Last Updated on 2025-08-29 by a-indie
Band Name and Its Meaning
-Yuuki Takita: Could you tell us about your band name? Why did you choose “Modern Nature”? What is the meaning behind it?
It was taken from the title of Derek Jarman’s memoir ‘Modern Nature’ – it felt right to me and said something about what I wanted to achieve. He’s a very inspirational person in my life and I suppose I wanted to be associated with him to some extent
Three Albums That Influenced Their Music
-Yuuki Takita: In your press materials, it was mentioned that Jack was inspired one day by listening to a demo that Television had made with Brian Eno. Could you tell us about three albums that have influenced your music? For each album, please explain what aspects were influential and share any related anecdotes. If that’s too difficult, could each member tell us about a favorite album and a story behind it?
Well the biggest album for Modern Nature sonically is John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. I think it’s the best sounding record of all time… that’s really the benchmark for me in how I want our recordings to sound. It’s something we always come back to. I think the intention behind this album was to make something much more direct, so I think there were certain records that I thought about in terms of conciseness and directness… records that never let up – Wolfking Of LA by John Phillips is a perfect record and The La’s.
About the New Album ‘The Heat Warps’
-Yuuki Takita: Now, let’s talk about the album ‘The Heat Warps’. Starting with the title, what feelings or atmosphere does “The Heat Warps” reflect?
It’s difficult to describe why that phrase seems so relevant to this album. It captures something that we were trying to achieve but it’s hard to grasp. It conveys energy, but that’s about as close as I can get. It seems representative of the way physical objects interact with elements. In a way it’s conveying something similar to the last album No Fixed Point In Space
Changes in Songwriting
-Yuuki Takita: It seems you changed your songwriting approach for this album compared to the previous two. While the overall atmosphere continues the minimal and intricate feel of your last work, I felt that the instrumentation is even more sparse, focusing less on layering sounds and more on the fascinating interplay between the instrumental parts, almost like a call and response. How did you actually change your songwriting process for these tracks?
The songwriting never changes… I could play you the songs from this album on a guitar alongside songs from the last album and I don’t think you’d see any difference. The way that the songs are framed has changed quite a bit since the last album though. The focus on this album was the music having balance, so in lots of ways the album is coloured by the guitars and vocals and those two ingredients are mirrored by each other… but yeah, a call and response is one way of putting it… but balance was the main thing.
Album Creation Approach
-Yuuki Takita: What kind of discussions or exchanges of ideas did you have among the members during the album’s creation? My impression from listening to the album is that you might have started without a concrete concept, letting inspiration guide you through improvisation, much like creating improvised music.
There’s very little improvisation on this album, but the last album was tightly choreographed too. But you’re absolutely right. Everything Modern Nature has done so far has had a very established narrative or framework. This one was a lot more open thematically and it felt like a concept of ambition and directness was enough and provided a hypothesis that we set about proving.
Political Messages and Counter-Culture
-Yuuki Takita: In the album’s press release, Jack commented, “My own worldview was shaped and influenced by art and artists who weren’t afraid to point out problems and offer solutions, like Public Enemy or The Smiths and the wider American counter-culture.” Could you elaborate on this? I understand that UK and US music have a long history of developing in response to and countering one another. I’d like to know how this is reflected in the new album. If it’s not directly reflected, could you tell us how American counter-culture has inspired you?
I think the pressures of capitalism and the difficulties that artists face nowadays mean that there are less views expressed in music and by artists. To an extent, it’s easier to keep your mouth shut but my personal politics were informed by musicians and artists. Morrissey, for all his failings in later life, was a hugely influential figure in terms of making a generation turn vegetarian. That influence and the animals lives that have been saved by him being vocal about animal rights is incalculable. A much wider influence than his music
The Meaning Behind “Pharaoh”
-Yuuki Takita: Regarding the first track, “Pharaoh,” you commented that it is “a song about the men we have been conditioned to admire and follow, and at the same time a song about the people who inspire us to think differently. It’s as much about Pharoah Sanders the saxophonist as it is about the kings and politicians we’re taught to believe in.” Could you please elaborate on this? Pharoah Sanders is known as a collaborator of John Coltrane and a pioneer in club jazz for incorporating Black music into free jazz, correct?
