The foundation of what would become MAUSOLEUM started in the mid 2000’s when singer/ bassist Richard Forbes and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Joseph Elaschuk met at an abandoned brick factory in Toronto. “This place was a haven for young misfits, with slim police surveillance, mass attendance and light arson. I met some of my closest friends at The Brickworks!” recalls Rich. A few years later they found themselves living together in what would be known on the streets as ‘rat house’. With little interference from the slumlords and junkie neighbors, the two would stay up all night making obscure noise and throwing the occasional rave.

“I remember coming back from a stay in France to an open door, puddles of malt liquor, and garbage strewn everywhere. When I turned on our single black light in the living room, a bunch of rats scurried away”. Once the lease expired, Joe went to design school, Rich went to work in film, and both played on the back-line of various bands (Marvelous Darlings, Molested Youth, Foxfire).

In the summer of 2010 the pair took the leads in a new project, recruited drummer Sean Dunal, and penned over 20 songs. Working with producer Cam Findlay (ex Crystal Castles drummer, Parallels), their sound lands somewhere between 1970’s New York and 80s Manchester. After only playing two shows, Mausoleum have already been named as a band to look out for in 2011. The self-titled three song EP was released early February 2011, and they have already begun working in the studio on a follow up EP for the spring, and a tentative full length album by the fall.

Mausoleum EP artwork by Joseph Elaschuk. Package design and artwork by James Mejia. Limited cassette run (edition of 50) package design and artwork by Joseph Elaschuk.