Just Mustard

Just Mustard are a Dundalk, Ireland-based group active since 2012. The band comprises Katie Ball on vocals, David Noonan and Mete Kalyon on guitar, Rob Clarke on bass, and Shane Maguire on drums, with Noonan also contributing backing vocals. Their sound draws on noise, post-punk, post-rock, shoegaze and trip hop, and they are also associated with lo-fi and electronic influences.

Early releases and recognition

The band’s debut album, Wednesday, brings them notable attention in Ireland and earns a Choice Music Prize nomination for Irish Album of the Year. It also receives praise from NME, which calls it “a two-toned masterpiece,” while the Irish Independent describes it as “a swirling atmosphere-heavy thrill-ride.”

Their single Frank and the AA-side release Frank//October help them reach a wider audience beyond Ireland. The track Frank is named KEXP’s Song of the Day, BBC Radio 1 names it Tune of the Week, and The FADER premieres the video. The companion track October also receives positive attention from Stereogum.

Live profile and touring

Just Mustard build a reputation as a live band as well as a recording act. They support Fontaines D.C. on a sold-out UK tour and later again on a US run. They also appear at major festivals including The Great Escape, Primavera, Green Man, Electric Picnic and SXSW. NME includes them among the “12 best acts” at Primavera, and Robert Smith handpicks them to support The Cure at Malahide Castle.

Heart Under and later work

The band’s second album, Heart Under, is their first for Partisan Records. It continues their move away from a straightforward shoegaze label and presents a more singular approach, with scything guitars, heavy atmosphere and Katie Ball’s vocal style remaining central. The album includes brooding songs such as Still and In Shade, alongside lighter, dreamier tracks including Sore and Mirrors.

Recording for the album takes place primarily at Attica Studios in rural Donegal, with additional recording and post-production completed at home. Ball’s vocals are also recorded at home, allowing for a more detailed performance. The band then works with mixer David Wrench, whose credits include Frank Ocean, Let’s Eat Grandma, Jamie xx and FKA twigs.

Writing and style

Just Mustard’s songs often come from Ball’s private emotional life rather than from external events. The band describe the mood of Heart Under as shaped by sadness, sorrow and a feeling of heaviness, with the record aiming for a personal rather than outward-looking perspective.