By Deaglan Howlett | Posted September 17, 2019
Good Ol Boys is the latest release from indie rockers Molly Ringworm. Based out of Atlantic County, NJ, this is their second EP since the release of Tape 1, back in September, 2017. Good Ol Boys is the culmination of a year's worth of work in the studio and writing for the group. Singer and guitarist, Sarah Holt, was kind enough to talk about the band’s history and what went into this phenomenal release. Thanks again, Sarah!
When did Molly Ringworm form? When did you start releasing music?
Molly Ringworm started as a solo project in high school in 2015. I put out my first two singles, "561" and "All The Time," in 2016. I would grab anyone that would play with me for a live show as a duo, a trio or solo. Niko has been there from the beginning, originally playing bass. This past year, the lineup finally solidified into a four piece.
How did you meet?
Guitarist Johnny Zappas and I are cousins. We have been playing in bands together for ten years now. We both went to a performing arts high school where we met and became friends with bassist Andrew Simpson and drummer Niko Berardo. We've been playing together in all different projects ever since!
Who are your biggest influences?
Liz Phair and Joni Mitchell are who made me pick up a guitar and start writing. Phair, Mitchell, Stephen Malkmus, Elliott Smith and Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz, Sad13) are who I look up to for lyric writing and guitar playing. The Beatles have also been important to me from a young age. They are masters in melody, harmony, songwriting structure and attitude.
How has your music evolved since you first formed Molly Ringworm?
I think the main way Ringworm’s music has evolved is its shift from a solo project to a group effort. I’m still writing all of the songs, but I also have the input and contributions of parts from my talented friends. All of our creative brains together make songs better than I ever thought they could be written alone in my room.
What was the process like writing and recording Good Ol Boys compared to previous releases?
With the singles and the previous EP, Tape 1, everything was recorded in a matter of days. Recording and mixing Good Ol Boys was spaced out over the course of this year. We recorded and re-recorded and had to find time here and there with our busy schedules. We also really took our time mixing, which with the passing of time we have learned more about since previous releases (thank you Andrew for leading that brigade).
Favorite song on Good Ol Boys and why?
The guys' favorite is "Timmy." There's this sort of dynamic explosion in the chorus that Niko described best as a release of tension. There's a lot of energy to it, especially when we are playing it live. My favorite is "No Matter What" because the subject matter is so important to me. The song is addressing misogyny in the music scene in forms of condescension, exclusion, harassment and complacency of peers and friends. It's a call for men who claim to be feminists to recognize misogyny when they see it, and to speak out when their female friends are silenced.
Upcoming shows:
Saturday, October 5 - 7:00pm
Molly Ringworm @ The Whitechapel Projects
15 2nd Ave.
Long Branch, NJ 07740
w/ Ornamental & Format War
Friday, October 18 - 7:00pm
Molly Ringworm @ The Clubhouse
Inside The Downtown Shops @ 53 Main
53 N Main St.
Toms River, NJ 08753
w/ Dolly Spartans & Heartsigh