Mono Q&A

A rare interview with the Japanese post-rock maestros, set to touch down in the UK next month for some very special shows

Posted Wednesday, 4 May 2011 in

Mono Mono are less a band to some people and more a mysterious religion. They rarely do... well, anything, surfacing every couple of years to do a couple of shows here and there or maybe release an album, so the news they were coming to London to play what's set to be an amazing show with the Holy Ground Orchestra next month was greeted rather well in the RS office. They're playing a few other dates as well - without the orchestra, but they'll still be epic - so we stole some time with them to ask a few questions.

The intricacy and scale of a show like this means you can't tour like most other bands - three months at a time etc. Would you prefer to spend longer on the road or do you like the fact your shows are relatively rare?
Says guitarist Takaakira 'Taka' Goto: "Playing with a chamber orchestra has become a part of our style for these larger shows, yet we also know that we cannot have an orchestra for an entire tour. We like that these orchestra shows are relatively rare and something that we save for special occasions (like this one). It's good for us to change things up a bit. Our plan is to continue pursuing these two styles (with orchestra and without orchestra) and see how things unfold naturally."

If you could play a show anywhere in the world - not necessarily in a venue - where would you play? And why?
"South America and any other places that we have not visited yet. Life is short and we'd be honored to take our show to someplace new."

Do you have any plans to release a new album or EP?
"We are composing songs for a new album now and hope to record it by the end of this year."

On the surface, Mono has existed in much the same form for over a decade. Have there been any events behind the scenes that people might be surprised to know about?
"The four of us have grown together as a band and as a family. There have been some major challenges, tragedy, and triumphs behind the scenes. I think we are more conscious of our strengths and weaknesses as musicians as well. Living through these things together have made us stronger and more respectful of one another."

How do you all occupy your time when not on tour or doing band stuff?
"I like to read books, especially ones about composers' lives and music history. When we have some time off, I am constantly thinking about the harmony between human beings and music. But we are songwriting or practicing as much as possible even during our breaks. I just think it's important for us to keep the momentum. We will go on vacation after a long tour but after we clear our minds, we're back in the studio."

What are your personal memories of writing 'Hymn To The immortal Wind'?
"The collaboration with Heeya, who wrote the Hymn story, was definitely the most important, greatest thing. It made everything about this album."

You've collaborated with various musicians over the past decade, who else would you like to work with?
"I would love to collaborate with Ennio Morricone and Arvo Pärt."

Mono play:

JUNE
06 - BRIGHTON Concorde 2
07 - LONDON Koko (with the Holy Ground Orchestra)
08 - BRISTOL The Fleece
09 - MANCHESTER Sound Control
10 - GLASGOW The Arches