ARTICLE BY JESSE MEDINA
Just Mustard, which was formed in 2015, consists of members David Noonan (guitar, vocals); Katie Ball (vocals); Mete Kalyon (guitar); Shane Maguire (drums); and Rob Clarke (bass). The up-and-coming indie rock act out of Ireland worked at a fast pace to release a couple of singles and an EP shortly after forming with support from a nurturing and welcoming hometown music community.
In 2017 the band went to work on what would become their debut LP, Wednesday. Just Mustard produced the record themselves which makes it that much more impressive because of how fully realized the album sounds from a relatively new band. The album simultaneously makes you feel uneasy with its ominous drone and noise-based soundscapes. It would be easy to lump the group and say they’re influenced by the shoegaze, noise, industrial, dream pop or post-punk genres but that would be unfair to the band, because when you get down to it the outfit may have started with that template only for the members to blow up the preconceived notions of those genres and create something they can call their own. Katie Ball’s vocals are almost out of place when you first hear the wall of sound screeching guitar noise and distorted full assault of electronics on a loop, but maybe that is the point, the dissonance created between these two elements combine to create something special and unique and is the catalyst to blow up the idea of the band fitting into any of the aforementioned genres they may be compared to.
Just Mustard released a double single this year that focuses its sound even more and teases what the band has to offer in the future by doubling down on the dark atmospheric sounds of their first album. The song Frank is a menacing atmospheric tune that worms its way into your subconscious and lingers. The opening lyrics are sung by Katie “I watch TV to fall asleep and I can’t fly in my sleep,” paired with the opening drone synth add to the unsettling feel of the track. When the guitars swell and drown out the synth combined with the melody make up for something visceral, raw and powerful. I imagine the recording only hint at the ferocity and intensity of their live show.
The band will be playing for the first time in L.A. as part of the Music From Ireland Showcase on Monday, November 4, at the Resident DTLA at It's A School Night.
Essential tracks: "Frank," "Seven," "Boo," "Deaf," and "Pigs."
BUY TICKETS: November 4th: It's A School Night! w/ Just Mustard at Resident DTLA
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