Bob Mould’s Enduring Sound: ‘Hear We Go Crazy’ and the Power of Music

Bob Mould, the iconic musician known for his work with Hüsker Dü and Sugar, is back with a new album, Here We Go Crazy. This release follows 2020’s politically charged Blue Hearts, but this time offering a sound more aligned with his acclaimed solo work and sugar era. Mould’s blend of righteous anger and enduring hope continues to resonate with fans, and he’s taking the new album on the road with J. Robbins, promising full-band performances. Beyond the new music, Mould’s reflections on his career and the power of music offer valuable insights for artists and fans alike.

A Familiar Sound,A Renewed Purpose

for longtime followers,Here We Go Crazy embodies the quintessential “Bob record.” According to Mould, “I know what my audience likes about my work, and it’s relatively painless to supply that. If you like my records, you will like this one.But I know what I am good at and what people like. While doing the solo electric shows,I found the lighthouse for this record,and then I coudl see the vision: Short guitar pop. Dark up front, uncertainty in the middle, and the hope toward the end.” This vision translates to a collection of songs that balance familiar sonic landscapes with timely reflections on the current state of the world.

The Transformative Power of Music

Mould remains a staunch believer in music’s ability to make a difference. “Moving people’s minds and hearts is still possible,” he asserts. “The magic of songwriting is when the writer puts together words and a melody that are instantly memorable to the listener. If the message is important, the melody is strong, and it gets in listeners’ heads, it will reappear for a long time. That’s better than most propaganda. I’m in your head.You’re singing it.” This enduring belief fuels his songwriting and live performances, creating a connection with audiences that spans generations.

Navigating Creativity and Connection

The inability to tour Blue Hearts due to pandemic restrictions deeply affected mould. “Blue Hearts was released in late September 2020. There was a plan, and it got knocked off course. I was out of work for two years. Being unable to tour was so arduous. After that screamer, I got kind of stuck without the crowd evaluation. I wasn’t sure how the fans felt about it,” he admits. The lack of immediate feedback impacted his creative process. “the songwriting took a while to get back. I only had three new songs in 2022 when I went out on the road for solo electric shows. But, playing those shows did bring the record into focus.”

Crafting the Sound: Inspiration and Hard Work

While Mould acknowledges the occasional lightning bolt of inspiration, he emphasizes the importance of hard work in his songwriting. “Once in a while, I just get lucky with that type of stuff. [Sugar classic] ‘If I Can’t Change Your mind’ came together in a 15-minute burst of inspiration, but much of the time, it’s me and an instrument, trying to figure it out. Often,I either have the words or the music,and I’m working to find the other part,” he explains. This dedication to craft results in songs that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

He also shared insights into how specific songs come to life. “sometimes the hook just falls out first, like[[Here We Go Crazy standout]‘When Your heart Is Broken’. A sunny, happy hook with dark lyrics. That’s my blueprint,” Mould laughed. “When it starts to rain, get a bucket and get as much water as you can. You can figure out what you can do with the water later. Don’t edit while you’re writing.Don’t get in the way of yourself.”

Mould also described the rare, dream-inspired songs. “Once in a while I get a song in a dream. When I wake up it’s all there. I just run for the recorder and start singing. It was like that with [workbook classic] ‘Brasilia Crossed with Trenton’ and also with [Sugar song] ‘Hoover Dam’. I thought I should avoid making the music too complicated for’ brasilia’ since the story is so rich. The ‘Hoover dam’ verses also came to me in the dream.I just had to write bridges to get to different parts of the Hoover Dam,” Mould laughed.

Finding Strength in Connection

Mould recognizes the importance of connection, especially in challenging times. “I am finding hope in myself and the people I work with and love. It’s dire right now. The outside world is encroaching on every moment of our lives,” he says. By focusing on the positive aspects of life and sharing his experiences, Mould offers solace and inspiration to his audience.

He further elaborates on navigating difficult times: “After election night, I turned away from television. I was consuming way too much information.All I can do right now is find hope in the people I love. What we are going through right now, other countries have gone through in the past. It pains me as the message that we progressives were showing America didn’t work. For now,I have to work,I have to take care of people. When the time is right and a message takes shape that I can share, I will be more vocal about it.”

A Legacy in Song

Bob Mould’s career spans decades, and his albums serve as a personal time capsule.”my albums are my calendar. Without them, I wouldn’t know when I did things. It serves as my personal map and memory,” he reflects. This rich history resonates with fans who have followed his journey. “People come up to me at shows and tell me their stories. Many of them have listened to things I have saeid forever. They tell me the first time they saw me or heard one of my songs. ‘You entered my life right here and you never left.’ That’s amazing. I love those stories from people,” he shares.

