mavo

In an age when bands have more instruments than members, a return to the traditional three-piece rock outfit can be refreshing. Thankfully, Montreal’s Mavo has decided to resurrect the lost art of the garage band. With only drums, a guitar and bass, this trio manages to give standard rock bands a run for their money.
“But we’re not really a cool beer-drinking band,“ said frontman Mitz Takahashi. “We’re more like a Gatorade or whiskey in a pickle jar-drinking kind of band, definitely not cool.”
Named for a 1930s Dadaist movement (it’s pronounced Mah-Vo) this group has combined the forces of Takahashi, Ryan Newman and Conor Prendergast, all local musicians.


Created less than a year ago, the project was kick-started by Takahashi after his last band broke up. Having previously played with Prendergast, Takahashi then recruited Newman to play drums. “I was absolutely horrible at [them],” said Newman. “So Conor and I switched.”
Though Takahashi is the main songwriter, the creative process is definitely a shared experience. “I bring 10 per cent of a song to them and we all add to it,” said Takahashi. “In the end, each song is definitely divided up into 33.333 per cent.”
The lyrics, which showcase Takahashi’s dry sense of humour, cover everything from “being a foreigner” to Japanese food. Their lyrical simplicity matches the music’s direct, lo-fi rock sound. Borrowing from Pavement, The Jam and what Newman calls “really dorky stuff that need not be mentioned,” Mavo’s sound manages to be memorable but also incredibly unpretentious. “We definitely have a bit of a ‘60s thing going on,” said Prendergast.


“And my accent!” Takahashi added. “Conor and I are both foreign so I think that adds to the sound.”
Born in Japan, Takahashi moved to Alberta as a teenager before settling in Montreal. He attended university and is now enrolled in carpentry school. He also works part-time as a DJ for venues like Casa Del Popolo. “I really like it. But at the same time I don’t want people to see me as just a DJ. I want to be known as part of band,” he explained. Prendergast, who hails from Australia, came to Montreal three years ago and now runs Fixture Records, a local record label that has released material for bands such as Freelove Fenner and Postcards. “I think we have a really good balance because I’m Japanese, Conor is Australian and Ryan is from Canada,” said Takahashi.
Newman has been touring in bands for the last few years, an experience that has been at times bittersweet. “I slogged it in a band for years and nothing ever really happened,” he said. “I love touring but it can get incredibly frustrating . . . I guess we’re kind of jaded.” To which Takahashi added, “Yeah we are, so listen up kids: don’t go to art school like I did. Become a plumber, that’s where the money is.”


But the group hasn’t become completely cynical. Though they have all been in bands that saw only minor success, they remain optimistic about Mavo. They hope to record and release an EP later this year and to follow it with a North American tour. As for the near future, the band isn’t set on living in Montreal.
“It’s a great city, but it’s like being in a hot tub. It’s hot when you’re inside and the bubbles are nice. So when you go outside, it’s cold and you want to stay in. But then it gets too hot in the water,” explained Takahashi.
“So you eventually need to get out of the hot tub,” concluded Newman. - the concordian