INTERVIEW: Takaakira ‘Taka’ Goto – Mono

Whilst on their co-headline tour with ALCEST (read our review here) we had the chance to talk to the brainchild of MONO, Takaakira ‘Taka’ Goto, about their most recent release Requiem For Hell and how The Divine Comedy became the primary theme for their latest opus.

Requiem For Hell is your ninth album; did you try anything different with the recording style this time round?

Taka: The recording for the last record was very difficult, because I was always thinking ‘what else can I do?’ rather than just getting it done. This time round we recorded with Steve Albini in order to keep things more open and also locked in.

How did you come up with the themes for Requiem for Hell?

Taka: It was completely by accident! I had finished composing the material and then by chance read Dante’s Inferno, The Divine Comedy. It quickly became a strong inspiration, kind of like the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle. I love the story of the saved soul.

Is it difficult to come up with new ideas this far into your career?

Taka: Composing the songs is very natural; I don’t stick to any structure. For me, writing without lyrics is easy. Does Mozart sing, or Beethoven? So, I don’t really care about it.

How did choosing a set for tonight’s performance go with the wealth of material you now have?

Taka: Because it’s a co-headliner, we need to make sure we combine all the new songs with the old.

Were ALCEST the first band you chose to bring with you on this tour?

Taka: We’ve known each other for like five years now, and they also released new material this year so the timing was perfect.

What has been the standout moment for MONO this year?

Taka: I think the London show is gonna be absolutely massive for us!

Requiem For Hell is out now via Pelagic Records.

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