Below is an email interview conducted with Mogwai guitarist Barry Burns by Monkeyclaus writer Matthew Clark. This comes in the wake a tremendous live Mogwai set at the Satellite Ballroom in Charlottesville, Virginia. The newest Mogwai release Mr. Beast was recorded at their new studio "Castle of Doom" in Glasgow and certainly reflects all of what you'd imagine a doomy castle to be...beautiful, cold, spooky and awe-inspiring...

<!--more-->

<strong>MC:</strong> Firstly Barry, I'd like to thank you for your time and granting us this interview...
My first question is... do you have other musical projects you personally
pursue during Mogwai's downtime? And what about the other members?

<strong>BB:</strong> No. We do have our own Mogwai owned label called Rock Action Records but
none of us do any other musical things, we don't have time.

<strong>MC:</strong> Your music has enabled you to tour the world and play such exotic and far
away places as Chile, Iceland, Russia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil, and of
course much of Europe and North America...I also see you are soon to be
playing Mexico...Do you have any favorite show experiences? Was there ever
anything particularly bizarre or magical that you encountered/experienced?
Any stories to tell?

<strong>BB:</strong> We like to go places we've never been before more than anything else
although playing in Japan is always a great experience because of the
efficiency of the crews there, the great crowds and the whole culture. I am
freaked out about once a day by one thing or another while on tour. There
are too many mental stories to remember.

<strong>MC:</strong> Over the past ten years the band has evolved and gained widespread acclaim
and a rather enthusiastic and broad fanbase? When you all began playing
together did you ever dream that things would blow up on this level?

<strong>BB:</strong> No. It's still quite surprising how many people come and see us play (and
buy our records). They are fools to like such miserable music.

<strong>MC:</strong> One mission of Monkeyclaus is to use the power of music to promote positive
change in the world...There are a lot of creative ways of doing this through
the power of the internet...Radiohead, for instance, has an amazing website
on many levels but what particularly strikes me is their social angle... and
just knowing that they have such a captive audience and they are saying such
positive and radical things. Does Mogwai have any causes they champion, or
do you personally have issues that you wish to raise the public awareness of?

<strong>BB:</strong> No. Musicians look stupid when they try and champion causes, without fail.
They should always stick to music. It pisses me off, especially Bono.

<strong>MC:</strong> What music has been inspiring you lately? Are there any bands who you feel are deserving of attention that are currently under the radar?

<strong>BB:</strong> Been listening to a band called Torche who we played with on this tour along
with Growing, another great band.

<strong>MC:</strong> What else besides music inspires you?

<strong>BB:</strong> Honestly? Really good food.

Share

Save