INTERVIEW:  

Explosions In the Sky, one of the great tenors of the post-rock scene, participated in the 9th edition of the Nachten festival. Second date of their European tour, the concert was, as expected, filled with emotions. This gave us the perfect opportunity to touch base at the very beginning of their tour. We met with Munaf, one of the two guitarists of the band at a hotel in Anvers. Nice character, a good reflection of this band from Texas, he confides easily and conveys a lot of kindness.

- Can we rename you "Emotions in the sky"?

Yeah, no problem. People can say that, it is very flattering for us, because in the end, that’s what we’re here for: to create emotions.

- How can you create so many emotions with only four instruments (guitars, bass and drums) where a lot of similar bands need between seven and eight musicians to reach the same intensity?

We’re very lucky to make as much noise as we want. The other bands, with seven or eight instruments, work a little bit like orchestras. As for us, we do our best. The idea is to use our instruments the best way we can while the four of us do as much noise as possible. I don’t know how, but somehow it seems to work well. Even our calmest moments are loud. We do not need to use distortion anymore to be intense…

- Do you think that your music carries a message or is it purely “emotional”?

There isn’t really a transcendental message in our music. Emotions are very important to us. We want people to live our music, to make them feel something. We would like them to feel all sorts of emotions: angst, relaxation, fright, joy, concern… Apart from that, we do not really carry any political message. The main idea would be: "Be a good person".

- For many people, Texas still goes hand in hand with conservatism and George W. Bush. How difficult is it to be as open minded as you are in such a traditional State?

Generally, Texas is a very conservative State. But Austin, the city where we come from, is very different. There are lots of initiatives in many fields: art, music, film making… It is also the only place in Texas where life is worth living, and our music is a reflection of that. Also, a lot of good bands come from Austin: The Trail of Dead, Calexico... We’re very lucky to come from the same city as them. We’re very happy to come from this city.

- You are now starting a European tour. You will be gone for a few months. What do you find exciting in these tours?

The tour is supposed to support the launch of our CD, but we like it. It’s exciting. Four guys from Texas ending up in Anvers. I mean, how else could we have ended up here? Of course, it is not always easy: we’re far from home, being together all the time might create stress… But we remain very good friends, almost like brothers. It is very special. If I were to give an advice to anybody, it would be that even if you do not play music, save your money, choose a spot on the map and go for it, because it’s really a unique experience!

- Two or three years ago, Godspeed You! Black Emperor was considered as the post-rock reference. Do you think they still are?

It’s difficult to say, especially where we’re at. In a way, GY!BE, Mogwai and Sigur Rós are representing this style, but I don’t know if everybody would look at one of these bands only. What would be great would be that somebody would consider Explosions in the Sky as being part of them!

- How do you see the future of post-rock? Do you think that this style of music will open up to new instruments or new music and give rise to something new?

I hope so. As it is the case with every style, I hope that we’re going to advance because we cannot remain in the same place all our lives. I guess that with time, people get older and the style should also evolve on its’ own. But if you think that there is nothing to get from it anymore, that nothing will ever evolve, then you’d better give in right away. You cannot run around in a circle indefinitely.

 

Interview by Fred, and re-translated from French into English by Sabine Thuilleaux.