Moneen is back with a new album for their new label Vagrant. Los Vagrantes don’t discriminate, they love the Canadians too. Recently I had a chance to make them think i’m French (notice the globe hopping theme, i’m going to the UK and Italy soon), and shoot of a few quick questions. Read, and be happy with who you are right now (I know you weren’t happy a few minutes ago). 

Interview by Jonathan Gill | jon@staff.truepunk.com | with Kenny

5 Quick Questions with Moneen (well maybe a tad bit more than five) The songs on “AWRHWWWARN” are structured in a way that makes me feel like a
band is improvising at show. Quite structured around just plain old rocking
out at show. Was that diliberate on your part, or did the stars just align
right for the record to give that energetic feel?
That is the best short form for the title ever. At first I was scared that this was another crazy french interview…but I get it and love it. Well we have always wanted an album to have the energy we feel we have live. But we have never known how…maybe it was the vibe in the studio…maybe the way the new songs are…or maybe the hyper-active little kid in us just finally broke out into the studio and rocked the microphone…we just wanted
to write some songs that would be really fun to play live, and I think we did it.

Did the recording process differ any from your previous efforts due to increased funding and time (i’m guessing about that, but it sounds like that on the record)? What was Trever Keith’s contribution in regards to production (any stand out words of advice)?
We had the greatest (pretty much) stress-free time in the studio…we actually had a lot of fun and still managed to make a record that we feel has gone above and beyond anything else we have done. Trever was a big part of that. he took care of so much when it came down to getting sounds and allthe technical aspects…that we just got to concentrate
on the songs…that way, we were so laid back that we got to try so many different things on the record…new delays, new sounds and even trying new things on each take. feeling the song and not just going through the motions. The only words of advice would be…keep your band members close…never try to go in alone. The other guys are there to support you so don’t try to take on everything by yourself. I am guilty of that from other recordings…and
it became stressful for everyone that way.

How were you approached to be part of the Vagrant family? Word of mouth? At a show?
Theory (the last album) just sort of fell into their hands. It got released on hopeless records and it got passed to vagrant. They had never seen us or did not really know much about us. but they liked our music a lot…they liked us…they really liked us!!!! It was crazy for
the fact that one of our favorite labels wanted to work with us, and without us chasing them. it was a nice compliment that someone felt that strong about our music without seeing us live or anything. we were not sure what to do right away…we were scared.
they are a very big label and we have only worked with smallman records (winnipeg canada). So we thought that vagrant might too big too quick. we have only been
together a few years…three years at that point. but as soon as we met them, we knew it was right. they are awsome people and we got along with everyone so well. It is all about being comfortable and having fun…and eating peanut butter when peter is not around. he is allergic

Being Canadian, the biased consensis is that you like hockey. Do you have a favorite hockey team?
Well right now I am going for the Mighty Ducks…I want Micky to have the
cup…I don’t really know anything about hockey…but I do like playstaion hockey,
it is funny, I will be pretty good at it. then a few games go by and the other person starts destroying me. I don’t get it, do they learn my tricks or do I just have begginers luck. I have broken too many controllers testing that theory.

Are you really happy with who you are right now?
Oh yeah!! so happy…so happy that I am taking my pants off right now! Wait I mean…ummm…yes I am happy, we are all happy. The winter is over…of course we are happy. Last year I put smowballs [not snowballs, smowballs - jon] down my pants.

Thanks!
thanks you.
thanks you yes…
thanks you and many good things to you.