It’s been a few weeks since we heard Losing Friends, the blistering new EP from Molly & The Krells. They’re a band that doesn’t mess around, whether it’s in their scintillating riff work or the no-fucks given lyrics splattered across every one of their tunes.
It goes without saying, we had to meet the mind behind the music. So we caught up with lead vocalist and bassist Blake Cateris for the latest.
Music should be cathartic, and nobody knows it better than Molly & The Krells. Find out how they poured blood, sweat and tears into their killer new EP Losing Friends.
HAPPY: Hey there, how are we? What are you up to at the moment?
BLAKE: Hey guys, we’re great. Been rehearsing and working hard to make sure that the release shows are as good as we can get them, so much build up and we’re keen to get back on stage as a unit.
HAPPY: Losing Friends has been out for a hot minute now, how are you finding the reaction to it?
BLAKE: It’s been nothing but positive and we’re so proud of how it’s turned out and grateful to everyone that’s been involved in the process. It’s a big step up from our previous release – the songs are stronger, we’re all playing better and it’s a massive step in the right direction for the band.
HAPPY: It seems like a super cathartic release, what did it feel like to finally put it out there publicly?
BLAKE: There have been a lot of great things, and a lot of unfair things that have happened to me since I started to write again after Relationshit. To get it all off my chest feels like a big weight has been lifted from me and I feel free and empowered.
HAPPY: Is there a kind of power or satisfaction to writing about people you’ve left behind in life? Or is it a tougher feeling to deal with?
BLAKE: Definitely power and satisfaction. They’re all very personal songs but I feel they’re delivered in a way where they’re open ended enough to give anyone listening a chance to be able to relate to them from their own experiences too. You gain a greater appreciation for the music that way.
And it’s also great to know that from those that are privy to my personal situation, I’ve received countless messages from people saying how awesome and inspiring it is that I’ve expressed it all artistically.
HAPPY: You worked with Hayden McGoogan on the EP – where did you record? How did he shape the process?
BLAKE: We recorded at Def Wolf Studios with Daniel Antix. As versatile as he is, he’s got a great ear for this style of music and there’s already a certain rapport between us that helps the process become a lot more comfortable for everyone so it was a no-brainer to go to him for this EP.
Hayden is great. I’ve never met anyone his age that has the amount of knowledge or control over the art of songwriting as he does. He was so respectful of the songs as I presented them to him and just basically did what you’d expect a producer to do – take all the ideas on the table and arrange them in the best possible way to get the best possible product.
HAPPY: What is a Krell? Enlighten us!
BLAKE: Haha! Way back when we were trying to figure out what to call ourselves, no one was coming up with anything that made us go ‘oh that’s the one!’ so we just began talking about other things. This part of starting a new band is hit and miss – it can either be oh so simple or the most gruelling task ever.
The conversation led to a competition trying to see who could come up with the most street names for drugs (weird, I know) – then our old drummer just went “How about Molly & The Krells?” and we collectively agreed and locked it in!
HAPPY: Given a couple of these songs it sounds like you would be pretty ballistic live. What does a Molly & The Krells live show look like?
BLAKE: We like it loud, fast and try to work up a sweat. It doesn’t feel right if you come offstage with just a couple of beads on your brow – go hard or go home. I think the build up to actually getting back on stage is definitely going to help our adrenaline kick into gear.
HAPPY: Talk us through the shows you have coming up. What kind of preparations are being made?
BLAKE: We’ve organised a five-date tour for October running down to Melbourne for a few shows with some sick bands, then onto Wollongong, Sydney then out to Leeton. We HAD to get a show in Leeton, our drummer Chip doesn’t stop talking about how epic shows are in his home town so we locked one in for after our Sydney show.
HAPPY: Awesome – thanks for the chat!
BLAKE: No, thank you!
Catch Molly & The Krells on their Losing Friends EP tour:
Oct 4th – Vineyard, St. Kilda
Oct 5th – Last Chance Rock N’ Roll Bar, Melbourne
Oct 6th – Dicey Riley’s, Wollongong
Oct 26th – The Chippo Hotel, Sydney
Oct 27th – The Leeton Hotel, Leeton
