Weekend Music Preview: Mono @ The Mohawk [Saturday]

This past weekend might have been one for the ages but The Mohawk is not resting on its mighty laurels just yet. This Saturday, prepare for yet another sonic blast at the venue when Japanese band Mono sets up shop to peddle its atmospheric post-rock compositions. Mono’s forte is epic instrumental soundscapes that build up gradually before erupting with ferocious splendor, à la Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky. The members’ technical expertise is evident in the intricate details and it’s no surprise that they bring it all together in a very cohesive fashion -- they’ve been honing their skills collectively for over a decade now. The band formed in 1999 (a few years after that other Mono) and has released five full-lengths, including 2009’s Hymn to the Immortal Wind. No strangers to the use of assorted string instruments in their work, the band employed a chamber orchestra to further embellish Hymn’s lush, grandiose sound.

And if you’re a huge Mono fan, longing for an adventure in Japan, start saving now! The band will commemorate its 10th Anniversary with a special show in Tokyo this December at the Shibuya O-EAST, where they will be joined on stage by Dave Max Crawford, Maro (NHK Symphony Orchestra), and the Music Art Romantic Orchestra. In the interim, you can catch ‘em, albeit sans a massive orchestra, on Saturday in town at the ‘hawk. Fellow Temporary Residence Limited label-mates Maserati are first up on the outside stage this evening, fresh on the hells off the recently released full-length Passages. The Athens, Georgia outfit’s experiments in math-rock normally result in wonderfully innovative and textured pieces so you best get there early to catch their set; Austin’s Tia Carrera close out the night inside with a hearty helping of psych-metal.

Outside
[Mono MySpace]
[Maserati MySpace]
Inside
[Tia Carrera MySpace]

Check out the Austinist Weekend Music Preview Slideshow after the jump for details on a number of events in town this weekend.