Scottish rockers Mogwai turn it up

Scottish band Mogwai.

Twenty years into their career, Scottish rockers Mogwai are busier than ever with a scary TV soundtrack and a new album to tour. They talk to Chris Schulz.

If you're hanging out for season two of awesome French mystery TV show Les Revenants (The Returned), you're not the only one.

It's been two years since the show's first season screened in New Zealand, and its gripping story - about dead relatives mysteriously reappearing years after their death - was heightened by an intensely creepy soundtrack.

Turns out the music was supplied by Scottish prog-rockers Mogwai. They've been asked to do the same for season two, and guitarist and singer Stuart Braithwaite is just as hyped about seeing new episodes as Les Revenants' many fans.

"I thought the show was great," Braithwaite admits from his home near Glasgow. "I was really happy with how it turned out. We were on tour when they were filming so we did quite a lot of the music just from the story and the stills. A lot of people saw The Returned, and we've had to turn down a lot of (soundtrack) offers."

It's fair to say Mogwai are a busy band. Starting work on the soundtrack is the five-piece's next job after they perform in New Zealand tonight their second appearance here that comes on the back of last year's stand out album Rave Tapes.

If you're a newcomer, they're a lot like atmospheric Kiwi prog-metallers Jakob, but with more electronic influences.

That's especially apparent the throbbing, off-kilter synths on a song like Remurdered, which sounds like Kraftwerk jamming with Kid A-era Radiohead.

Vocals are used sparsely and when they are, they're provided by Braithwaite.

"It's pretty obvious (which songs need vocals)," he says. "We just listen to the songs and see what works and what doesn't work. We usually all agree.

"(Writing lyrics) isn't something I do naturally, I do find it a bit of a struggle, but I'm not shy about it. If it works out well it's pretty enjoyable."

There's one song on the album that won't make an appearance live, and that's Repelish - a slow-builder that sends shivers down the spine with its spoken word rant that includes the line, "Gotta live for Satan".

Turns out those words are from an infamous Christian radio rant from the 70s given to the band by Portishead's Geoff Barrow.

They asked a friend to reappraise the words so as "not to get sued," says Braithwaite.

"We liked the song but we thought it needed another element. We tried a bunch of stuff but that was the best one. Our friend thought it was funny. He liked it. He'd just been on a big drive across America and had been listening to Christian radio anyway. He was down with the lingo."

Saturday's show is just Mogwai's second appearance here, and Braithwaite is promising a typically intense night for fans.

He also promises Mogwai haven't turned down the noise - they're known for ridiculously loud concerts - just because they've hit 20.

"I think it's important for music to be a physical experience as well as an aural and visual experience," he says.

"Guitars sound better loud. That's a basic fact ... and I play guitar."

However loud it is in the crowd, Braithwaite admits it's even louder for the band on stage.

"My hearing's not too bad, but it's not brilliant. I'm not noticing it getting any worse. I wear earplugs on stage now, so it's stopping the damage somewhat."

Who: Mogwai
Where: The Powerstation, tonight
Also: New album, Rave Tapes, out now

- TimeOut