We caught up with Molly & The Dolly Shop right after their all-unreleased set on the Open Arms Stage at Tramlines Festival. With a full rebrand, new music on the way, and a healthy dose of sarcasm, this band is navigating the London indie scene with big ideas, glam-rock attitude, and zero interest in becoming TikTok stars.
“Yeah it was great!” they beamed when asked about their Tramlines set. “We played all unreleased songs, which was exciting. The last song we played, ‘Chokehold’, we’re hoping to have out soon, but we’ve got a lot in the bank ready to go.”
If you’ve only heard their EP Worlds Within Worlds on Spotify, you might be in for a surprise, that version of the band is officially on its way out. “We’re actually hoping to get that removed soon,” they explained. “We used to perform under a different name, Molly Burman — but that sound feels younger and more poppy than we are now.”
The change isn’t just a new name, it’s a full sonic and aesthetic shift. “Playing with a band unlocks a different sound completely,” they said. “It’s more indie, alt, musical theatre, glam rock, there’s a bit of everything now.”
Deep Lyrics in Disguise
Their Tramlines set was full of humour and energy, with lyrics about everything from Love Island men to public transport breakdowns, but there’s more to it than first meets the ear.
“Yeah, some of the songs are about really mundane things like trains,” they laughed. “But pretty much every song has a message behind it. It might be delivered in a jokey way, but if you look at the lyrics, there’s usually something deeper going on. We like having that balance.”
London’s Crowded (But Creative) Scene
As a London-based band, the opportunities are huge, but so is the competition. “It feels like everyone is in a band,” they said. “We’re part of a London-based music collective which is great for community and networking, but it can also be scary, there’s just so many people doing what we’re doing.”
Still, they’re staying grounded. “It’s important to focus on what you want to do as a band, not get too lost in what everyone else is doing.”
“Nobody Cares About The Music” — Or Do They?
The band’s track ‘Nobody Cares About The Music’ takes a swipe at the content creator hamster wheel that most musicians now feel pressured to jump on.
“It’s about feeling that pressure from industry people who are like, ‘You’ve got to make TikToks,’ and you’re just standing there going, ‘Okay… can we start with the music?’”
There’s a clear frustration with the shift in how music is consumed and promoted, especially when it sidelines the actual songwriting. “There’s this common feeling that you have to be a content creator now if you want to be a musician, and we’re really trying to avoid that.”
What’s Next for Molly & The Dolly Shop?
Releases are coming, but the band is taking their time to get it right. “We’re focusing on getting music out this autumn, though we’re not sure yet what form that’ll take,” they said. “We’ll probably do single releases and try to give each song the full attention it deserves.”
Visuals are also on the agenda. “We’re looking at making music videos and just gigging as much as possible. That’s the focus, building it steadily, on our own terms.”
Watch this space: with sharp lyrics, theatrical flair, and a proudly DIY mindset, Molly & The Dolly Shop are making music for people who want substance behind the sparkle.
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