Doomed Confessionary: Jeska, Mark, Koen, Juriën & Rob (Mould)

Photo by Gijs Kamphuis

Mould is a droning low-tuned five-piece from the Netherlands, merging sonic doom and epic sludge. The blend of their guitar-heavy sound with atypical/clean female and male vocals gives their music a unique sound. Call it heavy with a sparkle, massive but open, gorgeously sludgy.

Although conceived earlier by guitarists Mark de Smit and Jeska Buhmann, Mould evolved into a full-blown guitar driven, live-playing band in 2021. After a series of live performances, their focus in 2023 was on finalizing their debut album »Pull & Repulsion«, which was just released on May 17th, 2024 via Polderrecords.

Each composition portrays its own sliding landscape, evoking oppressive and absorbing atmospheres. Mould is impatiently anticipating sharing their energy and music with devotees of slow heaviness.

Mould are Jeska Buhmann (vocals, guitar), Mark de Smit (guitar), Juriën Quaars (guitar), Koen van Soelen (bass, vocals) and Rob Dekker (drums).

Can you say a few words about your band?
We’re a Dutch five-piece band making low-tuned, guitar-heavy music. Songs contain influences of doom and sludge, but also some hints of alternative and noise. We combine female and male vocals.
Mould explores different facets of duality. This is reflected in our music, lyrics, artwork and logo.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Probably having to deal with all kinds of delays in the past couple of years, just life happening (e.g. a pandemic, personal issues, illnesses).

What can you be most proud of so far?
We are tremendously proud of our debut album »Pull & Repulsion«. The sound is exactly what we were aiming for. At the time of recording, two members had only very recently joined the band, but in the end everyone delivered and came together to get to the result we have today. We are also extremely grateful for Stephen van Haestregt’s efforts and insights before and during recording. The mixing by Matthijs Kievit and mastering by Pieter Kloos definitely provided the icing on the cake.

What was your biggest regret?
Not having started this band 10 years earlier 🙂

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Every gig has been rad so far. Always nice to discover new venues and meet new people!

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
That alone in our niche of music, there are sooo many great bands to discover across the world! It’s great to get to know new music and bands, and to be able to share our own music with people from everywhere.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Jeska: Inter Arma, Hangman’s Chair, Birds in Row, Cult Leader, STAKE, Ashenspire, Konvent…
Mark: Shellac, Body Void, Helms Alee, Sonic Youth, Thou, Slowdive.
Koen: Tool, Bach, can be anything…
Juriën: Still figuring it out.
Rob: Alcest, Cellar Darling, Opeth, Triptykon, Faun.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Buy the guitar you have been drooling over 🙂

What are your guilty pleasures?
Well, pleasures for sure, we don’t feel guilty! E.g. 90’s gangsta rap and retro house, Dutch tearjerkers, Right Said Fred, St Anger.

Can you say something more about the music scene in your part of the Netherlands?
There is a lively heavy music scene in our region, be it in the Netherlands or just across the border in Belgium. Lately there also has been an uprise of young and energetic bands which keeps the scene very much alive.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
In the short term: we’ll be performing at our release show May 18th with fellow heavy riffers Fire Down Below (BE) and Columbarium (BE). On June 1st we’ll be joining the festival line-up of Vestrock (NL). Currently, we’re planning more gigs to promote our album Pull & Repulsion.
We would love playing Slovenia one day.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
Focus on playing live. In the meantime we will release another single with video. We’re also writing new songs and hope to record a second album somewhere in the next year.

How can people best support your band?
Come support us at a show, buy merch via polderrecords.be/product-category/mould, play our music, follow us on all platforms, tell your friends what you like about it!

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Simple, be kind! And play some loud music. Or watch our video for »Dust And Venom«.
Cheers and thank you for your time.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well