The Molotovs On Upcoming Debut Album, Fashion, And Keeping Gigs Accessible

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With their new single ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’ out on Friday, we chatted with The Molotovs about fashion and the importance of affordable gigs

The Molotovs are the sibling duo of Matthew and Izzy Carts. Though still teenagers, the duo have hundreds of gigs under their belt and have recently played their biggest headline show to date at the sold-out Electric Ballroom.

Ahead of the release of their debut album ‘Wasted On Youth,’ out on 30th January 2026 via Marshall Records, we sat down with Matt and Izzy to talk about their upcoming releases, fashion and artistic credibility.

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As a band that’s famous for non-stop gigging, how many are you on now?

M: Around 600 gigs now.

I: Two years ago we did 105 gigs a year, so now it’s around that number – it’s always good to round up.

The sheer amount of gigging must have progressed you as a band. At what point was the ‘pinch me’ moment?

I: Everyone starts a band because they have a sheer love for the music and culture- we got our first big opportunity supporting the Libertines at Kentish Town Forum in 2021. That was a moment when it all seemed to change. But since then, there’s been lots of instrumental and formative moments, like when we first started doing our benefits shows- for all ages and accessible.

We realised when we started the band that lots of our peers couldn’t come and see us at gigs, there was a gap between the performers on stage and the audience – a cut off. Young kids couldn’t get into pubs and venues. It started out in a library in Southwest London, that went on for about six months with every gig sold out. The capacity was 200, but we ended up with 600 by the end. A very long answer to the question!

That leads on perfectly to my next question: how important is it to make rock accessible for younger generations? How are you going to stick to these values as the band gets bigger?

M: The bigger you get, the more difficult it is. Ticket prices are a big thing – there’s a band playing headline at Brixton Academy for £1 tickets, we don’t know their state with their label – but the bigger you get there’s more people with their hands out wanting a cut of what you’re doing. Face value for our headline at Electric Ballroom on 23^rd October are £12.50, that’s the cheapest on their website. Two years ago, our tickets were £3 – trajectory comes with the prices. We always try and be conscious of it, young people and us ourselves don’t have much money to throw about.

I: It’s on our minds and we want to work with venues who have an underage policy and affordable pricing so young people can come in. We don’t want to miss a generation- otherwise who are they meant to look to and be inspired by? It’s so important, or the scene will die.

My first experience of The Molotovs was 2023 in Manchester at a grass roots venue supporting Dr Dr, my ticket was only £7 – so a testament to your pricing beliefs.

I: Three great bands on that night. We really enjoyed it.

Both starting your music careers as young teens – how have you found support within the industry as you’ve grown? Especially since interacting with some bigger labels and brands.

M: It’s all been going pretty well, we haven’t really had any one fuck us over – yet. We’ve had people present ridiculous contracts – luckily we’ve had sound minds and guidance around us so we haven’t signed anything stupid.

I: If somebody does want to fill that role so we have something to write about – we’re taking applications.

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Your sound and image are deeply rooted in an alternative style – slightly mod, slightly 60s. Mod and soul never really disappeared in London, but you’ve both brought it to the front page. How do you connect with your audiences through style?

I: Fashion and music have always been so interlinked. It’s tribal – what you wear attracts similar people. You look around and go “ah, you’re in my clan too!” We did find with the youth gigs, the first four weeks kids showed up in neutral style – Uniqlo and H&M. By the end they’d put on a cravat or Cuban heels – starting to become more fashion conscious as a result of their surroundings.

M: Talking about mod, I wouldn’t consider us a mod band – we’ve all got so many different influences. Most of the kids that come to watch us don’t know what mod or punk is. It’s new to them.

Do you have any dream collaborations fashion wise? You’ve publicly repped quite a few already, but what are some on your bucket list?

M: Adidas Wales Bonner are cool.

I: We’d love to do stuff with Jeffrey Cambpell. I’ve got some pairs of very high, inconvenient 70s sandals; I take them out to festivals, and everything becomes 10 times harder, but worth it, a fun challenge. We were also recently front row for John Richmond for London Fashion Week, very cool.

Onto your new single ‘Rhythm of Yourself’ out on 31^st October. Talk me through the process.

M: We recorded it earlier this year, we thought it was a step up. Halloween single but sadly no spooky theme.

I: It is a little bit menacing.

M: Talking earlier about the music industry and our experiences, it’s about a guy who presented us with a ridiculous contract, someone who wanted to change everything about us. It’s about individuality, being yourself and doing your own thing – not letting anyone sway you for money.

Do you remember what the contract was?

M: He wanted a percentage of all our earnings for 15 years after the contract ended. Let’s say we’re not working with him, he’d just be getting free money. Bollocks. He wanted to change our style, sound, haircuts and the guitars we play. Saying we sounded too much like The Jam, which was observant because they’re one of our main inspirations; I’m happy to have a sound derived from them.

Onto your past few months- do you have any highlights from the Summer season?

M: First ever gig in Paris sold out – they know how to rock.

I: We hopefully gave them a lesson in British culture. We’ve also just been in America for eight days supporting Iggy Pop and The Damned. Playing CBGB Fest for their first year. It’s an iconic club in New York. We were backstage for Johnny Marr, Jack White – it’s crazy seeing your record collection come to life.

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Summer is the hub of touring and festivals- how do you find the Autumn/Winter season?

M: If anything, we get busier in Winter.

I: Yeah, I really enjoy our Autumn gigging culture, everyone is in warm, sweaty venues. It feels transformative when you enter a space. A gateway or portal. We’ve got our debut album coming out on the 30^th January, so touring for that. And our biggest headline at Electric Ballroom on 23^rd October.

As band that is very publicly gig-reliant instead of social media focused, how do you balance promoting music and hating bite-size content promotion?

I: Our authenticity is the number one priority. As soon as you change that- it’s your artistic credibility that goes. We won’t be forfeiting it anytime soon.

M: Stylistically people may prefer that shorter content. But subconsciously, people latch onto passion and truth. Which is a less and lesser thing nowadays. You’re never going to do something with the same passion if it’s not what you really want to do – you won’t be able to convince someone you’re the bollocks!

That sums The Molotovs up! New single ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’ is out this Friday.

Debut album ‘Wasted On Youth‘ is out on 30th January 2026 via Marshall Records.

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