The band were originally signed to renowned Glasgow indie label Chemikal Underground, but call a number of labels home, being distributed by different labels such as Matador in the United States and Play it again Sam Records in the United Kingdom. They have also developed their own label called Rock Action Records, named after guitarist Ron Asheton of The Stooges, who had his name changed to Rock Action.
Mogwai are named after the creatures from the film Gremlins (the word itself is Cantonese for 'ghost' or 'hunter' dependant on the semi or literal translation), although Braithwaite comments that "it has no significant meaning and we always intended on getting a better one [name], but like a lot of other things we never got round to it.".
Their style has been influenced by such bands as The Cure, Joy Division, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, and post-rock granddaddies Slint. During 2004 the band were handed support slots on the tours of two of their heroes, the Pixies and The Cure. It has easily identifiable connections to genres like shoegaze, math rock, art rock, and occasionally instrumental metal. While Mogwai's sound bears little resemblance to punk rock, the band seems to identify closely with the punk ethic.
Mogwai's influence on the indie rock scene can be heard in the work of Explosions in the Sky, Italians Giardini di Mirò, Qatsi, and most other contemporary post-rock.
The fifth Mogwai album, Mr. Beast, was released in March 2006 and returned to the heavier sounds of 1997's Mogwai Young Team. Mr. Beast saw Mogwai dropping most of their "post-rock" crescendoing with songs developing more like rock, with direct hooks and lyrics.
Mogwai produced the remix track of 'Plans' on the British group Bloc Party's 2005 album Silent Alarm Remixed.
In October 2006 Mogwai returned with a soundtrack to the documentary of global football star Zinedine Zidane called Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, released through their own label Rock Action. They have also released a soundtrack to Darren Aronofsky's 'The Fountain' in collaboration with Clint Mansell and the Kronos Quartet.
The Hawk is Howling was released in September 2008.
In February 2011 the band released their 7th Studio Album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. And, in July 2013, Mogwai performed their soundtrack to Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait for the first time at a number of dates across the UK. Shortly afterwards, on 5 August, the band revealed via Twitter that they were recording a new studio album at Castle of Doom Studios, released in early 2014 called Rave Tapes.
Guitarist John Cummings left the band in 2015.
2016 saw the band take part in two soundtracks. Atomic was released in April for the documentary 'Atomic, Living in Dread and Promise', and was composed entirely by the band. They also contributed to Before the Flood (Music from the Motion Picture), which featured Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Gustavo Santaolalla.
In 2017, Mogwai released Every Country's Sun, their ninth studio album, which heralded a return to their earlier sound.
Mogwai appeared on another film soundtrack in 2018. Helicon 1, from their 1997 album Ten Rapid, was featured on the original motion picture soundtrack of ‘Beautiful Boy’.
Lineup:
Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals)
Barry Burns (guitar, keyboards, vocals)
Dominic Aitchison (bass)
Martin Bulloch (drums)
Official website:
http://www.mogwai.co.uk/
I Know You Are But What Am I?
Mogwai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
As the lyrics to Mogwai's song "A Place for Parks" are purely instrumental without any vocals, there is no lyrical interpretation to be provided. However, the song's composition and musical structure suggest a contemplative atmosphere through its mellow guitar melodies and steady rhythms. The song's gradual build-up of different layers and the addition of distorted guitar riffs towards the end add a sense of tension and edge to the otherwise calm and serene soundscape.
Therefore, the interpretation of the song can vary depending on the listener's own interpretation and personal experiences. Perhaps the song's title, "A Place for Parks," can evoke a sense of nature and tranquility, or perhaps it can refer to a abstract location or idea that the listener can interpret in their own way. Ultimately, the beauty of instrumental music lies in its ability to inspire unique and individualized experiences and interpretations.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FRANCIS BARRY BURNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alain Scarcez
M0dEx What are you doing here?
What do you want?
Is it music?
We can play music.
But you want more.
You want something & someone new.
Am I right?
Of course I am.
I know what you want.
You want ectasy
Desire & dreams.
Things not exactly what they seem.
I lead you this way, he pulls that way.
I’m not singing to an imaginary girl.
I’m talking to you, my self.
Let’s recreate the world.
The place of conception is burning.
Look. See it burn.
Bask in the warm hot coals.
You’re too young to be old
You don’t need to be told
You want things as they are.
You know exactly what I do
Everything
Youcelyn diaz
i used to climb walls
filled with love
burning with passion
i used to look at sunsets
as the sun burned the holes
in my soles
i could not bare the hot ground anymore
i questioned why
and i never knew
i kept wanting to walk
just to peep a look
at that dreadful sun.
just to go wish it
envy
now my soles are gone.
my head rests on your bay
i watch the sun
burn my walls.
and i am only now
just a display.
Lily Bailey
I feel this music as if it were a person telling me to stay calm and feel better.
Fanny Levie
Nah, it's about climax...
Thibaut Gonzalez
Waves talks
Nada Nada
Exactly 😞
Moose
Nah this music plays in the background of a very serious conversation between two people who haven't talked in a while, but are either very good friends/enemies/frenemies
a1W6av1e8
this song somehow makes your paint doodle seem like an absolute masterpiece.
Ashkan92
It is a masterpiece
danielraul1989
Perfect song to get up at 4 in the morning and go for a drive, not to anywhere not for anything just for a drive, no phone, no kids, no interruptions just you in your little metal shell.
SaiyanKurosaki
Top Gear has some amazing music choices
Лешка Заец
Alone time