Australian mad scientist Richard Davies has long flown under the popular radar with his groups The Moles and Cardinal, but his albums are loved and championed by indie rock royalty. A lawyer by day and a proud father of two children, Davies has been prolific in his output, despite a lack of commercial success. “It’s part of my DNA, like a congenital defect,” says Davies.
On over ten albums spanning four decades, Davies has had a revolving door supporting cast, including members of The Clean, Sugar, Sebadoh, Free Time, Woods, and also The Flaming Lips, who served as The Moles tour band in 1995, and covered “What’s The New Mary Jane” on a 7″ single. Davies co-wrote the 2009 Cosmos album Jar Of Jam, Ton Of Bricks through the mail with penpal Robert Pollard.
The Moles’ new album, Composition Book, was recorded at Davies’ home in Cape Cod on an iPad and mixed by Matt Gerhard in Austin, Texas. Composition Book’s band features Boston drum titan Malcolm Travis (Sugar, Human Sexual Response, The Zulus), pedal steel / vocal / tech wiz Sue Metro (High Risk Group / Harriet Records), and the Inner Banks’ bassist David Gould and vocalist Caroline Schutz. Finally, Katherine Poindexter teams with Schutz on backing vocals – “they are a beautiful instrument together,” says Davies, “like Flo & Eddie.”
A scholar of the songwriting of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Dylan et al., Davies spins off subtle, catchy indie rock melodies, sometimes reassembled in bizarre Frankenstein arrangements and deconstructed sonic derangements.
On Composition Book, The Moles have evolved with emphasis on acoustic guitar and divine female voices. Davies’ lyrical non sequiturs and caustic wit sting, surprise and delight.
vocals / guitar: Richard Davies
drums: Malcolm Travis
vocal / lap steel: Sue Metro
vocals: Caroline Shutz & Katherine Poindexter
bass: David Gould