Mogwai Team Up With Iggy Pop On New Song "Underground" - "Happy Tears" Compilation Announced

Scottish post-rockers Mogwai have premiered “Underground“, a new collaboration with rock legend Iggy Pop taken from their forthcoming career-spanning compilation “Happy Tears“, due January 8th through Rock Action Records.

Pop was a massive influence to Mogwai vocalist/guitarist, etc. Stuart Braithwaite, who was quoted in his book ‘Spaceships Over Glasgow: Mogwai, Mayhem and Misspent Youth‘:

“Hearing The Stooges had been a life-changing moment for me. Their self-titled album was pretty much my bible. It was druggy, dumb and completely primal. I’d never heard anything quite like it and even though that band had pretty much fallen apart by the time I was born, I grew to love the three Stooges albums as much as any music I’d heard. I had a VHS video of Iggy playing live and I watched it over and over. His performance was unlike anything or anyone I’d seen before. The spectacle was great but it was his voice and songs that really captured me.”

Pop chimed in on getting to work with Mogwai:

“I’ve always liked Mogwai. The opening of the track reminded me of the crushing modern loneliness. The sung vocal, which was arranged by Matt Sweeney, felt like it was made for someone who is pissed off and doesn’t mind saying so.”

Scott McPherson directed the accompanying music video. “Happy Tears” compiles rarities, previously unreleased material, live tracks and remixes alongside various fan favorites. A feature-length audio documentary titled ‘Happy Tears: The Story Of Mogwai‘ has also been commissioned, telling the band’s story in their own words.

Created in partnership with Cup & Nuzzle, the documentary is narrated by BBC 6‘s Matt Everitt. It will be included with the new compilation and runs for 2.5 hours. Reflecting on how far Mogwai have come, Braithwaite said:

“I never thought we’d be making 11 records, because hardly any bands I liked ever did. We’re doing it being weirdo Scottish instrumental misery mongers. Like, yeah, that’s pretty wild.”

“Happy Tears” (2xLP):

01 – “Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home“
02 – “I’m Jim Morrison I’m Dead“
03 – “Hunted By A Freak“
04 – “Take Me Somewhere Nice“
05 – “Boltfor“
06 – “CODY“
07 – “Brand New Paths to Helicon 1“
08 – “How To Be A Werewolf“
09 – “Auto Rock“
10 – “Remurdered“
11 – “Ritchie Sacramento“
12 – “Lion Rumpus“
13 – “Underground” (feat. Iggy Pop)

“Happy Tears” (4xLP/2xCD bonus tracks):

01 – “Angels vs Aliens“
02 – “Die 1 Dislike!“
03 – “Ether” (with The KNDS Fairey Band – Live)
04 – “The Sun Smells Too Loud” (Holden remix)
05 – “If Not Destroyed: True“
06 – “Full Blast Michael“
07 – “Hingmy Malmsteen“
08 – “Dracula Family“
09 – “Harry Patter“
10 – “Ritchie Sacramento” (Other Two remix)
11 – “Nick Drake“
12 – “Owl Mince“
13 – “Mogwai Fear Satan (Live)