "New Paths to Helicon".[3] After playing a few shows the band expanded with the introduction of John Cummings on guitar, and then Teenage Fanclub drummer Brendan O'Hare joined while they recorded their debut album Mogwai Young Team.[3]
Mogwai Young Team (1995–1997)
The album, released in October 1997, reached No. 75 on the
Come On Die Young (1998–1999)
Rock Action (2000–2001)
The band's 2001 album Rock Action gave them their then-highest UK album chart placing, reaching No. 23.[3] The album was less guitar-led than previously, featuring more electronics; a larger than usual number of tracks also featured vocals, and guest vocalists included David Pajo of Slint, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. Shortly afterwards the band released "My Father My King", a cacophonous 20-minute song which closed their Rock Action-period shows, and was billed as a companion piece to the album.[7]
Happy Songs For Happy People (2002–2003)
Mogwai's 2003 album
Mr Beast (2004–2006)
In March 2006, the album
The Hawk Is Howling (2007–2008)
The band's sixth studio album was recorded from late 2007 until early 2008, and was released in September 2008. It was the first Mogwai album not to feature vocals, and was also the first to be self-produced by the band; the album was recorded by
Burning / Special Moves (2009–2010)
In 2010 the band released their first live film (Burning, filmed by Vincent Moon and Nathanaël Le Scouarnec, which premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival in February) and live album (called Special Moves). Burning contains eight tracks from the band's Brooklyn shows during their 2008/2009 American tour, whilst Special Moves adds nine more tracks from the same source.[13][14] Special Moves was the first release on Mogwai's own Rock Action records, named after Stooges drummer Scott Asheton, who had his name changed to Rock Action.[4]
Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (2011–2013)
In September 2010, Mogwai left longtime North American distributor Matador Records, and signed with
In 2012 a remix album, A Wrenched Virile Lore was released which included tracks from Hardcore... remixed by numerous artists including Xander Harris, The Soft Moon, Robert Hampson and Justin Broadrick. The album, whose title is almost an anagram of "Hardcore Will Never Die" was again released by Sub Pop in the US, and Rock Action Records elsewhere.[18][19]
Rave Tapes (2013–2015)
In July 2013, Mogwai performed their
They announced their eighth
An EP titled Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1. on Rock Action was released on 1 December 2014 featuring three new tracks from the Rave Tapes sessions, along with three remixes of tracks from that album by Blanck Mass, Pye Corner Audio and Nils Frahm. The EP was recorded in Glasgow with Paul Savage.[27][28]
In June 2015 Mogwai played a series of high-profile shows in the UK and Ireland, climaxing with two nights at the
On 15 November 2015, the band announced that guitarist John Cummings had left to pursue his own projects.[32]
Every Country's Sun (2016–2019)
In April 2016, Braithwaite told the Guardian that the band were writing new songs and would be travelling to the US later in the year to record a new album with Dave Fridmann, who produced Rock Action some 15 years previously.[33] On 25 November, Fridmann announced that the band had started recording the album with him.[34] On 3 March 2017, the band announced that they had completed recording and were mastering the album at Abbey Road Studios.[35] The band have announced a worldwide tour to coincide with the release of the new album, starting with dates in Europe in October before visiting North America in November, and finally playing in their home city of Glasgow in December.[36]
On 14 May 2017, the band announced the new album would be named Every Country's Sun and would be released on 1 September 2017. They also shared the first song "Coolverine".[37] On 2 June, Mogwai played a show at Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona, only announced on the day, which consisted of Every Country's Sun played in full.[38]
