Molchat Doma

Years Active 2017 – present (8 years) Founded InMinsk, Belarus Молчат Дома (English translation: The Houses Are Silent) are a Belarusian post-punk band with lyrics sung in Russian. Currently a trio with Egor Shkutko on vocal duties, Roman Komogortsev on guitar, synths, and drum machine, and Pavel Kozlov on bass and synths. The trio have been dubbed “the Belarusian New Order of our generation”, but that’s not quite right – they have far more in common with the gloomy nihilism of that band’s forebearer, Joy Division, a bleak, claustrophobic quality that’s like sinking into a pool of tar. Formed in 2017, in their hometown of Minsk, the trio take inspiration from early 80s post-punk and new wave, a visceral, intense mix of metallic drums, ominous synths, and melancholic bass lines. Some tracks sound like they were conceived using basic Casio keyboard presets; others borrow from Krautrock’s motoric grooves. But all burn with a deep seated despair and frustration, Yegor Shkutko’s vocals sounding anguished and distant. The sparse, cold production of second album Etazhi also sounds oddly futuristic, the crushing soundtrack to some dank, cyberpunk dystopia.Their second LP, Этажи (pronounced Etazhi, meaning “Floors”) was released in 2018 on Berlin-based Detriti Records. It has sold out four times and is currently on its fifth repressing due to outstanding demand. Этажи has garnered over one million views on Youtube. Despite playing to packed clubs in Warsaw, Helsinki, and Berlin, they are still flying under the radar in their native Belarus.

2017年，乐队独立发行首张专辑《从我们的屋顶》（С крыш наших домов），2018年又通过德国独立厂牌Detriti Records发行第二张专辑《地板》（Этажи）。乐队在全球范围内广受欢迎，并于2020年签约美国独立厂牌Sacred Bones Records，该厂牌重新发表了唱片，标志着乐队在北美地区的首次发行。第三张录音室专辑《纪念碑》（Монумент）于2020年11月13日发布。 FOUNDED IN 2017 IN MINSK, BELARUS, AND NOW RESIDING IN LOS ANGELES, MOLCHAT DOMA STANDS AT THE INTERSECTION OF POST PUNK, NEW WAVE AND SYNTH POP. DARK YET DANCEABLE, AND WITH A HEAVY DOSE OF GOTH ETHOS, THEIR MUSIC IS REMINISCENT OF THE MASTERS THAT PREDATE THEM, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE: MOLCHAT DOMA CREATES A SOUND AND MEANING THAT IS IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZABLE AS ALL THEIR OWN. THE BAND IS COMPRISED OF EGOR SHKUTKO, WHO SINGS THE RUSSIAN LYRICS IN HIS DEEP MONOTONE, ROMAN KOMOGORTSEV ON GUITAR, SYNTHS, AND DRUM MACHINE, AND PAVEL KOZLOV ON BASS AND SYNTHS. THE BAND'S INFLUENCES INCLUDE PERESTROIKA-ERA RUSSIAN GROUPS SUCH AS KINO, AS WELL AS POST-PUNK AND SYNTH POP STAPLES LIKE THE CURE, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES, DEPECHE MODE, AND THE HUMAN LEAGUE. MOLCHAT DOMA RELEASED THEIR FIRST TWO ALBUMS THAT GREW THE BAND’S NAME THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH. SOPHOMORE ALBUM ETAZHI (“FLOORS”) WENT THROUGH NUMEROUS PRESSINGS IN EUROPE BEFORE SACRED BONES SIGNED THE BAND IN EARLY 2020. Molchat Doma: Belarusian Post-Punk Pioneers Establishment and Line-up Molchat Doma's genesis began in 2010 when Roman Komogortsev and Egor Shkutko, two young aspiring musicians from Minsk, discovered their shared passion for Depeche Mode and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Initially performing under the moniker "Net Kadrov," they enlisted a vocalist to lead their eclectic mix of funk, trip-hop, and indie-pop. However, dissatisfaction with the lyrics prompted them to reimagine their concept and line-up. With Shkutko now as the frontman, Komogortsev embraced synthesizers and drum machines alongside his lead guitar duties. However, finding a suitable bassist proved challenging, leading them to briefly consider a digital replacement. Enter professional bassist Pavel Kozlov, who completed the trio's core line-up. Musical Style Inspired by the aesthetics of the 1980s, Molchat Doma drew heavily on post-punk, synth-pop, minimal wave, and gothic rock. Their songs often explored the themes of the Soviet era, its censorship, scarcity, and its stifling ideological culture. Breakthrough Self-released in 2017, Molchat Doma's debut album "S Kryssh Nashikh Domov" and the single "Kommeresanty" garnered attention on SoundCloud and caught the ear of Detriti Records. A limited-edition cassette release followed, selling out within days. Encouraged by this success, the band released their second album, "Etazhi," in 2018. Its tracks, including "Na Dne," "Tansevat," and "Volny," further established their unique sound and earned them a growing international fanbase. International Acclaim Molchat Doma's focus on reaching a European audience initially alienated some Belarusian listeners. However, their live performances in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany drew enthusiastic crowds. A string of festival appearances and the announcement of a full-scale continental tour in 2020 cemented their status as a rising star. American Breakthrough In January 2020, Molchat Doma signed with American independent label Sacred Bones Records and re-released their first two albums on vinyl. Their popularity soared further thanks to the viral sensation of "Sudno (Boris Ryzhiy)" from "Etazhi" on TikTok. Recent Developments Despite the pandemic-induced cancellation of their North American tour with Crystal Bell, Molchat Doma remained active. They contributed a dark wave cover of Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" to a tribute album. Upcoming Album and Tour Molchat Doma have announced their third studio album, "Monument," scheduled for release on September 15, 2020. Previewed by the single "Ne Smeshno," they will embark on a tour in late November, including stops in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Minsk.