Good Trip, Bad Trip: Moon Duo

No, not that kind of trip...

Moon Duo are a group in near perpetual motion, a tumultuous psychedelic force who match lengthy, lung-bursting tours with breathless spells in the studio.

So being forced to sit still for a few moments was never going to rest easy with the American pairing.

Settling in one place, Moon Duo began constructing new material in a Portland basement, burrowing into themselves in the process.

Out now, 'Shadow Of The Sun' is a transcendent, cosmic return. An effervescent stimulation of the senses, it's set to be followed by Moon Duo finally being allowed by out onto the road.

Ahead of this, Clash caught up with Sanae Yamada for another instalment of Good Trip, Bad Trip.

– – –

Best Trip…
We did a short but memorable tour in East Asia in 2013 with stops in Hanoi, Shanghai, Beijing and Tokyo. The shows were great and felt very off-the-beaten-track, and we were fortunate enough to have a little free time in each place. We got to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing, and went to an underground hip-hop show in Shanghai (figuratively and literally – it was in a large, subterranean bunker).

We played four dates in Tokyo: at a DIY punk club, an upscale rock club, a tiny cafe, and a small festival in a park full of hippies. Having the chance to play in Tokyo carried some personal meaning as well – my Dad grew up there, and he was able to come to some of the shows.

Worst Trip…
Hmm, I'm not sure. I kind of feel like all trips have their value in the end, even if they're not so enjoyable at the time. That said, when we played Lawrence, Kansas, a few years back very few people came, and the promoter kindly, regretfully explained that the more popular event in town was the "midget-wrestling" that was happening down the street.

My favourite foreign venue…
The late, great Festsaal Kreutzberg in Berlin, sadly lost in a fire. It was one of those rare places that was a magnet for great music but also felt like the home base of a whole community.

We are surprisingly popular in…
I'm surprised we're popular anywhere.

Best or worst exotic foodstuff…
The best was the Szechuan cuisine in China. The heat of Szechuan peppers has a unique power. The worst is the gas station food in the States – it's exotic in a dystopian kind of way.

The most interesting individual I've met on the road…
The people I find most interesting are those we meet who are making non-mainstream things happen outside of any established cultural center. We've been brought to some small towns by promoters who have basically built an entire scene from scratch. I think that takes real vision and motivation. It's inspiring.

Worst on-tour injury, accident or infection…
I fell and skinned the palm of my hand in Australia. It was raw for days and made carrying gear a real challenge. Generally, I've been lucky (knock on wood).

My essential travel item…
A good book.

My essential travel tip…
Always wash your feet before you go to bed.

– – –

'Shadow Of The Sun' is out now.

Moon Duo are set to play the following shows:

April
27 Birmingham The Hare & Hound
28 Bristol The Exchange
29 Leeds Holy Trinity Church
30 London Village Underground

May
1 Dublin Workmans Club
2 Letterkenny Distorted Perspective Festival
3 Glasgow Live at Glasgow
4 Liverpool The Kazimer

Buy Clash Magazine

Get Clash on your mobile, for free: iPhone / Android

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.