As the Love Continues (2020–present)
On 29 October 2020, Mogwai announced a new album,
Soundtracks and other work
In 2006, the band provided the soundtrack to the film
In 2015 the band supplied the music for
In 2016 Braithwaite took part in a documentary about Glasgow music, and Chemikal Underground Records, called Lost in France. The film was directed by Niall McCann and brought Braithwaite (along with members of The Delgados, Franz Ferdinand and others) to Mauron, Brittany, to recreate a gig they played just after Mogwai had formed. The film features Mogwai live, as well as footage of Braithwaite playing Mogwai tracks solo and interviews with Braithwaite and his old label-mates such as Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand), Emma Pollock (The Delgados) and Stewart Henderson (The Delgados). It premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival to positive reviews and was called "Funny, vital and sobering" by Scotland's arts magazine The Skinny.[54]
In August 2018 Mogwai released the
Musical style
The band's influences include Fugazi, MC5, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Pixies, The Cure and post-rock pioneers Slint,[59] and Braithwaite also listed guitarist John McGeoch as an inspiration.[60] Mogwai's style has easily identifiable connections to genres such as shoegaze, math rock, and art rock. Debut album Mogwai Young Team was described as "stunningly dynamic...[shifting] seamlessly from tranquil, bleakly beautiful soundscapes to brain scrambling white noise and sledgehammer riffing".[3] Douglas Wolk, writing for SPIN in 1999 said of the band: "Their compositions have gotten increasingly drawn-out and austere over time, sometimes barely more than a single arpeggiated chord or two evolving for ten minutes or more, whisperingly brutal in a way that recalls Slint more than any other band".[6] Barry Burns once stated in an interview that he and the rest of the band do not like the categorisation of post-rock because he believes it over-analyses everything.[61]
Their strong international fanbase is based, in part, on the band's music being largely lyric-free.[57] Braithwaite has commented on the absence of lyrics in most of Mogwai's music, saying:
I think most people are not used to having no lyrics to focus on. Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along and when they can't do that with us they can get a bit upset.
— Stuart Braithwaite, The Express[1]
Band members
- Current members
- Stuart Braithwaite – guitar, bass, vocals (1995–present)
- Dominic Aitchison – bass, guitar, keyboards (1995–present)
- Martin Bulloch – drums (1995–present)
- Barry Burns – guitar, keyboards, bass, synthesizer, flute, vocals (1998–present)
- Current touring musicians
- Alex Mackay – guitar, keyboards, percussion (2016–present)
- Maria Sappho – keyboards (2024–present; substitute for Barry Burns)
- Former members
- Brendan O'Hare – keyboards, guitar (1997)
- John Cummings – guitar, programming, bass, drums, keyboards (1995–2015)
- Former touring musicians
- Luke Sutherland – violin, guitar, vocals, percussion (1998–2016)
- James Hamilton – drums (2011–2013; substitute for Martin Bulloch)
- Scott Paterson – guitar (2015; substitute for John Cummings, 2021; substitute for Alex Mackay)
- Cat Myers – drums (2017–2018; substitute for Martin Bulloch)[62]
Timeline
Discography
- Mogwai Young Team (1997)
- Come On Die Young (1999)
- Rock Action (2001)
- Happy Songs for Happy People (2003)
- Mr Beast (2006)
- The Hawk Is Howling (2008)
- Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will(2011)
- Rave Tapes (2014)
- Every Country's Sun (2017)
- As the Love Continues (2021)
See also
- List of post-rock bands
- List of bands from Glasgow
- List of Scottish musicians
References
- ^ a b Dunk, Marcus (23 October 1999). "forget the vocals – just come on and feel the noise" (Reprint). Daily Express. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
- ^ Mardles, Paul (19 February 2006). "Mogwai, Mr. Beast". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 872
- ^ a b c "FAQ". mogwai.co.uk. 2006. Archived from the original on 21 April 2006.
- ISBN 9780748631872.
