MOLASSES
Psychedelic Dutch collective resurrected from The Devil’s Blood.
Ten years ago, The Devil’s Blood were regarded as one of progressive music’s most enlightened new talents. But the occult Dutch band split up in 2013, and a year later their leader, Selim Lemouchi, tragically died by suicide. Now, his sister and Devil’s Blood partner, Farida Lemouchi, has reconnected with three other ex-Devil’s Blood members to form Molasses.
“The four of us had talked for a while about working together again,” she explains. “But it never seemed to be the right time: I had to get through some personal shit and the others were in new bands. Then we were approached by Roadburn Festival [in Tilburg], who commissioned us to write and perform new songs. That’s when we formed Molasses, bringing in three other musicians from Dutch bands.”
Molasses take their name from the final track on the 2014 album Earth Air Spirit Fire Water, released by Selim Lemouchi & His Enemies.
“This was the last song Selim and I worked on,” she remembers.“I chose it because I wanted something that kept his memory close to me. It is a constant reminder that no matter how much you try to let go of a horrible moment like his death, something will always stay with you – as it should do. This is a very symbolic band name for me.”
Molasses played Roadburn Festival in April this year, performing a set of new material.
“It was appropriate for us to make our live debut at the festival, because that’s where The Devil’s Blood first performed [in 2008]. We didn’t do anything from our past, but instead a 70-minute presentation of songs specially written for the occasion. It’s been our only live show so far.”
Molasses have obvious musical connections to
The Devil’s Blood, but push in their own direction.
“We have a wide range of influences,” says Lemouchi. “These include King Crimson, Pink Floyd, plus a lot of jazz input. We’re still coming to terms with what we want to be; it isn’t, though, about repeating the past, but moving forward.”
Lyrically, it seems Molasses are also heading for different pastures compared to what defined
The Devil’s Blood.
“Selim wrote all the lyrics for that band, and they were always satanic,” explains Lemouchi. “Yes, we have a very spiritual foundation to what is being written now, but it is not in the same vein. We’re also writing as a team, not as individuals. We discuss all ideas as a band.”
Having released a two-track single in April, Molasses have plans to record an album, but they’re not rushing into the studio to get it done.
“It’s important we have a set of tracks that are artistically as vibrant and powerful as they can be,” says Lemouchi. “Creativity comes first, not any business interests. When we all agree the material is as good as we can make it, then, and only then, will we start recording. Everything the band do is inspired by the search for excellence.” MD
“IT ISN’T ABOUT REPEATING THE PAST, BUT MOVING FORWARD.”