Forming in Tokyo back in 1999, Japanese rock band Mono consist of Takaakira Goto (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Hideki Suematsu (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Tamaki Kunishi (bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, glockenspiel), and Yasunori Takada (drum kit, glockenspiel, synthesizer). With six studio albums under their belt, the band built their reputation on touring relentlessly from 1999 to 2003, around Asia, Europe, and America and will now return to Australia during June to bring ‘For My Parents to life.
For My Parents was released last October, have you enjoyed playing those tracks live?
Yes, it’s always special to play these songs live even though they are not easy to play. There is just an incredible energy during the shows.
Can you tell us about the recording process, how do you try and capture your amazing live show on record?
We had some minor challenges with the sound in Henry Hirsch’s studio but it was all for the best. I think we just weren’t used to the dynamic at first, especially after recording in a different studio with Steven Albini for so many years. But it was important to step out of our comfort zone. The studio of Henry has very special atmosphere and it is a very spiritual place. We used analog tape and an old vintage mixer so it made the sounds really soulful. Then we brought multi separate tracks to our longtime friend Fred Weaver to mix in Pennsylvania. Finally, Bob Weston from Shellac did the mastering. We are so very thankful to all of them and are very happy with new album.
You worked with the Wordless Music Orchestra again for this record, how did that collaboration begin?
After I finished composing the songs / demos / scores I immediately thought that we should collaborate again with The Wordless Music Orchestra for new album. The live experience of Holy Ground definitely inspired me, and it made me a bit more confident about orchestral composition. I’d been wanting to create an original piece of music that had not been done before so I experimented with this. So we sent the scores to the orchestra and began preparations to record.
What was behind your decision to part ways with Steve Albini on this record?
We will always love and respect Steve Albini It was just important for us to try something unfamiliar so that is why we sought out another producer. It was a way to challenge ourselves and get out of our comfort zone.
Having developed such a distinctive sound, is there ever a desire you to head in a different musical direction?
We want to allow ourselves to evolve naturally, so we try not to think too much about the style or direction. If we feel drawn toward a certain sound and emotion, then we’ll trust our intuition. My old best friend told me “music is like a bridge where people can meet and share. There are already so many things that divide us. Music and any other art form can be at least one thing that connects us. I would say that I appreciate the living attitude that we are made of the same thing and can find ways to connect regardless of where we come from.
Great music can connect to the sub-conscience of a listener. So many great composers and predecessors knew about it and they’ve tried to find the best way. I think we compose our songs similar to building a big church using many bricks, one at a time. Imagine our body – each organ has its own purpose and is connected perfectly, this is why we can live. I think it’s the same with music. We have to be a scientist of music if we want to share emotion with someone.
We understand you’re enlisting the largest chamber orchestra you’ve ever played with for the Dark Mofo Festival. Can you tell us a bit about your show for the festival, and other shows on this tour?
We actually are not going to play with the orchestra at the Dark Mofo Festival.But we hope to bring good energy, new songs, and old songs.
Is there anyone or anything you’re looking forward to seeing at Dark Mofo?
Our good friends from Boris will be playing at the festival so we’re looking forward to seeing them. They are an amazing band.
You’ve toured around the world plenty of times; do you have a favourite place to play or significant highlight?
We feel very fortunate to have shared our music with so many countries. It’s too difficult to pick a favorite because each place holds special memories. We recently toured Mexico and the energy of that show was amazing. We’re also looking forward to visiting Australia down under!
Much of what you write is described as cinematic; do landscapes or your environment provide inspiration?
I think music is a visceral, spiritual experience. It has the ability to communicate a sort of transcendence from the chaos of everyday living. So we’re inspired by all these questions and possibilities of the universe that we live in. We’re also inspired by stories, films, and artists Beethoven and Led Zeppelin.
Do you ever get sick of answering questions about your guitar pedals and effects?
Not really, I guess they are normal questions. We are using pretty old stuff so sometimes it’s not easy to find the exact same pedals / guitar when we need a sub. They have been breaking during the long tours?
Which bands are getting you excited about music at the moment?
The new My Bloody Valentine
Which living artist would you most like to collaborate with?
I would ask Marissa Nadle to play the whistle. I love her voice too.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
We seem to like poetic, small stories told in big, epic ways. So maybe a film like this would be fitting?
Mono 2013 Australian Tour
THUR 20 JUNE Auckland KINGS ARMS
plus special guest MICK TURNER
FRI 21 JUNE Wellington BODEGA
plus special guest MICK TURNER
SAT 22 JUNE Hobart DARK MOFO Satanalia
plus Boris, The Drones, The Stickmen, Barbarion, Fourteen Nights at Sea, Kangaroo Skull, A Dead Forest Index, Angel Eyes and more
SUN 23 JUNE – Melbourne THE HIFI
plus special guest MICK TURNER
WED 26 JUNE – Brisbane THE HIFI
plus special guest MICK TURNER
THUR 27 JUNE – Sydney THE HIFI
plus special guest MICK TURNER
