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/
YES
Mogwai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Mogwai's song, "Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home," are deep and insightful, conveying a sense of trance-like state induced by music. The opening lines suggest that music can strip an individual of their existence, or deprive them of a sneaking feeling of existing, conjuring the image of a listener losing themselves in music. The power of music is then emphasized as being bigger than words and wider than pictures, expressing the idea that it can transcend the limitations of language and conventional communication.
The lines "If someone said that Mogwai are the stars I would not object. If the stars had a sound it would sound like this" serve as a metaphor for the band's music, elevating it to cosmic proportions. The following lines indicate that there may be negative consequences to such explicitly solemn words- the punishment can be hard. The song takes a darker turn in the subsequent verse, where blood boiling seems to be caused by a noisy tape that the singer has heard, conveying an almost physical reaction to the sound.
The song concludes with the striking and enigmatic line, "On Saturday, the sky will crumble together (or something) with a huge bang to fit into the cave." This ending suggests a cataclysmic event or a sense of impending doom that is sure to unfold, with the metaphor of the sky crumbling to fit into a cave indicating a sense of confinement and claustrophobia.
Line by Line Meaning
'Cause this music can put a human being in a trance like state and deprive it for the sneaking feeling of existing.
This music has the power to mesmerize and transport the listener to a state where they forget their existence.
'Cause music is bigger than words and wider than pictures.
Music has a greater capacity to convey emotions than words or visuals ever could.
If someone said that Mogwai are the stars I would not object.
I wouldn't disagree if someone claimed that Mogwai's music is as celestial and ethereal as the stars themselves.
If the stars had a sound it would sound like this.
Mogwai's music embodies the same celestial and enigmatic quality as the sounds of the stars.
The punishment for these solemn words can be hard.
Expressing these profound thoughts through music can be difficult and emotionally taxing.
Can blood boil like this at the sound of a noisy tape that I've heard.
Can music have such a visceral and intense impact on a listener, like the feeling of boiling blood?
I know one thing.
One thing I know for sure...
On Saturday, the sky will crumble together (or something) with a huge bang to fit into the cave.
The music will be so intense and powerful that it will seem like the sky and the cave are merging together in a monumental collision.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DOMINIC AITCHISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matthewdevereux1288
Sally at Oxford University 1996 I fell for you head over heels and you had this album and we listened to it in your bedroom and I tried to make it work with you but it never worked out I hear you are married now I wish you every success in the world you are a beautiful woman and you are so amazingly and coruscatingly intelligent when I hear this now I am transported right back to your room with your desk and bed and papers and cd player and me all drunk on super strength lager trying to make you laugh you are amazing I will love you always
@planestranger
I remember listening to this album late at night, sleepless, two days before the war... I could already feel its coming. But this track was... helping me to keep myself together.
@brandndoacm924
This is why music has ALWAYS been my best friend.
@popeofbears559
I don’t know how I got here...but I think I will stay
@jensssskljhdkhs
If someone said that Mogwai are the stars, I would not object
@nomis3563
One of the best albums I have ever Heard thanks John peel back in 97 🤟
@bnk57
Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.
@DavidTMSN
You are correct. All there is anymore is love, there has to be. We're coming close to the edge of the cliff, and we're all about to take that plunge into the unknown.
@fruitypeebils
gaaaay
@rahxeira
Real love doesn’t exist