Love 'em or loathe 'em, there's no denying the flamboyant, elfin-like duo that is MGMT took the indie world by storm with their colourful debut, Oracular Spectacular. Though they made the pilgrimage to our shores not six months ago, the pair are once more packing their trendy New York clothing into suitably fashionable, vintage suitcases and heading our way for some splendid fun.
yourGigs (yG): What's been on the schedule today?
Andrew Vanwyngarden (AV): I've been writing the new album in California and we're going to start recording tomorrow. It's got some garage/psychedelic/surf stuff going on with some chamber arrangements. One song sounds a bit like The Band or T-Rex.
yG: Is there something in particular that made you want to schlep back here so soon?
AV: I guess it is pretty soon to be coming back, especially seeing as we've never even done a headlining US tour. We wanted to play Splendour in the Grass so this next Australian leg is based on that, and we get to go to New Zealand and play some shows too. I went to Byron Bay when we were in Australia last year so I know the feel of the area a little bit and it seems like a cool place to have a music festival.
yG: What does the term "splendour in the grass" denote for you?
AV: I like grass a lot. I have a good time in grass and on grass. Whether it be lying in the grass or walking on it ... I'm walking on fresh mowed grass at the moment which is pretty cool. I've had lots of good times on grass.
yG: Splendour can get very muddy. If all the bands currently on the bill were to have a huge mud fight, who would be on your team and who would be your enemy?
AV: I'd definitely want Jane's Addiction to be on our side 'cause Perry Farrell's so crazy. Who knows what he's gonna do in a mud-fight! I guess my enemy would be The Specials.
yG: Between MGMT and the Flaming Lips I'd imagine there will be a bit of rivalry to see who can come up with the best stage show. Any plans for a live collaboration?
AV: Not currently but that would be cool. As a fan, I danced on stage in one of their animal suits at the 2003 Monterey Festival in Tennessee. I think I was a dog. The costume smelt awful, I don't think they wash them very often.
yG: You've played a lot of prestigious festivals such as T in the Park, Glastonbury, Coachella, Reading, Roskilde and Lollapalooza. Do the different countries all have their own festival personalities?
AV: Yeah I'd say so. The European festivals have great catering. I wouldn't say as much for the Northern English, Irish and Scottish festivals. The craziest times I've had were definitely at Glastonbury: that is an outrageous festival in a lot of ways.
I'm really excited to play our new show in Australia 'cause I think it's gonna be very different and a lot tighter. When we went to Australia last year it was at the end of about 15 months of touring. We were really worn out and we could see the finish line. This time we're a lot more refreshed and it'll be much more enjoyable.
yG: You had some pretty major stage problems at Meredith didn't you?
AV: Yeah, that was really a shame 'cause it was our last show of the year. It was rainy and we really wanted to do an amazing, great finale, but we had all these stage and sound problems ... I guess sh*t happens.
yG: What are you planning to do on your time off in Australia, if you have any?
AV: We have one day off in New Zealand, maybe we could do something extreme like bungy jumping or zorbing. One of my favourite pubs is in Sydney so I wanna go back there, I hung out there all the time on the last tour. It's this place called the ...
yG: ... I'd better not put that in the interview or everyone will hang out there while you're in town and it won't be your favourite pub anymore.*
AV: Oh yeah, you're right!
*Contact writer for bribes.
Tickets to Splendour in the Grass go on sale May 14.
Aimee-Lee Curran
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