It’s about people who think differently and people who aren’t afraid to live outside of the lines. I think there are two distinct patterns in behaviour in terms of dealing with the weight of consciousness. One is to make sense of the chaos by viewing life as a game that can be won. That comes at the expense of everyone else. And then there are people like Pharoah Sanders who face the void head on!
Influence from Andrew Weatherall
-Yuuki Takita: I’d also like to ask about Andrew Weatherall. It’s mentioned he played a Modern Nature song on his NTS radio show before he passed away, and I’m intrigued by the statement that his motto, “Fail we may, sail we must,” is what “Pharaoh” is about. How exactly is this motto reflected in the song?
My interpretation of that quote is that; the path ahead may be difficult, but to truly achieve something special, you must dedicate yourself to trying.
Album Highlight Tracks
-Yuuki Takita: Which song on the album was a breakthrough or represents the biggest change for the band? Please tell us the reason as well. If there isn’t one, I’d like to ask about the album’s final track, “Totality.” It’s said to reflect America’s preparations for the 2024 total solar eclipse, and I’d love to hear the story behind it in your own words.
Yeah perhaps Radio… there’s something about the interaction between the instruments that indicated a way forward. It was probably the song that came together first when Jim, Tara and I started playing earlier last year.
Totality… It was around the time of the US election and it seemed particularly telling that the country was briefly more consumed by a solar eclipse. Everyone I spoke to was so excited for it. The idea of a planet all looking up to the sky together felt strangely optimistic but perhaps some indication of a collective malaise?
Message to Listeners
-Yuuki Takita: Who do you want to listen to ‘The Heat Warps’? Or in what kind of situation would you like people to listen to it?
Everyone! We all felt very ambitious for this set of songs and I think we recognised when Tara joined that the music had stepped up. It pointed towards something with more power…. perhaps I’m being dramatic. But yeah… we want everyone to hear it. It’s good
-Yuuki Takita: Finally, I’m sure that Japanese music fans will love your music! Please give them a message.
I’m not too proud to say this; if anyone is so inclined to bring us to Japan, we would absolutely love that. It’s an ambition of mine to play there, so if you have a tonne of money, get in touch!!
Modern Nature Album Release
Album ‘The Heat Warps’
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Tracklist:
1. Pharaoh
2. Radio
3. Glance
4. Source
5. Jetty
6. Alpenglow
7. Zoology
8. Takeover
9. Totality
View on Amazon
Modern Nature Profile
Modern Nature, led by Jack Cooper. Through touring their previous work ‘No Fixed Point In Space’ (2023), the band steered towards a more structured and groove-oriented sound. The new album ‘The Heat Warps’ is the crystallization of that evolution. In addition to core members Cooper, Jim Wallis (drums), and Jeff Tobias (bass), guitarist Tara Cunningham has officially joined. Centered around the twin guitars of Cooper and Cunningham, they construct a more direct and powerful sound. The themes of collectivism and relationships with nature explored in their previous works are expressed through more direct language. While confronting the harsh realities of contemporary society, there is an optimistic perspective and hope embedded within. Believing in the power of art and community, this is an ambitious and open work that aims to be part of the solution.
Writer: Yuuki Takita
A freelance writer born in 1991 and from Tomakomai, Hokkaido. After graduating from the same university as TEAM NACS, he enrolled in a music school and majored in the writer course.
There, he produced three music free papers and conducted interviews with artists and editing.
He used his experience to join a cross-music media company that has free papers and web media, where he wrote and edited review articles and experienced sales.
After resigning, he changed jobs to a clerk at a large record shop and also wrote disk review articles for his own media.
That was the trigger for him to start working as a freelance music writer. He is currently a salaryman and music writer who dreams of holding an outdoor music festival in his hometown Tomakomai.
He likes cats, watching movies, and reading books. Nana Komatsu and curry & biryani exploration are his lifestyle.
You can find the articles he has written so far [here].
You can find the articles he has written for other media [here].
Twitter: [@takita_funky]
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