Inspired #467 - Molly And The Dolly Shop
Molly And The Dolly Shop have just released her powerful new single 'Move Inside'.
Molly And The Dolly Shop is the creative world of singer, songwriter and artist Molly Burman. The Dolly Shop is an open invitation into the communities Molly has built around her music - from her bandmates and fans to her online audience and the queer community she’s part of. At the heart of Molly's songwriting is radical honesty and her music embraces the full spectrum of human emotion, creating space for vulnerability and connection. Through deeply relatable storytelling, she invites listeners to find comfort in knowing they're not alone.
As a member of the Loud LDN collective alongside artists including Piri, venbee and SOFY, Molly is committed to championing greater inclusivity across the music industry. She is also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health awareness and feminism, using both her platform and her art to spark meaningful conversations.
Molly took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
Firstly ABBA, I’m so obsessed with their harmonies and the overall fun in their music. I’ve worked in an ABBA tribute act before, which means I’ve really studied their songs and they’re just so complex and well thought out. They’re one of the only acts I could listen to over and over, not to mention their amazing style.
Second has to be Bowie. I grew up listening to him on road trips, my mum is a massive fan. His music is so weird and wonderful and explores so many different genres, which I love. I hate the thought of having to sound like one thing and not being able to play around, I really think Bowie embodied exploration.
And finally I have to say my Dad. He played as a bassist in a punk band when he was 19, he’s now a guitar teacher and writes these amazing children’s songs about animals and the environment. He’s so talented and is the main reason I got into music, he really supported me and first introduced me to the process of producing a song. Without him I probably wouldn’t be doing music, so I guess he’s actually inspiration number one.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
Sing Street! That’s one of my favourite films ever. There’s a particular line when they’re shooting a music video and Raphina jumps straight into the water. She says something like “it’s for your art, you can never do anything by half” and I ALWAYS think about that whenever I perform, film music videos or write. It’s also the most fun, heartbreaking/heartwarming film and the songs and fashion are iconic.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
Probably London. It’s where I’ve lived my whole life. It’s so full of ideas and creativity and also lots of competition, which I think helps. It’s humbling being from London, never being a big fish in a small pond, knowing from a young age that round every corner are hundreds of people just as talented as you, but weirdly it inspires me to push myself and focus on what I’m doing. I also find Cork really inspiring! It’s where my family is from, it’s so full of live music, whether it’s original acts, trad bands or ska tributes! I always feel so at one with music and really grateful for it when I’m there.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I guess I kind of touched on this but it’s my parents and also my Grandad and all my musical family and friends (sorry that’s a lot more than 1). My grandad grew up very working class, from a family of market traders. He first got into piano during the war, playing the boogie woogie with American soldiers. He then got a music scholarship and made a life for himself as a Jazz musician. That love for music was passed on through my Dad. My mum is also very musical and performed in a comedy, acapella trio. I’m surrounded by so much music and my whole family circle is connected by music. I’m so inspired by them all, and want my life to be the same. It showed me how music opens so many doors, it brings so many friendships and so much joy!
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
Pretty much just pure emotion. I’ve carried my trauma for so long and I wanted to put it into a song and really understand how I felt. I guess I was inspired by my pain and the pain of all the women in my life who related. I didn’t feel that there was a song out there that really said how we were all feeling. So I wanted to do it!
How would you like to inspire people?
I suppose I’d just like to inspire people to feel their feelings. To stand up against bad people and stand with people who need support. I mainly want people to feel safe and know that how they feel is valid and they aren’t alone.
