As Flaming Wrekage’s brutal fourth album tickles your earholes, you know this is something special. …
For more than 20 years, Japanese noise merchants MONO have not only reshaped what it means to be a heavy band, but how one interprets sounds for pleasure.
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They all use the usual suspects – guitars, drums, bass – but also incorporate off-kilter electronic sounds, glockenspiel, cello, and of course, pitch-bent effects pedals young shoegaze fans can only dream of. What results are tempestuous, intense soundscapes, seemingly without form yet coalesce into something larger than the sum of their parts. Along with countrymen Boris and Merzbow, MONO is an institution for art-rock lovers worldwide. Now celebrating two decades as a truly global phenomenon, we spoke to Takaakira “Taka” Goto (via an interpreter) to find out how MONO has fared over these twenty years, and catch perhaps a glimpse under their often impenetrable, enigmatic veil.
Tell us about the recording of Nowhere Now Here, your 20th anniversary recording and 10th album.
“Nowhere Now Here” became a musical trail of all the troubles we faced as we walked towards our new chapter.
In 2017, because of our troubles and termination with our Japanese management and label, as well as our drummer’s departure, we were in a state of not being able to take one step. We didn’t have any of our schedule locked and we were all in the mood of “if it was a regular band, this is when they’d disband”. We were really in the dark and couldn’t see anything ahead. We were in a crucial time of needing to decide whether the band should reborn or stop its activity.
In result, I left a story about regenerating from the pitch-black darkness which felt like “nowhere”, then through dawn, welcoming the new chapter “now here”.
I thought the only way I could get out of this darkness was by writing songs and keep on moving forward, so I just kept on writing as my feelings took me.
This album portrays a story about parting with the past. From wondering a pitch-black darkness filled with hatred, anger and a sense of incongruity in the deep pit of your heart, to facing yourself and fighting through struggles, hidden light and hope of what you wish to remain, then eventually in the last scene “Vanishing, Vanishing Maybe”, you part way with the past.
Is that the meaning behind the title?
If you cut the word “nowhere” in half, it becomes “now here”. I wanted to express that by pouring the feeling of love and positivity into that one single space, you will be able to change everything.
Is your 10th album a big achievement? How does it feel to have 10 albums?
Since “Nowhere Now Here” was our first album creation with our new drummer Dahm, I feel that it turned out to be an album filled with freshness like a debut album and initial impulse.
Right now, the band feels that we finally found that one answer we’ve been looking for a long time.
I think music is a gift from God that allows you to speak freely more than words.
[TAKA]
Do you find it humbling so many experimental acts say MONO is an influence?
Yes, it really is amazing that we have been able to influence other musicians.
When it comes to MONO, is any idea off the table? Can you express any kind of music in MONO?
I think music is a gift from God that allows you to speak freely more than words.
A lot of things happen in life. For this album, I wanted to express that no matter how much of a struggle the time may be and even if you feel that you can’t see what’s ahead, the path will eventually open up if you don’t give up. Like you know, the saying “the darkest hour is just before the dawn”.
You are doing a world tour for this album. One interesting date is Transylvania…
We’ve so far played in 57 countries. We want to play in as many countries and cities as possible in our limited time of life, because meeting our fans and colleagues through music, throughout the world, is the most important and beautiful thing.
Will you come back to Australia for this album?
Yes, I think we can announce this soon. The previous tour was really fantastic. We’re really excited to play in Australia again.
Do you feel MONO will continue for another 20 years? Perhaps longer?
Of course. We plan to continue in the next 20, 30 years.
Nowhere Now Here is out now.
