Molchat Doma on Belarusian synth, playing live and Depeche Mode

If someone asks about your favorite band from Minsk, Belarus, you may say Molchat Doma.

The band, whose name translates to "Houses Are Silent, consists of singer Egor Shkutko, guitarist-synth-player-programmer Roman Komogortsev and bassist-synth-player Pavel Kozlov. The dark-synth trio has spent the last eight years making a serious name for themselves in Europe and the U.S. for their ominous goth sounds. Their latest record, "Belaya Polosa" (translates to "White Stripe"), debuted in early September 2024.

With appearances at Cruel World Fest in 2023 and Coachella in 2022, Molchat Doma has proven they can hang with the legends who paved the way. If you check out the title track from "Belaya Polosa," you can certainly hear the influence of Depeche Mode. Meanwhile, a song later, “Beznadezhniy Waltz,” slowly eases into existence, with the listener transported to a hypnotic landscape that sets the stage beautifully for the lush pop of “Chernye Cvety.” Much of the record is reminiscent of the Molchat Doma's influences, but the Belarusian lyrics lend an air of uniqueness.

Molchat Doma are set to bring "Belaya Polosa" to The Van Buren in Phoenix later this week, and so Phoenix New Times recently caught up with the band via email. The band, who asked we attribute all quotes to the group, discussed their many influences, the band's origins and their latest LP, among other topics.
Phoenix New Times: First and foremost, congratulations on your success. I first heard you on a mix that my wife made for a road trip and was amazed at how well you blended in with the other bands we love like Bauhaus, The Cure and Joy Division. I’m curious what the band was listening to as you were becoming music fans and how you feel your sound developed over time?

Molchat Doma: Thank you for the congratulations! It is a great honor for us to be compared to such iconic bands as Bauhaus, The Cure and Joy Division. The music of the 1980s and 1990s has always been an important part of our inspiration. We grew up on the sounds of post-punk and new wave but also found inspiration in electronic and industrial music from that era.

Bands like Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and Joy Division left a deep mark on how we perceive music and its atmosphere. The sound of our band formed at the intersection of synthesizer minimalism, cold melancholy and live instruments. At the same time, we never aimed to simply copy the styles of the past; we searched for something of our own, reflecting a modern perspective through the prism of post-Soviet architecture and our surroundings. Over time, our sound has become more versatile and professional while maintaining a recognizable emotional depth.

Please tell us about how the three members of the band met and why you think you work so well together.

We met in Minsk when we were just ordinary guys passionate about music. The band came together quite naturally: we were friends who often discussed musical ideas and experiments. Each of us brought something unique to the overall process. Egor has a unique ability to convey emotions through the minimalism of lyrics and their delivery. Roman is our musical architect, always striving to find new textures and sounds. Pavel provides the pulse and rhythmic foundation that makes our tracks cohesive.

We work so well together because we share a common understanding of what we want to create despite our differences. We are not just bandmates; we are friends who enjoy experimenting and finding a balance between minimalism, dark aesthetics and sounds that resonate with listeners.

Please give me a little background on your latest record, "Belaya Polosa." How is it different from previous work and what are your favorite tracks to play live so far? Any big surprises while recording the record?

Our latest album reflects the evolution of our sound and creative approach. Compared to our previous works, we aimed for a cleaner and more polished sound, moving away from lo-fi aesthetics toward a richer and more danceable vibe inspired by early Depeche Mode and electronic music of the 1980s.

One of our favorite tracks to perform live is “Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh Kto Ya,” which combines elements of dark disco and synth-pop, creating an energetic and captivating atmosphere for live shows.
During the recording process, we experimented with various sound textures and rhythms, which led to a more diverse and dynamic result. This allowed us to expand our musical horizons and present new facets of our creativity to listeners. Overall, "Belaya Polosa" represents a step forward in our musical development, combining our signature dark themes with more vibrant and energetic arrangements.

What are the best and worst parts about touring for Molchat Doma? Some bands tend to prefer the studio side of things or playing live. Where do you fit in that equation?

Each of us has a different opinion on this. Some of us prefer the studio work, and the process of exploring new sounds, experimenting and creating music from scratch. Others enjoy touring and live performances, where we can feel the energy of the audience and see the music come alive in real-time. So, on average, it’s probably 50/50. We try to find a balance and enjoy both aspects of being musicians.

What does 2025 hold in store for Molchat Doma?

First and foremost, it’s the American tour, and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone. In addition to that, we have quite a few surprises planned for our fans, though we’ll keep the details under wraps for now. Stay tuned — there’s a lot to look forward to!

Molchat Doma. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St. Tickets are $48. Visit the website for tickets and information.