MONO is a post-rock instrumental group from Tokyo, Japan. Mono was founded in January 2000 by guitarist Takaakira Goto. Working by himself, Goto completed most of Mono's demo tracks, partly influenced by guitarist Loren Connors.
By late 1999 Goto began the search for band members; the first to join was fellow guitarist and long time friend Yoda. Soon afterwards the two guitarists linked up with bassist Tamaki and drummer Yasunori Takada. The group soon released a 4 track EP entitled Hey, You on the small independent label Forty-4. Following Hey, You Mono put together its first full length album, Under the Pipal Tree in 2001 on Tzadik Records. Under the Pipal Tree, along with the EP, introduced Mono's style, which is focused on layered guitar melodies. All of Mono's songs are entirely instrumental, and Strings and pianos are also prominently featured in several songs. Under the Pipal Tree was met with somewhat mixed reviews and was referred to by Goto in a 2006 interview with Phil McMullen as a "very, very young album". Whilst recording the album, the September 11th attacks took place, which were to have a significant effect on Mono's later work. In 2002, Mono finished their second album, One Step More and You Die. Many critics considered this as having a more distinctive sound than the preceding album. An abbreviated tour in parts of New York and Sweden took place after the album's release. The length of the tour and the behavior of some of the American crowds, who Goto said in the McMullan interview were "always talking a lot and drinking beers and making a lot of noise" left the band somewhat unsatisfied. Soon afterward, Mono moved on to a new project in direct response to the aftermath of September 11th. This album was titled New York Soundtracks and was recorded in collaboration with several important members of the New York experimental scene, such as DJ Olive, Jackie-O Motherfucker, and Loren Connors. New York Soundtracks consists of remixes of all of One Step More and You Die's tracks.
Relationship with fans
Mono, like most bands associated with the underground music scene, tries to maintain a strong relationship with their fans. Goto, in a recent interview with Semtex Magazine, pointed out that for Mono, promotion is not a priority, they tour "to meet the crowd".
Members
* Tamaki Kunishi – bass
* Takaakira "Taka" Goto – guitar
* Yoda – guitar
* Yasunori Takada – drums
Albums
* Under the Pipal Tree (2001)
* One Step More and You Die (2003)
* Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined (2004)
* You Are There (2006)
* Hymn to the Immortal Wind (2009) U.S. Billboard Heatseekers #40
EPs
* Hey, You (2000)
* Memorie dal Futuro (10") (2006)
* The Phoenix Tree (2007)
* Destroy Independent Music! (2006-2007, Temporary Residence Limited) sampler
Other works
* New York Soundtracks (One Step More and You Die Remixed) (2004)
* Mono / Pelican Split (2005)
* Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain (Collaboration with World's End Girlfriend) (2005)
* Gone: A Collection of EPs 2000-2007 (2007)
Posts
0 comments