(Click here to see the review of the 10/09/2009 Seattle show)

To See Rating 10/10
Just Curious Rating 10/10

Band Members
Takaakira “Taka” Goto: guitar
Tamaki: bass
Yoda: guitar
Yasunori Takada: drums

Special Guests:
Jeff Milarsky and the Wordless Music Orchestra

Trying to describe being at this show is like trying to describe color to a blind person; if you weren’t able to see and hear it for yourself there aren’t words or even media recreations that can appropriately convey the experience, but here goes nothing — here goes everything.

Being an audience member for the 10 year anniversary celebration of MONO’s first show was an emotional experience of the most profound kind. Their newest release entitled “Hymn to the Immortal Wind” includes a full orchestra. The evening of May 8, 2009 was the first time that MONO recreated the full orchestra for a live concert; it was a smashing success.

The evening before the concert I had the honor of interviewing Taka. We were able to talk about some of the meanings behind MONO’s music and what being able to deliver that music meant to him among other things. In the interview below Taka discusses a song entitled “Ashes in the Snow.” This song is about a woman who loses her husband — her soul mate in death. Still yearning for connection with her partner, she takes his ashes and scatters them at sea. The sun lifts the ocean water commingled  with her husband’s ashes into clouds. When the clouds release it’s matter into snow, the woman knows she is enveloped in the presence of her husband. This is the type of rich emotional substance that goes into MONO’s work. Even if you aren’t aware of the stories behind each of the songs, MONO has some of the most emotionally evocative material that I have ever been able to experience.

Even with that foundation, I went to the concert unprepared for what I was going to get. The tender lulls of the music were organic and spiritual; in those moments I felt motionless and fetal. The swells were so intense that the only matching physical manifestation would have been if I had run to the edge of the third floor balcony and jumped off.

I have an affinity towards music of this ilk because I crave the ultimate rush. The music had the same effect on my guests but it occurred to them as unsettling. My sister likened this concert to extreme sports and other forms of pleasure that aren’t suitable for the faint of heart. I could not have agreed with her more. MONO is an accessible realm for me to get the same type of rush as free falling  out of a plane. For some, that experience is fearsome. For others like me, it is the thrill of a lifetime.

I invite you to have the experience the way that I did. Please enjoy the interview with Taka followed by the full songs Ashes in the Snow, Follow the Map, and Everlasting Light.

“An Interview with Taka of MONO”

“Ashes In the Snow”

“Follow the Map”

“Everlasting Light”

Band Website, MONO on Myspace

Upcoming Shows
May 16 2009 8:00P RaidWorld Festival @Liquid Room Tokyo, JP
May 30 2009 8:00P The WALL Live House Taipei, Taiwan
Jul 1 2009 8:00P Vera Groningen, Netherlands
Jul 3 2009 8:00P Roskilde Festival Roskilde, Denmark
Jul 5 2009 8:00P Furia Sound Festival Cergy-pontoise, France
Jul 6 2009 8:00P Jubez Karlsruhe, Germany
Jul 7 2009 8:00P Abart Zurich, Switzerland
Jul 8 2009 8:00P Bad Bonn Dudingen, Switzerland
Jul 10 2009 8:00P Natala Festival Colmar, France
Jul 11 2009 8:00P Gebaeude 9 Koln, Germany
Jul 12 2009 8:00P Cactus Festival Brugge, Belgium