The soundtrack of longevity

Mogwai, a Scottish band that defies convention, creates provocative music that challenges audiences with an experience beyond audio.

For nearly 25 years, Mogwai, the Scottish instrumental rock band, has had a reputation for creating music that moves people. They are defined by originality. From exploring the interplay of noise and silence to the full visual experience of pulsing lights mixed with curated darkness, the band effortlessly creates within the juxtaposition of contradictory concepts.

And ten albums later, this eclectic mix of sound and light is still resonating with audiences globally. As Love Continues, the latest studio release, reached number one in the UK album charts in early 2021.

Since 1995, Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals), Barry Burns (guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals), Dominic Aitchison (bass guitar), and Martin Bulloch (drums) have been creating predominantly instrumental pieces, which play with sound in a way that provokes their audience.

All we wanted to do was make cool music and something that sounded great. Something that sounded really big and emotional.

Braithwaite once famously said, "Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along, and when they can't do that with us, they can get a bit upset." Ultimately, he wants people to simply "forget the vocals – just come and feel the noise."

Braithwaite once famously said, "Lyrics are a real comfort to some people. I guess they like to sing along, and when they can't do that with us, they can get a bit upset." Ultimately, he wants people to simply "forget the vocals – just come and feel the noise."

And it still holds true today. "We didn't think people would like our music when we played a gig. All we wanted to do was make cool music and something that sounded great. Something that sounded really big and emotional," says Braithwaite. "But we weren't thinking anyone was going to like it."

This self-assured attitude has helped the band transcend the confines of genre, and in doing so, take on projects that require a nuanced control of sound. From creating the soundtrack for a supernatural TV drama to donating a track to an international charity, it's the understanding of provocation which makes Mogwai the perfect partner for creative endeavours that aim to make people feel something.

The band wouldn't call what they do art; this is a rock band at its core. But the defiance of genre and expectation means they can flex in multiple sonic directions while sounding authentically Mogwai.

The Scottishness and the longevity are definite things that we share. There’s a connection there.

One of the band's latest collaborations is with The Macallan, a prestigious single malt whisky produced in the heart of Speyside, Scotland. The Macallan is celebrating the launch of The Reach, the oldest whisky ever released by the Scottish brand.

One of the band's latest collaborations is with The Macallan, a prestigious single malt whisky produced in the heart of Speyside, Scotland. The Macallan is celebrating the launch of The Reach, the oldest whisky ever released by the Scottish brand.

"I am Scottish," says Braithwaite "And I understand the history, and the landscape and the tradition. We wanted to make something musically that reflected that. The Scottishness and longevity are definite things that we share. There's a connection there."

Extraordinarily rare, the spirit was distilled in 1940, crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask. The fact it was created in such a turbulent time isn't lost on The Macallan; the protection and survival of this 81-year-old whisky is a testament to the brand's history, ingenuity, and strength.

Mogwai, together with London-based photographer Nadav Kander, have brought the story of The Reach to life by creating music, photography, and film which embody a sense of endurance and the passing of time. Kander's footage and Mogwai's original composition combine to create a truly atmospheric tribute based on collaboration as an ode to the people and community who crafted and cared for this precious whisky, preserving the spirit for over eight decades.

"What I like about collaborations is meeting different people and seeing how they work and talking to them," says Braithwaite. "And even if they work in a completely different world, even making whisky, you'll see what drives them, and you'll see how they process the art of their work."

The Reach is aptly named to commemorate the spirits decade's long maturation process and its present-day release, which allows people to 'reach' back into history, not just to the point of distillation, but further back into the history and heritage of The Macallan, which began with its founding in 1824.

"What I like about collaborations is meeting different people and seeing how they work and talking to them," says Braithwaite. "And even if they work in a completely different world, even making whisky, you'll see what drives them, and you'll see how they process the art of their work."

The Reach is aptly named to commemorate the spirits decade's long maturation process and its present-day release, which allows people to 'reach' back into history, not just to the point of distillation, but further back into the history and heritage of The Macallan, which began with its founding in 1824.

A creation of many craftspeople, the whisky is encased in a decanter of mouth-blown glass, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands, each representative of a pivotal character and time period in The Macallan's past. The first hand is for the distillery workers who laid down, maintained and protected the spirit in the turbulent times of the 1940’s. The second hand represents Allan Shiach, an impactful former chairman of the brand and whose grandfather managed the distillery in 1940. The third is that of current Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell, who decided now was the perfect time to share this precious whisky with the world.

The Macallan The Reach is now available in very limited numbers in select locations worldwide.