Stuart Braithwaite | |
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_CROPPED.jpg) Braithwaite in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Stuart Leslie Braithwaite (1976-05-10)10 May 1976 (age 49) Lanark, Scotland |
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Post rock,instrumental rock,art rock |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals, bass |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Rock Action,Wall of Sound,Matador |
| Member of | Mogwai |
| Website | mogwai |
Stuart Leslie Braithwaite (born 10 May 1976) is a Scottish musician, singer and songwriter. He is the guitarist ofpost-rock bandMogwai, with whom he has recorded ten studio albums. He is also a member of the British alternative rocksupergroupsMinor Victories[1][2][3][4][5] and Silver Moth.[6] He has used the namePlasmatron in the credits of Mogwai's debut albumMogwai Young Team,[7] as a social media handle,[8][9] and as the name of his signature guitar pedal.[10]
Braithwaite's family, on his mother's side, originate fromFlesherin on theIsle of Lewis; he was born inLanark and raised in the rural Clyde Valley.[11] His father was a telescope maker and was involved in the placing ofSighthill stone circle; in 2013 Braithwaite organised a benefit concert to raise funds for the campaign to save the stones, which were then under threat from a proposed redevelopment.[12]
Braithwaite grew up listening to records byThe Cure,Joy Division,The Stooges,The Velvet Underground,Black Sabbath and other artists. At age 10-11, he bought his first electric guitar and “totally fell in love with it”. He attendedStrathaven 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.[13]
Braithwaite has an older sister named Victoria.
Braithwaite metDominic Aitchison at aNed's Atomic Dustbin show at theQueen Margaret Union in Glasgow on 10 April 1991, and four years later, along with school friend Martin Bulloch, they formed Mogwai.
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 calledThe Sick Anchors. He is also a member of the Britishalternative rocksupergroupMinor Victories.
In 2016, Braithwaite took part in a documentary about the Glasgow music scene andChemikal Underground calledLost in France. The film was directed by Niall McCann and brought Braithwaite (along with members ofThe Delgados,Franz Ferdinand and others) toMauron, Brittany, to recreate a gig they played there just afterMogwai had formed. The film features Mogwai live, as well as footage of Braithwaite playing Mogwai tracks solo. It also shows Braithwaite playing live withAlex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand and musicians such asEmma Pollock,RM Hubbert andHoly Mountain, and interviews with Braithwaite and his old label-mates.Lost in France premiered at theEdinburgh International Film Festival to wholly positive reviews and was called "Funny, vital and sobering"[14] by Scotland's arts publicationThe Skinny.
In 2022, Braitwaite's memoirSpaceships Over Glasgow: Mogwai, Mayhem and Misspent Youth was published by White Rabbit, an imprint ofOrion Publishing Group.[15] Fiona Shepherd inThe Scotsman called it "neither a glamorous nor an indulgent account and, as such, probably closer to imparting what it is actually like being in a successful band."[16]
Braithwaite's musical technique is characterised by the heavy usage ofeffects pedals,[17] used to create ambient instrumental guitar sounds. As with much music associated with thepost-rock style, his playing emphasizesmelody anddynamic contrast over virtuosity.
In 2021, Reuss Musical Instruments of Denmark released the Plasmatron, a Stuart Braithwaite signature guitar effects pedal. The circuit is based on theDanelectro Fab-Tone Distortion and theElectro-Harmonix op-ampBig Muff, with the two effects mixed in parallel.[18][19]
Braithwaite married musician Elisabeth Elektra in April 2019.[20] He was previously married to music promoter GrainneBraithwaite-Vedamanikam.[failed verification][21] Braithwaite is a supporter ofCeltic F.C.[22]
Braithwaite is a vegan.[23]
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