Last week tableau got an exclusive interview with Barry Burns, the pianist and guitarist for Scottish rock group Mogwai. Here's what Barry had to say:
tableau: You mentioned that [Mogwai is] "a bit noisy." You guys have a reputation for being one of the noisiest bands in the music world. What do you think about that?
BB: We want to be the noisiest band. I think we're one of the loudest; I don't think we're one of the noisiest anymore. Bands like Sutton and bands like that, that are much noisier than we are. But I suppose we've still got some chinks in the music. We're not really that noisy -- not like we used to be. Also it doesn't take away from any melodies. I actually like the fact that we're one of the noisiest bands, I don't know why.
tableau: Is there any musical evolution throughout your albums, because you said you weren't as noisy as you used to be?
BB: Yeah, the first album was really noisy and the second album was completely sort of opposite with one huge build-up over the course of the album. It wasn't as much quiet-loud-quiet as the first three kind of were. And the third was quite melodic. I don't think the band really liked that third album, Rock Action, as much. ... I think it was kind of a low point. And the second album we started to use sort of traditional pop and stuff like that.
tableau: Can you describe the studio process throughout?
BB: Before we go into the studio we have probably 70 percent of the songs almost finished and we make up the other 30 percent or whatever when we're in there. Usually one person has an idea for the song and we sort of just play it together for quite a long time before we go to the studio. Then it changes in the studio again until the last days and it keeps getting changed about, it's quite a cycle. Yeah, and that's what we do. We usually just trust each other with the music that we have to make. No one tells anyone else what to do, kind of thing. It can be kind of autonomous even though we're in a band. It's nice.
tableau: Can you describe your relationship with the other members?
BB: We're not terrible and we are really nice people. I think that we're quite lucky, well I know that we're quite lucky because it's ... good music. We're all really good friends. It's essential for that to happen, because it's difficult to be so close to people and not like them. We're lucky.
tableau: And the inspiration for the music for this album?
BB: Eh, I dunno. I think we just wanted to go and hurry up and make another album. We shouldn't have come to America to do the Cure tour because we should've been writing this album, but we decided it was something we wanted to do. I can't think of any explanation, I think we just wanted to make new music.
tableau: Can you describe your first performance with the band?
BB: I played in Scotland and I had a flute. I think I had a flute and that was it and maybe a small piano or something like that. I was just really scared because I had never been on a stage with so many people looking at me or at least laughing at me. I was so paranoid that everybody was looking at me. I think I was quite nervous I can't really remember it because I just went blank.
tableau: Speaking of tours, do you have any future tour dates or plans?
BB: We're leaving to come to America at the end of this month and we're going to be there. Then we're going to go to Mexico before we come home and then another huge sort of U.K. European tour as well, and then back to America for another month. Then it's the festivals, like general live festivals in Europe and we can probably come back to America for the third time. Then Japan and Australia and places like. So it's going to be a busy year.
tableau: Which is your favorite place to play?
BB: Japan, I think, because it's such a weird place and really interesting. Yeah, and I just really enjoy it.
tableau: Do you have any other comments on Mr. Beast or your past albums?
BB: If you like miserable music and you like to sit in your room then I think this is the musical wallpaper for you.
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