Molchat Doma
Молчат Дома
Molchat Doma in 2019. From left to right: Roman Komogortsev, Egor Shkutko, and Pavel Kozlov
Molchat Doma in 2019. From left to right: Roman Komogortsev, Egor Shkutko, and Pavel Kozlov
Background information
OriginMinsk, Belarus
Genres
Years active2017–present
Labels
Members
  • Egor Shkutko
  • Roman Komogortsev
  • Pavel Kozlov
Websitemolchatdoma.com

Molchat Doma (Russian: Молчат Дома, lit. 'Houses Are Silent', pronounced [mɐlˈt͡ɕat dɐˈma])[1][2] is a Belarusian post-punk band from Minsk, formed in 2017. Their current lineup consists of Egor Shkutko (vocals), Roman Komogortsev (guitar, synthesizer, drum machine), and Pavel Kozlov (bass guitar, synthesizer). Their style is influenced by 1980s Russian rock music and has been described as post-punk, new wave, synth-pop, and cold wave.

They self-released their first album, S krysh nashikh domov (С крыш наших домов, 'From The Roofs of Our Houses') in 2017 and later released their second album, Etazhi (Этажи, 'Floors') in 2018, through German independent label Detriti Records. After gaining popularity worldwide, they signed to American independent label Sacred Bones Records in 2020, who reissued their albums, marking their first releases in North America. Their third studio album, Monument (Монумент), was released on 13 November 2020.

History

Molchat Doma performing in Lithuania, 2019

S krysh nashikh domov and Etazhi (2017–2019)

Molchat Doma formed in Minsk, Belarus, and began releasing music in 2017.[2] They self-released their debut studio album, S krysh nashikh domov (Russian: С крыш наших домов, 'From The Roofs of Our Houses'), on 24 April 2017.[3] In July 2017, they released the song Kommersanty (Коммерсанты, 'Businessmen') as a single.[4] Later that year, S krysh nashikh domov received a re-release through German independent label Detriti Records.[5] The following year, the band released their second album, Etazhi (Этажи, 'Floors'), which included Kommersanty, on 7 September 2018,[6] also through Detriti.[7] The label released the album both digitally and on vinyl.[7]

Over time, the band's first two albums gained popularity through YouTube and Bandcamp.[2] Their music was uploaded to YouTube unofficially by a user named "Harakiri Diat", who also uploaded music by other bands with similar sounds. By the end of 2019, Etazhi had gained roughly two million listeners through their upload of the album.[8] The band were not initially as popular in their home country of Belarus as they were in the rest of Europe; they had played sold-out shows across the continent but never in Belarus. They have stated, however, that they have no interest in performing a sold-out show at Minsk-Arena.[9] Later that year in September, the band released two singles. The first was called Zvezdy (Звезды, 'Stars')[10] and the second was a collaboration with Russian post-punk band Ploho, called Po krayu ostrova (По краю острова, 'Along the Edge of the Island').[11]

Signing with Sacred Bones Records and Monument (2020–present)

Molchat Doma performing in Saint Petersburg, Russia, 2020

In January 2020, Molchat Doma signed with American independent label Sacred Bones Records, who later reissued their first two albums on vinyl in North America.[2] During the first half of 2020, the band gained popularity through the online video platform TikTok, specifically their song Sudno (Boris Ryzhy) (Russian: Судно (Борис Рыжий), 'Bedpan (Boris Ryzhy)'), from Etazhi; the song had been used as the soundtrack to numerous videos created on the platform.[12][13] Some notable videos that used the song include one made by a user based in San Francisco, California, who compiled several clips of his native country of Russia, adding that he misses being there,[13] as well as a "challenge" that involves a fast photo compilation of the video creator trying on as many clothes in their wardrobe as possible within a time limit.[12] The song's popularity during this time resulted in it reaching No. 2 on the Spotify worldwide Viral 50 chart.[13]

Molchat Doma had planned to tour in North America for the first time, alongside American singer-songwriter Chrysta Bell,[2] but the original tour dates were canceled once the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the continent.[13] The band contributed to a Black Sabbath tribute album, along with other signees of Sacred Bones, titled What Is This That Stands Before Me?. They covered their song "Heaven and Hell" (Russian: Небеса и ад), with a dark wave sound and Russian lyrics, for the album.[14] The album was released in May 2020,[14] and their "Heaven and Hell" cover was released as a standalone single on digital platforms later that month.[15]

On 15 September 2020, Molchat Doma announced their first album through Sacred Bones, titled Monument, and its release date of 13 November. Alongside the announcement was the release of the album's lead single, "Ne smeshno" (Не смешно, 'Not Funny').[16]

At the end of February 2022, the group recorded a video message condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The musicians reported that part of the funds from the planned concerts will be sent to the victims of the war.

