Dull Mourning is a post-hardcore band from North Carolina. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with them more than once in the last few years. They are, in my estimation, one of the southeast’s most unsung gems.
I sat down with Dull Mourning bassist/vocalist Jonathan Owens to talk about the band's background, their new Slow Bullet EP, and more.
How long has Dull Mourning been active, and how did you all come together?
Dull Mourning has been active since 2021. Before that, Me, Owen, and Caleb were all in a band called Paperback from 2015 to 2020, so we’ve been playing music together for about a decade now. Owen and I originally met through church, and I met Caleb back in high school — our metalcore bands used to play local shows together.
Brandon was a mutual friend in the scene. Paperback had played with his old band a few times, and we always clicked. So when Paperback ended and we needed a guitarist for Dull Mourning, he was the first person we reached out to.
Where exactly in North Carolina is the band based out of? What do you find noteworthy about your experience there?
We’re based out of Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina. One of the coolest things about being from this state is how much it has to offer — beaches, mountains, and a ton of great cities.
The music scene here has really thrived post-COVID, and it's been incredible to see such a strong, supportive community emerge. If there’s a con, it’s that being in a smaller market sometimes makes it a little harder to get eyes on what you’re doing.
What would you say are some of Dull Mourning's musical influences?
For our latest EP, the biggest influences were Hum, Deftones, and My Ticket Home. Lyrically, I draw a lot of inspiration from David Bazan of Pedro the Lion, and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab.
What are some of the lyrical themes that can be found on Slow Bullet?
The EP centers around themes of loss and acceptance. Writing it was my way of working through some intense emotions in a healthy way. "Solid Gospel" is about coming to terms with no longer believing in God and navigating life after a BPD diagnosis and a suicide attempt. "Drain" and "Slow Bullet" both explore the end of a failing relationship — how painful it is, but also the strange sense of relief that can come with it.
"My Own Hell" is my perspective on what it’s like to create in the digital age — how as artists, we put our most vulnerable selves into the world, only to sometimes be treated as just another number by listeners. It's about learning to be okay with that vulnerability and criticism but how it inevitably makes me spiral haha.
How did you connect with Sunday Drive Records, and how has working with them been so far?
Working with Sunday Drive Records has been a dream. Jonathan (from SDR) is incredibly creative — he’s designed all our album covers, some show flyers, and a couple of shirt designs too. His vision is consistent and inspiring.
We got connected through Owen and Caleb being in Holy Figures, who were signed to New Morality Zine. They told Nick (from NMZ) about our new project and suggested we send our music to Jonathan. Somehow, he liked what he heard, and we’ve been working together ever since.
What are some bands from your area you’d recommend?
Definitely check out: A Knife in the Dark, Eyez Wide Shut, Watch Myself Die, Fake Eyes, Divine Right, Navtec, Holy Figures, Old Suns, Fading Signal, Floria in Silence, Pipelayer, Super Reg, Lucky Feeling, Chained, Owe You Nothing, Shrine, and Demonize. The scene is stacked.
Do you have any touring plans at the moment?
Absolutely! We're in the process of planning some weekenders right now, and we’re hoping to hit the road for a longer tour later this year.
Any final thoughts for the No Echo readership?
Start a band. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — just grab your friends and start jamming.
***
Slow Bullet is available now via Sunday Drive Records.
Dull Mourning on social media: Instagram
Tagged: dull mourning
