Interviews
Stuart Braithwaite from Mogwai talks to Britsound
Monsters in the Closet: A Conversation with Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite
Interview by Gina Pantone
While the 80's brought a slew of terrible ideas to the world—helmet head, the Super Bowl Shuffle, shoulder pads, etc—a little-known director by the name of Stephen Spielberg was making a cult classic. It involved slimy monsters from Asia, brought to the West by a curious father, which would eventually wreck havoc on a small town just in time for Christmas. The Gremlins not only encouraged generations to become gluttonous at the midnight hour, but it inspired a group of Scottish post rockers to name their band—and Mogwai was born. Lyricist and guitarist Stuart Braithwaite takes some time out on an afternoon in Edinburgh to talk to Britsound about his demons, or lack thereof.
Britsound: I have to say, your band name has always ranked amongst my favorites—I know you'll vehemently disagree, but anything that conjures up images of slimy creatures from China and Bonsai trees has to be well regarded.
Stuart Braithwaite: Really? I think it's rubbish, actually. I suppose if you look at it like that it's pretty cool. It's from the movie Gremlins. We've since found out it was Chinese for ghost or demon, as if we actually sat around and read Chinese dictionaries or something, when in reality that was bull***—we got it from a Steven Spielberg film.
B: A lot of critics have used the term "apocalyptic" to describe Mogwai's sound, would you equate your music with a fiery mass death?
SB: I don't know if we're that precise about it, but I think it's just the noise that we like. I think it's just something that really appeals to us. It comes pretty naturally.
B: If such a soundtrack exists, would you be up for the job?
SB: I think so, but how would you get paid in the end—with everyone being destroyed? That's a problem. I think Satan might send you a bad check.
B: Do you feel that "Mr. Beast" has finally achieved your ideal level of loudness that you are known for live?
SB: To be honest, it's not something we're as obsessed with live. At the shows, we're trying to think more about the actual sound—rather than just the volume. But with the record, it's good to think that with technology, there are always more ways to squeeze the most out of noise frequency.
B: You have been openly critical with the British music press (particularly NME) for being too soft; do you feel that this is solely a UK journalistic issue?
SB: I don't know, I think mainly it's the mainstream press in England. They're really scared to chastise something that someone else thinks is essential. They don't actually listen to things and judge them on their merit. That's not everyone, there are a few writers that are pretty honest, but generally there is no point in even reading reviews. Especially now, when you can just go and listen to it on the Internet and see if it is good yourself.
B: So you feel American critics are more honest?
SB: I think it is a bit different. I don't think the quality of writing is particularly better, but I think people are a little less afraid to say what they actually feel in America than they are in England.
B: Your latest rant on your website is about James Blunt. When you see him at Coachella, do you think you'll punch him in the face?
SB: No, but I don't think that I really want to hear his music. He was in the Army! I don't think I'd want to fight someone that could definitely batter me. You'd have to pay me a lot of money, because he'd punch me back—a lot harder than I could probably punch him. I think they got him on because they chose the bill by picking names out of a hat. That's just my opinion.
B: Is it difficult to get noticed in Glasgow?
SB: It has a really good scene, but it also has a lot of really good venues. I think that's the reason why it has so many good bands. People are very approachable, so it's very easy to get a base. It's not like if someone sells a bunch of records, they are going to start drinking in a different bar. I think it's growing all the time.
B: Is it difficult being a post rock band? Do you feel you don't get as much attention because a large portion of your music is instrumental?
SB: I think it just depends from band to band—musician to musician. I know some amazing bands that have tried to do instrumental music and it hasn't worked. I certainly know that not everything we've done has been a massive success with vocals.
B: So what can we expect on the Mr. Beast tour....strippers, mimes, pyrotechnics...
SB: I think it's going to be the same old. We've got an extra musician, a slightly less ugly member who's a bit younger than us that plays keyboards. That's pretty much about as exciting as it gets. We're all going to stroke him in a loving way. I think we've been playing quite well recently, we've been happy with the shows we've done in the last couple weeks.
B: Do you ever feel like you should take yourself more seriously?
SB: No. There are enough people taking us seriously I think, that we're the last people that should. We take our music so seriously that it takes all the seriousness out of our characters.
B: So being able to laugh at yourself is essential...
SB: Very important. It's a national pastime in Scotland.