In May 20, 2023, the band performed at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California.[17]

Members

  • Egor Shkutko (Belarusian: Yahor Shkutko) – vocals
  • Roman Komogortsev (Raman Kamahortsau) – guitar, synthesizer, drum machine[18]
  • Pavel Kozlov (Pavel Kazlou) – bass guitar, synthesizer[19]

Musical style and lyrics

Molchat Doma's logo

Molchat Doma have stated that they were influenced by 1980s Russian rock music from the Perestroika era, most notably the band Kino.[20] They have also drawn comparisons to both the Cure and Joy Division; Egor Shkutko's vocal style and on-stage appearance were also noted as similar to that of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.[21] Pitchfork's Cat Zhang described Shkutko's vocals as "spectral and disembodied", also pointing out that his "droning voice" is often "clouded in reverb".[22] Molchat Doma have expressed praise for the Cure singer Robert Smith and Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan, and enjoy the idea of having either one appear at one of their shows.[23]

Molchat Doma described their sound as "post-punk, new wave, and darker ends of synth-pop".[24] Writers have similarly described their sound as post-punk,[13][25] new wave,[25][26] synth-pop,[25] and also cold wave.[25] They have no drummer and instead incorporate a drum machine into their sound.[7] Corporate intelligence firm and foreign investment think-tank Emerging Europe described their lyrics as "not explicitly anti-Soviet" but also "[painting] a bleak picture of life under communism as well as contemporary life in Belarus, a country still trying to break free of the shackles of its communist past", opining that "had they been around 40 years ago, Soviet state censorship would have denied the band the right to record".[27] Molchat Doma have often been connected with "doomer music", a specific type of music listened to by doomers. It typically features cold and gloomy atmospheres, sad and introspective lyrics usually focusing on loneliness, and an overall dystopian sound, all of which writers have connected Molchat Doma's music to.[26][27][28] Many of their songs have appeared on "doomer playlists" on YouTube as a result; this also played a part in the band gaining popularity through the platform.[26]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heat.
[29]		 US
World
[30]
S krysh nashikh domov, «С Крыш Наших Домов»[31] ——
Etazhi, «Этажи»
  • Released: 7 September 2018
  • Label: Detriti[lower-alpha 2]
  • Format: CD, LP, CS, DL
 ——
Monument, «Монумент»
  • Released: 13 November 2020
  • Label: Sacred Bones
  • Format: CD, LP, CS, DL
 2112

Singles

List of singles
Title Year Album
"Коммерсанты"
"Businessmen"[4]		 2017 Этажи
Floors
"Звезды"
"Stars"[10]		 2019 —
"По краю острова"
"At the Edge of the Island" (with Ploho)[11]		 —
"Небеса и Ад"
"Heaven and Hell"[15]		 2020 What Is This That Stands Before Me?
"Не смешно"
"Not Funny"[32]		 Monument
"Дискотека"
"Discotheque"[33]
"Ответа нет"
"No Answer"[34]
"Мёртв внутри"
"Dead inside" (with Elektroforez)		 2021 N/A
"Люди-инвалиды "
"Invalid People"		 2022 N/A


Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
Spotify
Viral 50
[13]
"Судно (Борис Рыжий)"
"Bedpan (Boris Ryzhy)"		 2018 2 Этажи
Floors

Remixes

  • Geometric Vision - "Slowemotion" (Molchat Doma Remix)[35]
  • Antipole - "Marble" feat. Paris Alexander (Molchat Doma Remix)[36]
  • Ash Code - "Fear" (Molchat Doma Remix)
  • d3adc0de - "Call Out The Liars" (Molchat Doma Remix)

References

Notes

  1. ↑ S krysh nashikh domov was originally self-released by Molchat Doma but received a re-release in 2017 through Detriti Records.
  2. ↑ Etazhi was originally released through Detriti Records but received a re-release in 2020 through Sacred Bones Records.

