THE MOLES ANNOUNCE NEW LP COMPOSITION BOOK VIA ROBERT POLLARD’S SPLENDID RESEARCH LABEL
“CHIMES” SINGLE OUT NOW
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.
Today, Davies shares the exciting news of a brand new album, Composition Book, coming in February 2025. The album is due to be the third release on Robert Pollard’s label, Splendid Research.
On over 10 albums spanning four decades, Davies has had a revolving door supporting cast, including members of The Clean, Sugar, Sebadoh, Free Time, Woods, and The Flaming Lips, who served as The Moles’ tour band in 1995, and also covered “What’s The New Mary Jane”. Davies co-wrote the 2009 Cosmos album 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, TX. 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 Shultz. Finally, Katherine Poindexter teams with Shultz 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, Bob 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.
“Richard Davies is one of the last great songwriters on planet Earth. Every song on Composition Book is up there with his finest and so it’s no small feat that after 35 years of making beautiful records, this one is his best.” – Robert Pollard / Guided By Voices
Composition Book is due for release on February 7th, 2025 via Splendid Research.
Tour Dates (with Tobin Sprout & Bevil Web)
Wed 2/12 – Boston, MA @ Arts at the Armory
Thu 2/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Fri 2/14 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
Sat 2/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool