Carlo Barbacci Pushes Mold!'s Noise-Rock Boundaries with III

Since 2019, Mold! has spread its explosive experimental noise-rock rapidly across the Magic City, quickly establishing itself in Miami's shifting music scene. Mold! founder Carlo Barbacci has been the throughline in the band, shaping it from a collaborative experiment into its recent evolution — a distinctly personal project with a rotating collective of talented musicians.

Closing the band's month-long Summer Moldy Tour, Mold! Will celebrate its recently released third album, III, at Gramps oAugust 30th. On the bill are Miami heroes Palomino Blond, Dime, and Survivor rocker Ben Katzman with a homecoming performance since his move to the West Coast.

III is a psychedelic magic carpet ride through a tornado. Per Mold! code, the fast-as-hell album is driven by high-energy drums and distorted, repetitive riffs influenced by Spacemen 3, with lyrics both in Spanish and English.

The album cover features collage art by Ian Duclos, Barbacci's artist friend from Peru. Mixed by Ryan Haft, III was released digitally and physically via Community Records. "It's the first time a label gives a shot. It's reassuring," says Barbacci.

Shortly after his move to Miami from his home country Peru in 2018, the 31 year-old musician made Mold! his lifestyle, channeling Miami's chaotic energy and his own anxiety into Mold!.
Investing the majority of his free time and money to the project, Barbacci wasn't left with much time or energy for relationships or hobbies. III was a turning point for the Miami musician — after trying to share the project for many years, Barbacci decided it was time to put the band's future in his hands. "It took three records to accept reality that Mold! is my thing," he shares.

"You have to be ready for something serious, but the people who come into your life are just not, " Barbacci says, comparing his band experiences to dating. "The energy fades down, and you care about it, so you're pushing and pushing, but other people don't push as hard, so an imbalance happens."

Still, Mold! wouldn't keep spreading without the support of Barbacci's rotating lineup, which has recently included Peter Allen, Francisco Lujan, Joshua Soria, Sebastian Crow, Jean Carlo Dominguez, and Nestor Rigaud.

Barbacci is ready to push Mold! to new boundaries. With undeniable tenacity, Barbacci knows that if he eats, breathes, and drinks Mold!, he can make it.

From keeping the band alive, to extensive touring, performing at Miami’s best venues, and landing spots on major Florida festivals like III Points, Bumblefest, and Winterland, Barbacci takes pride in what Mold! has accomplished so far— yet he’s hungry for more.

"I'm very determined. A part of me is tired, there are other things I want to do in life, but I feel like I can't do those other things until I achieve this. It only takes perseverance. It's like a means of survival to me," Barbacci declares.

Though Barbacci's day job as an Audio Engineer pays the bills, he wants Mold! to be his main gig. "I don't think I'm gonna make it in this world unless I keep doing this forever," says Barbacci. He's hoping his next album will be the best one yet, and the one to help him reach that goal.

"I believe in this rule that it works for everybody who works as hard as I do without stopping. It has to happen at some point," Barbacci says. "I just hope it doesn't happen in 20 years."

Mold! Album Release Show. With Ben Katzman, Dime, and Palomino Blond. 7 p.m. SaturdayAugust 3030, at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami; gramps.com. Tickets cost $20.04 at eventbrite.com.