The Rise of Molchat Doma
Molchat Doma by Molchat Doma
Houses are silent. Need we say more? A post punk/synth pop/new-wave band from Belarus. The music they make can be danced to while head banged to as well. They encapsulate what the underground 80s were like, but simultaneously bring something new to the table. I sat down with guitarist/synth and drum machine player, Roman Komogortsev, to see how he goes about his work creatively and what to look forward to with Molchat Doma in the near future.
Insanely cool name for a band. How did that come about?
The name came by an absolute accident, but still there is a subtext to it. Minsk is very densely populated with panel houses, which are very grey and gloomy. They look like concrete boxes in which it is simply impossible to live. Now imagine that their concentration per square kilometre is so big that the view from your window falls on another, exactly the same house. That is creepy. They just stand there silently and inspire us to be creative. At least it seems so to us.
What artists are you listening to currently?
Now we listen to various music, we draw, mainly, inspiration from old music – The Human League, New Order, Visage, of course Depeche Mode. Something new also skips – Riki, This Cold Night, Super Besse, Luis Ake.
What were some of your first experiences with the synth pop/new-wave sounds?
Acquaintance occurred in childhood, when at home always played such as A-ha, Modern Talking, Depeche Mode. Even then I liked all these old sounds of vintage synthesizers and drum machines.
What drew you into wanting to make music similar to those sounds?
It is hard to say. Probably a dense imprint of the cassette era that we found in childhood. Childhood is a pleasant time for us personally. And when you remember him, you immediately remember the cassette recorders, old bands, old clips, and it becomes so good. This is probably why we play music that refers to the past. Because when we play it, we are transferred to childhood, where it was good and we, too, becoming well.
Many people describe synth pop/new-wave music as darker, mysterious music, would you agree? Why do you think people would associate the sounds with that description?
I still do not understand this. Synthpop is different. Rather, they think so, because this genre is akin to post-punk, which is considered a gloomy genre. From here and comparison. I don’t think that we play very dark music straight.
In a world that constantly tests your might when it comes to pursuing your dreams, how do you all keep rolling with the punches?
Life always throws shit to you, haha. But you need to find strength and cope with it. Our dream was to be a group that would leave a mark, even though still small. And when we did it from the part, we have no right to give up. If something does not work out, you need to work hard on problems and failures, and then the universe gives you luck.
Any tips for those wanting to start making music?
Do not do what is fashionable. Do as your soul tells you. Do not give up if something goes wrong. This is all an experience that will help you in the future.
Anything to look forward to this year? I know you have a tour coming up which I will hopefully be able to attend once this quarantine business is over.
Yes, there are many plans, and this quarantine has spoiled them very much, but this is temporary. We plan to release a new album in the fall, as well as make a tour of North America, Mexico and Europe.