Stuart Braithwaite

Stuart Leslie Braithwaite (born 10 May 1976) is a Scottish multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He is the guitarist of post rock band Mogwai, with whom he has recorded nine studio albums.

Stuart Braithwaite
Braithwaite in 2018
Background information
Birth nameStuart Leslie Braithwaite
Born (1976-05-10) 10 May 1976
OriginDalserf, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
GenresPost rock, instrumental rock, art rock
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals, bass guitar, piano, synthesizer, drums
Years active1995–present
LabelsRock Action, Wall of Sound, Matador
Websitemogwai.co.uk

Early life (1976–1994)

Braithwaite grew up listening to records by The Cure, Joy Division, The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, Black Sabbath and other artists. He attended Strathaven Academy from 1987 to 1993. Before playing in Mogwai, Braithwaite fronted a band called Deadcat Motorbike, who broke up in June 1995. Braithwaite also drummed for Scottish band Eska at one point.

Formation and first years of Mogwai (1995–1996)
Main article: Mogwai

Braithwaite met Dominic Aitchison at a Ned's Atomic Dustbin show at the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow on 10 April 1991, and four years later, along with school friend Martin Bulloch, they formed Mogwai.

Stuart Braithwaite with Mogwai

Solo work and Rock Action (2000–2002)

In 2000, Braithwaite played with a band called Mighty Joe Young Trio. In 2000 and 2002, Braithwaite performed solo acoustic shows. In 2002, Braithwaite, Aidan Moffat and Colin "Sheepy" McPherson released an eponymously titled EP called The Sick Anchors. He is also a member of the British alternative rock supergroup Minor Victories.

Film

In 2016 Braithwaite took part in a documentary about Glasgow music, and Chemikal Underground Records, called Lost in France. The film was directed by Niall McCann and brought Braithwaite (along with members of The Delgados, Franz Ferdinand and others) to Mauron, Brittany, to recreate a gig they played just after Mogwai had formed. The film features Mogwai live, as well as footage of Braithwaite playing Mogwai tracks solo. It also shows Braithwaite playing live with Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, and musicians such as Emma Pollock, RM Hubbert, and Holy Mountain, and interviews with Braithwaite and his old label-mates. Lost in France premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival to wholly positive reviews and was called "Funny, vital and sobering[1]” by Scotland's arts bible The Skinny.

Musical style

Braithwaite's musical technique is characterised by the heavy usage of effects pedals,[2] used to create ambient instrumental guitar sounds. As with much music associated with the post-rock style, his playing emphasizes melody and dynamic contrast over virtuosity.

Personal life

Braithwaite's family originate from Flesherin on the Isle of Lewis; he was born and raised in Glasgow. He is a vegan and has worked with PETA.[3]

Braithwaite married musician Elisabeth Elektra in April 2019.[4] He was previously married to music promoter Grainne Braithwaite-Vedamanikam.[5]

Discography
Main article: Mogwai discography

References
  1. http://www.theskinny.co.uk/festivals/uk-festivals/film/alex-kapranos-on-lost-in-france
  2. A more or less full list can be found at "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 April 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite: Animals Will Never Die for My Dinner". Peta UK. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  4. David Pollock (19 July 2019). "Elisabeth Elektra: 'Dressing up is a way of creating a world that's not this one, that you can be invited into through music'". The List.
  5. Stuart Braithwaite (19 April 2017). "Oddly shaped emptiness - 10 Years of 'Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters'". GoldFlakePaint.
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