Though Mt. Doubt started out as a solo project for Leo Bargery, it’s now expanded into a collective of six talented musicians who bring a unique style, tone or personality to the table. Gearing up for the release of their new EP next month, we had a quick chat with them to find out more about their inspirations, sound and the future…
Mt. Doubt release their new EP in June
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
I usually describe our music as being ‘dark-pop’, but it does occasionally venture into slightly more atmosphere or rock-influenced territory, so I like to think there’s a little something for everyone in there!
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
So many good bands are constantly vying for the same opportunities and attention that it’s naturally difficult to be noticed or to keep people’s interest for too long, so I suppose that’s a fairly substantial and, sadly ongoing challenge!
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
It’s certainly not the easiest; it really does require a lot of time and effort. I spend the majority of my time at the very least thinking about ways that I can continue to pursue music and ensure Mt. Doubt can continue to progress and grow! That’s by no means a complaint; I wouldn’t have it any other way!
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
Massively so, I think it would be deeply strange to give up creative control over the work you’re producing, especially when songwriting can be such a personal outlet. That said, it’s also important to be open to suggestions and criticism and always strive to improve and enhance your own work.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
Lyrically I’m all over the place. A lot of phrases can spring from the oddest places; an overheard conversation or a word I like the sound of in a book or film. I like trying to vocalise quite simple thoughts in purposefully round-about ways. Musically, the range is pretty large but I think Morrissey, Nick Cave and The National are pretty consistent in my mind. Lately though I’ve been listening to a lot of Future Islands so maybe I’ll start dancing wildly soon…
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
I’m very fortunate to be able to collaborate with a group of amazing musicians in Mt. Doubt already, but if we could have an additional, seventh member I reckon it would be pretty amazing to collaborate with Warren Ellis who is a phenomenal musician; he could come along and conduct an orchestra for us, just something to keep it low-key. If Mr. Ellis was busy, perhaps Lady Gaga…
Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know…
When we played at T in the Park 2016, we very nearly didn’t make it after we drove our van into a roadside ditch in the middle of nowhere and had to be rescued by a van which happened to be passing… I also hate flying, so if a US tour ever beckons I’ll need to stock up on wholesale Valium.
Do you have any definitive aims or goals for your career?
I’d love to reach a point at which Mt. Doubt could tour the UK, playing in consistently busy smaller venues to crowds who really cared about the music. Anything beyond that would be a massive bonus. There are a lot of festivals around the world I’d love to play and I think a tour in Europe and a tour in America would be huge ticks on the musical bucket list.
Where do you hope to be by this time next year?
When we played at T in the Park 2016, we very nearly didn’t make it after we drove our van into a roadside ditch in the middle of nowhere and had to be rescued by a van which happened to be passing… I also hate flying, so if a US tour ever beckons I’ll need to stock up on wholesale Valium.
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
Very little; I’ll probably be complaining about it being too warm a lot. Aside from the complaining we have an EP called ‘The Loneliness of the TV Watchers’ coming out on June 1 on Scottish Fiction Records, accompanied by a short UK mini tour and then more music, more shows, more music, more shows…. Forever, probably, hopefully!