- ^ CMJ New Music Monthly, May 1999. Retrieved 17 April 2010
- ^ Scott Herren (16 January 2005). "My Father My King review". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ "Happy Songs for Happy People on Billboard". Billboard. 5 July 2003. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
- ^ "Questions of Doom: Alan McGee". Archived from the original on 29 September 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
- ^ Phares, Heather. "Mr Beast – review". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ "Mogwai – Recording The Hawk is Howling". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
- ^ Galloway, Vic (2010) "Voice of New Music in Scotland", News of the World (Scottish edition), 21 February 2010, p. 2
- ^ a b "Mogwai's movie 'Burning' to premiere at Glasgow Film Festival – video", NME, 21 January 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2010
- ^ "Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will". Mogwai Official Web Site. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- The Official Charts Company. acharts.us. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will". Rough Trade US. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ "A Wrenched Virile Lore". Mogwai. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ^ "Mogwai / A Wrenched Virile Lore – SP1033". Sub Pop. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
- ^ Meighan, Nicola. "A Thirsty Conspiracy: Mogwai & Douglas Gordon Talk Zidane". The Quietus. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ "Mogwai – Royal Festival Hall". Southbank Centre. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ "ATP End Of An Era Part 2". ATP. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
- ^ Amy Phillips; Evan Minsker (28 October 2013). "Mogwai Announce New Album Rave Tapes". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ^ "MOGWAI ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM RAVE TAPES". FACT Mag. The Vinyl Factory. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- ^ "Mogwai's Rave Tapes makes UK top 10". FACT. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
- ^ "Arctic Monkeys and Mogwai lead the best vinyl sales figures in a decade". FACT. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
- ^ "Mogwai announce new EP, 'Music Industry 3 Fitness Industry 1'". NME. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Mogwai Announce Music Industry 3. Fitness Industry 1. EP, Share "Teenage Exorcists"". Pitchfork. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Mogwai announce 20th anniversary shows". Music News. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "A Mogwai season at the Roundhouse". Camden Roundhouse. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Mogwai celebrate 20 years with Central Belters compilation". FACT Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Mogwai :: News :: Statement". mogwai.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- ^ "Mogwai webchat". The Guardian. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ^ Fridmann, Dave. "News and notes". davefridmann.com. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- ^ "Instagram post by mogwaiband". Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ "Mogwai finish new album, announce 2017 world tour, officially start taking creative credit for their band name". tinymixtapes.com. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- ^ "Mogwai announce new album 'Every Country's Sun'". Rock Action. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ Milton, Jamie (3 June 2017). "Mogwai perform new album in full at secret Primavera show". NME.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ Eede, Christian. "Mogwai Detail New Album, 'As The Love Continues'". The Quietus. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ Jones, Damian (15 February 2021). "Mogwai live in Glasgow: the white noise specialists unleash their latest record". NME. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (26 February 2021). "Mogwai score first No 1 album after 25 years: 'It's totally surreal'". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Mercury prize 2021: first-time nominees dominate shortlist". the Guardian. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ MacDonald, John (2007) "Mogwai Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait", Prefix, 21 June 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2010
- ^ Ankeny, Jason "Mogwai Biography", AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2010
- ^ Hubert, Andrea (2010) "The Guide: film: London Short Film Festival: London", The Guardian, 2 January 2010, p. 21
- ^ Young, Alex (2010) "Mogwai, Dan Deacon, Voxtrot donate tracks to PEACE", Consequence of Sound, 16 April 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2010
- ^ Martins, Chris. "Mogwai Release Haunting Score for French Zombie Show 'Les Revenants'". Spin. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ Beck, Adam (12 November 2015). "Life is Strange Limited Edition Announced". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Cousins, Mark. "BBC Storyville: Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise".
- ^ Geslani, Michelle (12 January 2016). "Mogwai announce new album, Atomic, share "U-235"". Consequence of Sound.
- ^ Gordon, Jeremy (12 January 2016). "Mogwai Announce New Album Atomic, Share "U-235"". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Atomic : Out April 1st". Mogwai. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ Reed, Ryan. "Mogwai Plot 2017 North American 'Atomic' Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- ^ Porteous, Lewis. "Alex Kapranos on Glasgow music doc Lost in France". The Skinny. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
- ^ "Kin". Rock Action Records. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Ede, Christiane. "Mogwai To Release 'ZeroZeroZero' Soundtrack". The Quietus. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Mogwai get new lease of life thanks to hit drama The Returned". The Independent. 25 October 2015. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (11 July 2022). "Mogwai share soundtrack for new Apple TV+ series 'Black Bird'". NME. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-84353-105-0, p. 684-6
- ISBN 978-1913172664,
[Stuart Braithwaite :] John McGeoch was the best post-punk guitarist. He played like no-one else, totally distinct and with unyielding imagination. I hear his influence everywhere to this day. A total legend.
- ^ "Chillville Interviews Mogwai". Chillville.com. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
- ^ "Martin". Mogwai official website. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
External links
- Mogwai's official website
- Mogwai at the Internet Archive's Live Music Archive
- Bright light! – unofficial website with complete gigography, articles and interviews
- My Life's Playlist: Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite Archived 9 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine [PIAS]'s Blog - 21 April 2015