Molassess Interview
Risen from the ashes of a burned out candle comes a new slightly different lightbringer to save the night hour of rock music. With its way of seducing all senses this Dutch orchestra does something extraordinary that had to be examined closer. In order to do so, Hinsides Magazine finally did manage to get in touch with one of the wizards behind Molasses. This is what he had to say about their fruitful resurrection.
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Hinsides Magazine 2023
Mr Oeds and a dot of black information.
Greetings Oeds, and welcome to Hinsides Magazine! Please introduce yourself and reveal what kind of circumstances you are in right now?
Hey thanks, I'm Oeds Beydals, a musician. I'm currently rehearsing material of the great Alain Johannes (Queens of the stone age, Eleven) to do some shows together with him and a new project called Iron Jinn. Should be interesting.
Three years have passed since the release of Molassess debut LP. A wonderful record that stands out in terms of both ambience and songwriting. How do you feel about this album today and what kind of response has it received?
I feel very good about having had the opportunity to make this album. It was very cathartic to create it and deepened the connection we have as people. Because of the history there was some weight on it as well but we managed to steer far enough away from that to really create a sound of our own. And I think also because of that the response has been good. Although we haven’t been around to really get it all out there. So there are some question marks of what it could have been.
It’s not just the music on "Through the Hollow" that stands out. The monochrome coloring and pure shapes of it´s cover image also distinguish this release. What does this image symbolize and how does it connect to the concept of your music?
It symbolizes all these layers that you go through looking for answers and the essence of creativity. Also the changing perspectives, the world turned upside down a couple of times here and there.
The Devil's Blood disbanded back in 2013 after a rather successful and turbulent career. How would you prefer that the outside world looked upon the legacy of this band and the connection to Molassess?
I hope people don’t dwell to much on nostalgia, because I think TDB had a very progressive spirit, Selim really taught people to listen to things they hadn't heard before. I think we also have some of that spirit.
Farida Lemouch; the voice of a thousand voices.
Is it possible for you to make a personal and honest description of your adventures in The Devil's Blood and how would you describe the time between the end of that journey and the beginning of Molassess?
For me The Devil's Blood was all about learning, somewhat of a musical mentor i'd say. The musical connection to spirituality and also the technical side, harmony, sound etc. I took a lot in and it resonated with me and still does. After it disbanded I had the time to shed my own light on all of this touring with my own bands. And years later some of us got the chance to do something together again which was really special, but because of circumstances I think we haven't achieved even a small part of what the band could be if given the space. We created some great music but still haven't done proper touring, which does make the music come alive, and creates this group dynamic that is essential to a band in a way.
Is there any exact moment when Molassess came to life or was the process that conceived this entity of a di?erent kind? Please explain how it all happened and lead us through your thoughts and emotions connected to the birth of this band.
Thoughts about making music with these people were always lingering. But the heaviness surrounding it was also a thing, and everyone also had so many other things going on. So when Walter Roadburn contacted us it was such good timing. Everyone had time on their hands all of a sudden and the will to create something that would really take this further. The ?rst music we recorded was actually written quite a long time ago, but were tracks that could only be played with these people. So they were on the shelf for a long time. This means it was in the back of our minds for longer and ?nally had the chance to surface.
How would you describe the audience that Molassess attracts? Any part of the world that seems to be particularly excited? Does the band speak to the young generation of today or are your activities merely a concern for the aged?
I can only go from social media etc describing this. Because we haven't had the chance to play live almost at all. But it's quite mixed and very international.
Do you consider Molasses to have a clear concept when it comes to what you want to achieve as a band? How would you de?ne the quest and purpose of Molassess to someone uninitiated?
This is a hard one now, I feel this is always subject to change. And we’re on a hiatus right now so we have to see when we get back at it.
Speaking of concepts, this issue of Hinsides Magazine is dedicated to investigate thoughts, opinions and experiences connected to the spiritual side of life. A ?eld of interest that sometimes evokes a lot of feelings depending on your background. So, let's hear your thoughts on what lies beyond scienti?c recognition; Is it something that interests you, and if so, in what way?
I think the mechanical and rational worldview is really dominant at the moment. Also in the way society is reacting to ‘crises’ I think we can see how this is turning out. As if we can explain the whole world by excel sheets and models.
I have something against that. I think almost any artform speaks to the contrary. Making great art that lives in the moment is almost the exact opposite of this world view. And it has interested me how people attain this state of mind where they hit that creative space.
Alternative logo by Hinsides Mag
And besides your personal views on ”the unknown”. To what extent does Molassess depend on inspiration gained from beyond the veil of mundane life?
The music is also a way to connect or celebrate energies that are not physically present in the rational world. And I think to some extent everyone playing with this type of feeling can’t reach it by just overthinking, to me it's very logical.
What does the songwriting process look like when music is being made for Molassess? Are you all equally involved, or who does what? How would you describe your own contribution to this collective when it comes to creative input and personal characteristics? Does it differ somehow from when you played together before?
Both Ron and I have made basic song structures and worked out vocal lines and lyrics together with Farida. Later on we jam to it with the band and then it becomes close to final. I really took in a lot over there years that did not find the right outlet, and with this project we could do all of that.
It is really different in its core from any of the music we played together before. Also since we played together earlier our personal characteristics have changed, because of growth and different directions we went in.
What do you consider to be the most and least rewarding aspects of being a member of Molassess?
The process has been wild going through all of these different emotions, creating something, standing behind it fully. And then still not getting the chance to really put it out there. It has been very frustrating also. But still the love for it surpasses that.
You’ve been creating and playing music in several different projects for many years now. How would you describe your development as a musician? Any crucial moments worth mentioning?
I started to play the cello at 4 years of age. Starting a band at 13 years old, touring for the first time at 16.
Joining The Devil's Blood, creating Death Alley and then after a long time coming back with Molassess basically taking everything from earlier experiences. And since we’ve not been able to really tour, another band formed: Iron Jinn which is a band I created together with Wout Kemkens (Shaking Godspeed). He was actually Selim’s first pick for playing guitar in The Devil's Blood, but he declined to form his own band.
And what would you say are your most valuable insights gained from creating and performing music? What keeps you going?
The creation of your own universe is a great tool for liberation. When we were completely locked down in Holland we still had that. The energy it can bring and also the energy it possesses to change perspectives, mainly my own, probably is powerful. And now since I'm finally back on stage after a long time it feels great connecting and seeing the effects of what we bring to the table.
What´s the status of the band today? Any new material in the making? If so it would be very interesting to know what can we expect from it?
The band is on a quite long hiatus right now due to medical issues some of us are working through. We have a lot of new material, which is not that new anymore, haha! But it does take the whole sound and energy further again. I hope we can finish this at some point, and present it properly.
Ok, it´s time to close the book for now, but before this storytelling session is over we´d like hear your hopes for the next chapters of your own personal life, the continuation of Molassess and the world we live in.
Thank you for your interest. It means a lot. I hope we can keep on bringing new music and evolve freely. With whatever project that might be. Hopefully there will be a time where Molassess can also shine in the way we’d like it to. And as for the world we live in: Let’s see where this new age takes us, maybe we’ll move to a little cabin in the woods in Sweden someday.
Thousands of thanx for your time Oeds! Hinsides Magazine wishes the best of luck to you and Molassess in the future.
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