Holding Out
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Holding Out

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"Quotes ~ What People Are Saying About Holding Out"

"Holding Out has the perfect combination of rock passion, great groove, and exceptional vocal delivery." -Tim Ellis (Musician/Producer, Kung Fu Bakery Recording Studio)

"Holding Out is a group of serious musicians that aren't afraid to have fun. They did a great job of catering to our diverse group of guests and had both young and old on the dance floor late into the night." -Amy Wesselman (IPNC)

"When Holding Out plays people can’t help but to dance! Good Energy! Good Band!" -Cody (Thirsty Lion)

"Holding Out is a "feel good band" that gets the crowd moving. They are a great band to have for any function!" -Cristel Anderson (21st Century Productions)

"If you haven’t heard their CD or seen them live, you are majorly missing out. These guys rock, and their musical ability is phenomenal. Both lead singers are strong and are able to cover a wide array of musical styles. They are definitely one of my favorite bands." -iTunes Listener - None


"'Playing in the Rain' Album Review"

There are few things more purely joyful than playing in the rain; carefree frolicking despite the gloom, jumping in puddles just to hear the sloshing splash and see the spray shoot out from underfoot. Holding Out have created an album that evokes much of the same pleasant emotions as the activity it shares a name with. Consisting of guitarists/vocalist/songwriters, Scott Brockett and Kelly Bechtell (whom also handles keyboards) along with drummer Jen Brockett, this Portland trio seem to draw upon a combination of influences from the rock/pop genre. The sound they craft is a bluesy "roots rock" confection not unlike what the Black Crowes and Hootie & The Blowfish created in the early '90s, or Josh Kelley has done in recent years.

Being their debut album, Playing In The Rain has to not only be an accessible, enjoyable album, but also display the band's talent and potential, and both of these goals are easily accomplished. The tone is instantly set by the opening riff of the first track, "The Sun." Lyrically, the song is light-hearted with a musical arrangement to match. Bechtell's keyboards churn out a melodious organ sound that backs Brockett's energetic, soothing vocals. Most of the album doesn't deviate from this kind of sound. Under normal circumstances, this could make songs bleed into each other without any real difference between them, but Holding Out avoids this trap in several ways.

Just as Scott Brockett and Kelly Bechtell share songwriting, they too share lead vocals with either member singing their respective songs. Each of them has their own particular flavor of songwriting and vocal style (Brockett being more poppy with a higher vocal timber) but the album doesn't feel as if it were written and sung by two different people, it's incredibly cohesive and consistent. A large part of this is due to the musical arrangements, which are stellar and done by the band as a whole. There's not a great deal of soloing that goes on throughout the album, instead there's a layering of multiple guitars and keyboards with a steady percussive beat. The listening experience is also aided by the fact that Playing In The Rain doesn't have a single song that overstays its welcome. Most of the tracks come in, do their thing, and exit before four minutes have passed.

The real standout song here is "Beauty Queen", where the aforementioned arrangement coalesces beautifully to an astounding lyric, forming one of the most honest, heartfelt, touching love songs in the rock/pop genre of recent years. Written by Brockett, the song describes a girl who doesn't quite have it all together ("Sometimes she doesn't seem prim or proper, and if life was a game sometimes she doesn't know how to play"), yet is at heart, a beauty queen. Though Brockett's sincere vocals could hammer this point home, Bechtell sells it with an achingly gorgeous piano refrain and organ backing.

Other standouts include "It Was Love", with an infectious opening little guitar riff that descends to the bassline and drives the song and the "ballad" if you will, "Time To Waste". Then there's "It's Over Now", which is unique amongst the other songs in that there's a bit more of an edge to it. Unlike the rest of the album which is genuinely happy, the narrator here seems to grow increasingly upset over the fact that the other party of some sort of former relationship can't accept that things are over. If "Beauty Queen" is Brockett's tour de force, then this is Bechtell's. By the time the song meets its abrupt end, the guitar is simply snarling in the mix.

If the album has any flaw it's that it brushes with greatness, but doesn't capture it fully. In combining elements of folk, blues, and rock/pop, sometimes great musical ideas start to form, but don't always come to fruition. Still, trying to combine these influences in a hybrid can't be easy, but the band manages it very well with even the weakest songs being above average. Playing In The Rain is a good album in its own right, but as a debut for Holding Out, its even better; a near perfect introduction to a band with energy, potential, and a knack for outstanding musical arrangements. - ReviewYou


Discography

Playing in the Rain (2009)

Photos

Bio

With their debut, self-released album, Playing in the Rain, in hand, Holding Out has set out to do what they love most: connect with people through music that is honest and down-to-earth. Each bringing with them their own distinct musical style, this Portland-based rock/pop group has come together to create something unique and powerful. Playing in the Rain is Holding Out’s expression of love, learning, and downright fun, and gives listeners an energetic and sincere look into the journey of life.

In the beginning, Holding Out was simply a fun way for band leaders Scott Brockett and Kelly Bechtell to spend their time in the summer months between college semesters. “Our first performance, which was at a county fair in a small town in Central Oregon, was our initial glimpse into the possibilities of the group and the music we could create together.” They found that with the combination of Scott’s bluesy gospel style and Kelly’s southern acoustic style, a new sound is formed, and audiences are intrigued. What is more inspiring is the ability of these two guys to share both the lead singer and song writer roles with a near seamless fluidity. Scott and Kelly’s close connection to each other is exceptional, and their energetic and inviting stage presence makes their performances captivating to watch.

For the few years following their first gig, and while attending Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, Scott and Kelly continued to share their musical gifts as performers and writers with the local community. Following graduation they moved to the vibrant and expressive music scene in Portland to find new fans to share their music with. Along with drummer Jen Brockett and bass guitarist Dave Cramer, they soon found themselves in the company of Tim Ellis, a long-time industry professional and guitar phenom. “We were immediately impressed with his honest personality and his gifted talents in the music field.” Holding Out soon decided to partner with him at his recording studio, Kung Fu Bakery Recording, to begin creation of their debut album. Within no time, Playing in the Rain was born.

In reviewing Playing in the Rain, Heath Andrews from ReviewYou had this to say about Holding Out’s album: “Being their debut album, Playing in the Rain has to not only be an accessible, enjoyable album, but also display the band's talent and potential, and both of these goals are easily accomplished. The real standout song here is "Beauty Queen", where the aforementioned arrangement coalesces beautifully to an astounding lyric, forming one of the most honest, heartfelt, touching love songs in the rock/pop genre of recent years. Other standouts include "It Was Love", with an infectious opening little guitar riff that descends to the bassline and drives the song, and the "ballad" if you will, "Time To Waste". Trying to combine [elements of folk, blues, and rock/pop] in a hybrid can't be easy, but the band manages it very well. The sound they craft is a bluesy "roots rock" confection not unlike what the Black Crowes and Hootie & The Blowfish created in the early '90s, or Josh Kelley has done in recent years. Playing In The Rain is a good album in its own right, but as a debut for Holding Out, its even better; a near perfect introduction to a band with energy, potential, and a knack for outstanding musical arrangements.”

Holding Out has begun finding new venues and new audiences to bring their music to and hope to expand their reach into the world. “We are so excited about the new album. We devoted ourselves wholeheartedly to Playing in the Rain to create music that we believe in and we want to share that with the people around us. Our fans have always been so important to us and we hope to grow closer to them through the new album.” With the perfect combination of rock passion, great groove, and exceptional vocal delivery, Holding Out’s ability to appeal to the broadest of audiences seems to have no limit. Playing in the Rain is a creation that reaches audiences on a personal level and makes the listener feel like they are part of something special.