Earlier today, I chatted with Barry Burns. Enjoy our full exchange below:

1. Why’d you choose Brooklyn as the locale for Burning?

It was one of the venues where we were going to play more than one night (we did three nights there) which allowed us to have plenty of footage for our film and gave us room for mistakes. New York is also a city where historically we have had really great shows and the crowds are generally excellent. We originally had an option to do the filming in Japan until we saw the costs.

2. Why’d you decide to work with V. Moon & N. Le Scouarnec?

Before this project Vincent was suggested by an old manager of ours and he had shot a short film which accompanied our last studio album, The Hawk Is Howling. It worked really well and so we asked him and Nat on board for a bigger project. Vincent was really keen to work with us again too so it was mutually beneficial. Plus, to say you have been in a “French Film” sounds good. I was in a French Film. It’s black and white, you know.

Read the remainder of this interview AFTER THE JUMP…

3. What sets Burning apart from other concert films?

I guess I have to “sell” it too. Well, I don’t know – other than making us 5 muppets look pretty professional contrary to how we think we look and sound. It’s probably more exciting looking than watching us play live as we don’t move around too much but the cameras get to take that responsibility. It’s like a mini “Last Waltz” without the finality, coke-encrusted nose of Neil Young or indeed The Band’s musical talent.

4. Do you prefer performing in smaller spaces or massive venues?

Absolutely depends on the place because both can be a lot of fun. In smaller spaces, the sound is generally better but the people’s eyes are too close and that scares me shitless. Little staring eyes, waiting for inevitable mistakes. That’s why I don’t wear my glasses on the stage, I can keep my distance.

5. Are there any Scottish acts that we should keep an ear out for?

Yeah. Remember Remember, Errors, DeSalvo. All of these bands are suspiciously on our own label and we think they are great bands. They’re pretty different to each other too.

6. What are you currently listening to?

Cold Wave & Minimal Electronics Vol I; John Maus; Arvo Pärt; Caribou; Clark; Fad Gadget & Advanced German With Michel Thomas.

7. What are your plans & goals for the remainder of the year?

Get myself in my little studio and try to finish arranging the songs I wrote while putting parts on other band member’s tunes. Go on a non-sunny holiday to northern Germany (this week). Get the album recorded and get ready to release it ourselves. Buy more clothes.

8. Are there any misconceptions that you’d like to clear up?

I suppose I could try. Well, most of the stuff (99%) we used to write about on the Mogwai website or say about other bands was purely for entertainment purposes only and not for any publicity. Publicity stunts would never work for a band like us but people were far too suspicious. Now we can’t have fun like that anymore. To sum up: uptight people don’t like fart jokes. The notion that we are chin-stroking weirdos. We are a bunch of clowns who take few things seriously other than the actual music we make so even the song titles are a farce, they don’t matter. (French people take note, the titles are not describing anything at all). The notion that Scottish people are “tight” with their money. Quite the contrary in my experience. Americans are tight as fuck. While touring in America, if it’s Scottish people only in a restaurant for dinner there is never a problem leaving a good tip. As soon as an American is at the table the abacus comes out and we Scots have to make up the rest. There you go. I hope very much that’s all cleared up now.

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MP3: Mogwai – I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead (Live)