References

  1. ↑ Molchat Doma Interview The Village (Video) (in Russian). YouTube. 4 January 2020. Event occurs at 0:17. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Pearis, Bill (28 January 2020). "Belarusian darkwave band Molchat Doma sign to Sacred Bones, reissuing LPs, touring North America". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Молчат Дома – С Крыш Наших Домов". Discogs. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 "kommersanty (single 2017) | Molchat Doma". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "Рецензия на альбом группы Молчат Дома "С Крыш Наших Домов"". Astarta (in Russian). 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  6. ↑ "etazhi (2018) | Molchat Doma". Bandcamp. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Lusso, Fabrizio (1 August 2018). "WL//WH Track Of The Day: Molchat Doma "Volny"". White Light//White Heat. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  8. ↑ Stefanini, Giacomo. "Se il punk è ancora vivo nel 2020, è anche grazie ai canali YouTube". Vice Italy (in Italian). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  9. ↑ Molchat Doma Interview The Village (Video) (in Russian). YouTube. 4 January 2020. Event occurs at 1:52. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  10. 1 2 "zvezdy (single 2019) | Molchat Doma". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. 1 2 "По краю острова - Single by Ploho and Молчат Дома". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  12. 1 2 Davidson, Emma Elizabeth (21 May 2020). "Three TikTok fashion challenges to shake up your wardrobe". Dazed. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Amter, Charlie (18 May 2020). "Belarusian Group That Sounds Like Joy Division Scores Streaming Hit on Anniversary of Ian Curtis' Death". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  14. 1 2 "Hear Marissa Nadler, Zola Jesus, Thou, Uniform, more cover Black Sabbath". Revolver. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  15. 1 2 "Небеса и Ад (Heaven and Hell) - Single by Molchat Doma". Apple Music. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  16. ↑ Hussey, Allison (15 September 2020). "Molchat Doma Announce New Album, Share New Song "Ne Smeshno": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  17. ↑ Jones, Damien (23 January 2023). "Siouxsie Sioux and Iggy Pop lead Cruel World Festival 2023 line-up with other acts including the Human League". NME. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Kalesnikava, Masha (2019-08-12). "Molchat Doma: Post-punk band from Minsk suddenly stirs emotions around the world". Euroradio.fm. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  19. ↑ "Cultprotest: Belarusians Are Together!". Charter97.org. 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  20. ↑ Velikanov, Alexander (10 September 2019). "The Story of a Vampire in a Clip of New Indie Rock Heroes from Belarus With International Amontions".
  21. ↑ Tyler, Kieron (31 March 2019). "Tallinn Music Week 2019 review: 'We All Value Being European'". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  22. ↑ Zhang, Cat (25 June 2020). "How Belarusian Post-Punks Molchat Doma Became a TikTok Meme". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  23. ↑ Molchat Doma Interview The Village (Video) (in Russian). YouTube. 4 January 2020. Event occurs at 1:08. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  24. ↑ "Molchat Doma". molchatdoma.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Conde, Chris (January 30, 2020). "Eastern European Post-Punkers Molchat Doma Bringing Dark and Dancey Vibes to San Antonio on First U.S. Tour". San Antonio Current. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 Dumler, Jean (23 October 2019). "Eine der beliebtesten New-Wave-Bands aus Osteuropa kommt nach Berlin". Tagesspiegel (in German). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  27. 1 2 Turp-Balazs, Maximilian (15 February 2020). "Postcard from a Molchat Doma gig". Emerging Europe. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  28. ↑ Walsh, Anya (6 November 2019). "Musique Doomer: le son du spleen russe devient un phénomène YouTube". Neon (in French). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  29. ↑ "Heatseekers Album Chart: Week of November 28, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  30. ↑ "World Albums Chart: Week of November 28, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  31. ↑ "s krish nashih domov (album 2017) | Molchat Doma". Bandcamp. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  32. ↑ "Не Смешно / Ne Smeshno, Molchat Doma". Qobuz. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  33. ↑ "Дискотека / Discoteque, Molchat Doma". Qobuz. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  34. ↑ "Ответа Нет / Otveta Net, Molchat Doma". Qobuz. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  35. ↑ "Slowemotion EP(2020) | Molchat Doma". Bandcamp. Retrieved 9 Sep 2020.
  36. ↑ "Marble EP(2021) | Molchat Doma". Bandcamp. Retrieved 8 Jan 2021.
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