Mogwai

The original trio Stuart Braithwaite, Dominic Aitchinson, and Martin Bulloch joined forces in 1991 and began putting out music a few years later. Their single “Tuner”/”Lower” caught the attention of the public in 1996, along with the song “Summer,” which earned a mention in the British publication, New Music Express (NME).

Mogwai’s debut album “Mogwai Young Team” was released in 1997 with the joint efforts of additional members: guitarist John Cummings and drummer Brendan O’Hare. Their work hit #75 on the UK Albums Chart. Musical influences for Mogwai include The Cure, Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine and post-rock band Tortoise. Their music is characterized by extended instrumental guitar solos in post-rock style.

Mogwai’s sophomore album “Come On Die Young” came out in 1998 and upped the band’s popularity to #29 on the UK charts. The band brought on Barry Burns as a permanent member and featured Scottish violinist Luke Sutherland. At the turn of the century, Mogwai released their highest grossing album “Rock Action” which also became the name of their record label. The album featured guest vocalists and experimented with electronic elements while simultaneously staying true to their signature lengthy instrumental pieces (one song “My Father the King” is twenty minutes long!).

“Happy Songs for Happy People” was Mogwai’s first album to break into U.S. territory charting at #13 on the Billboard Indie Albums in 2003. Mogwai broke into the film industry in 2006 by providing the soundtrack to the movie “Zidane: A 20th Century Portrait.” Mogwai’s music is distributed through multiple international labels: firstly through Glasgow label Chemikal Underground, American labels Matador and Sub Pop, UK’s Play It Again Sam, and their own Rock Action Records.