Ultimately, Mould’s passion for music remains unwavering. “Being a musician is a crazy ride. It’s maddening, and it’s rewarding. To get out and play and be with people is meaningful to me, too. I don’t have a retirement plan. I’ll probably be in the middle of an album cycle when I check out,” he laughed.

Here We Go Crazy is available now. Catch Bob Mould on tour this spring with J.Robbins. Experience the enduring power of his music and connect with a community of fans who share his passion. You can check out Bob Mould’s website for tour dates and for music. Don’t miss the chance to witness a true icon in action!

How does Bob Mould approach songwriting, blending inspiration with hard work?

Exclusive Interview: Bob Mould on ‘Here We Go Crazy’ and the Enduring Power of Music

Bob Mould, the legendary musician behind Hüsker Dü and Sugar, is back with a new album, Here We Go Crazy. We sat down with him to discuss the album, his creative process, and the enduring power of music.

A Conversation with Bob Mould

Sarah Jenkins, Archyde Music Editor: Bob, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us. Here We Go Crazy has a familiar yet fresh feel. Can you tell us about the vision behind this album?

Bob Mould: Thanks for having me, Sarah. With Here We Go Crazy, I really wanted to deliver a quintessential “Bob Mould” record. I wanted to give the audience what they’ve come to expect and enjoy, those short guitar pop songs with darkness up front, uncertainty in the middle, and ending with a dose of hope.I found the lighthouse for the record while playing those solo electric shows.

The Transformative Power of Songwriting

sarah Jenkins: You’ve always believed in the power of music to make a difference. How do you see that playing out in the world today?

Bob Mould: I still firmly believe in music’s ability to move people’s minds and hearts. If you combine a strong melody with an important message, it gets into peopleS heads and stays there. That’s more powerful than any propaganda.It connects with people on a deeper level.

Navigating Creativity in Troubled Times

Sarah Jenkins: The pandemic obviously disrupted the Blue hearts tour. How did that impact your songwriting process for this album, notably after such a politically charged release?

Bob Mould: It was arduous being unable to tour.After Blue Hearts, which was a screamer, I felt stuck without that crowd evaluation. I missed that connection with the audience and wasn’t sure how fans felt about it. Songwriting stalled for a bit. Playing those solo electric shows in 2022 really helped bring the new record into focus. I only had three new songs at the beginning of those shows.

Crafting the Sound of ‘Here We Go Crazy’

Sarah Jenkins: You mentioned inspiration. Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Is it mostly inspiration, or is it a lot of hard work and just grinding through the song writing process?

Bob Mould: It’s a mix of both. Sometimes you get lucky, like with ‘If I Can’t Change Your Mind’ which came together in like 15 minutes. but most of the time, it’s me with an instrument, working through the lyrics or the music. The blueprint is to get hooks first, like ‘When Your Heart Is Broken’. A sunny, happy hook with dark lyrics. Then you can get as much water as you can, and then figure out what you can do with it later.

Hope and Connection

Sarah Jenkins: You address themes of hope and connection on Here we Go Crazy. Where are you finding your strength these days?

Bob Mould: I’m finding hope in myself,the people I work with,and love. The outside world is encroaching on everything, but focusing on the positive and connecting with others is vital. I had to turn away from TV, after the election. I was taking too much facts, and what we progressives are showing America didn’t work. I need to work, and I need to take care of people.

A Legacy in Song and An enduring Connection

Sarah Jenkins: Your albums are like time capsules. What does it mean to you knowing your music has such a profound impact on your fans?

bob Mould: My albums are like my calendar, without them, I wouldn’t know when things were. It’s amazing to me. To hear people’s stories about when they first saw me, or heard one of my songs and that I entered their life right there and never left. It’s meaningful to get out and play and be with people. I don’t have a retirement plan. I’ll probably be in the middle of an album cycle when I check out [laughs]

Sarah jenkins: what do you hope fans take away from Here We Go Crazy?

Bob Mould: I hope they find something that resonates with them, whether it’s a melody, a lyric, or a feeling. Most of all, I hope it brings them some measure of enjoyment and maybe even a little bit of hope.

Sarah Jenkins: Thank you for the time, Bob. The new album, Here We Go Crazy, is out now.

Bob Mould: Thanks, Sarah.

Your thoughts

What do you think of bob Mould’s new album? What is your favorite Bob Mould song?