A ‘20MG’ Dose of MOLD!
Miami locals MOLD! have been shaking up the scene for a while now with their high-caliber Punk/Indie/Noise mutt sound (often called psych-rock too). Founding members Carlo and Bronto, two musicians from Peru, moved to the United States in 2019 with the goal of making music 'in a foreign country'. They quickly gained a following in the Miami music scene, and in 2021, they released their debut album, No Silence!, which was a success, eventually earning them the title of "Best Emerging Act" by way of the Miami New Times.
They have performed at several major festivals in South Florida and beyond, including iiiPoints, Bumble Fest, Winterland, Festival Sideral, and a couple of shows in NYC. They have also opened for Los Blenders in Peru and Dion Lunadon in Miami. Mold!'s sound is a mix of noise, loudness, and melody, which is inspired by the influences that each of them brings to the table.
Their newest release is called "20mg", and it's about the experience of taking medication 'to feel comfortable in your own skin'. The song's title refers to the dosage of the medication, and the lyrics explore the singer's relationship with their medication, ultimately being a powerful and honest exploration of both the benefits and the stigma and side effects of relying on it.
PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SOUNDS LIKE A TRICKY SUBJECT TO TACKLE, WHAT INSPIRED OR DROVE YOU TO WRITE THIS SONG?
We wrote this song inspired on the doubts we go through when taking medications to treat mental health problems we’ve been through in the past. The debate of it was if these medications were necessary, or if we just have to work more on ourselves without the medication.
YOU POSE A VERY GOOD QUESTION WITH '20MG', NAMELY: "IS DEPENDING ON MEDICATION THE RIGHT WAY? OR SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR THAT PEACE ON YOUR OWN?" - DO YOU THINK IT'S BEST TO LEAVE THAT QUESTION OPEN OR HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY INSIGHT SINCE YOU WROTE IT?
Bronto came up with the name because of his medication. We’ll leave that question open because it really depends on each individual. But in our experience, medication was taken only when it was an emergency, but if we really want to quit the medication eventually, then it’s important to work on ourselves.
THE THEME OF "FEELING COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN SKIN" IS AT THE HEART OF '20MG'. WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY OF US DON'T FEEL THAT WAY IN OUR WORLD?
It’s many reasons, Everyone has their own struggle regarding feeling good in their own skin. But if you work on it every day, you can really improve more than you think. I don’t know, it’s just a lotta pressure in it, man. But you gotta be perseverant.
WHAT DO YOU THINK HELPS IN THIS REGARD?
Different ways, for Bronto it is breathing exercises, cleaning his room. Carlo goes on walks and drinks lots of cold water. We both love ziggys.
SO FAR, 2023 HAS PROVEN BUSY FOR MOLD! WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS SO FAR AND WHY?
This year is all about touring for us. Our favourite shows have all been with Palomino Blonde in the shows we’ve been playing together out of town. Much love to PB.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BAND?
Nervous and excited. Getting ready to release the album and Booking tours. just keep growing mostly as people and as a band.
WHAT DID YOU GUYS WANT TO EXPLORE IN YOUR (UPCOMING) SOPHOMORE LP?
With this album we were looking to really find our sound as a band and have that translate accurately into a record. We wanted an album that sounds exactly like how we would sound on a live show. Fast tempos, aggressive/chaotic arrangements. When you are in a studio it is tempting to test a different pedal or a different amp. For this album we only used the exact same setups we use when we play a show live.
This is not a concept album. It is more like a collection of songs. And if there is any concept at all to the album, the concept would be the sound itself.
ANYTHING FEELS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE BAND OR YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS FROM THE PREVIOUS ALBUM TO THIS ONE? WHAT HAS YOUR GROWTH BEEN LIKE SO FAR?
The creative process was very similar, Carlo or Bronto will bring an initial idea, or songs will be made in duo-jam sessions, then the songs are rehearsed with Frankie, drummer of the band, and then recorded with Ryan Haft. The growth feels a lot when we think about how much better we got to know each other.
GET IN TOUCH WITH MOLD!
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