Holly Who
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
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HOLLY WHO
The Underground
May 23rd, 2015
Review: Jim Kellar
Every great band takes fans on a journey. That’s why people attend live shows - to take a ride like no other.
This gig felt special every step of the way, a cool crowd stepping in from the crisp winter night, well dressed and ready to dance, and listen. Hip vibes from the opener, Daniel March. There was an air of expectation, excitement, an invitation to indulge in something special.
I don’t think anyone left disappointed. With vocalists Holly Clayton and her sister Jess front and centre, their original soul with a classic twist reaches deep, backed by a stunning band featuring lead guitarists Adam Miller and Drew Daniels, drummer extroadinaire Dom Borzestowski, Cam Daniels on keys and Luke O’Dea on bass.
From the opening salvo of 'Ain’t No Fire' this tight band lights up. Pushing into 'Love Me Like', 'Throw My Love' and 'Peace In My Soul', you can feel they are preaching to the converted, a good portion of the audience knowing the songs.
Yes, we are talking sexy lead singers - Holly in black sequin top, black high jeans and waist-length dar hair; platinum blonde Jess in killer high heels and double distressed denim, playing off Holly and taking control when needed. They are the same but different. Their beautiful high-note harmonies carry the wave this band rides on. When they alter course and Holly brings up her deepest soul shouts, they reach another zone altogether.
The guitar solos shared by Miller and Daniels add an incredible dimension to this outfit. Goodbye predictability, hello danger. Individually, they were brilliant; together dynamite.
The effect of this chemistry between vocalists and musicians means that just when you think they are taking you down the road of pop-inspired soul you realise you’re in jazz territory.
Drummer Borzestowski doesn’t help you make up your mind. He’s just as much of a jazz gun as a rock’n’roller. His solo on Love Me like was another indication of how exploratory this band is, allowing creative explosion in the middle of lyrically-driven pop groove.
As for the journey, Holly Who knows you’ve come for the fun and they encourage the crowd. By the time of their cover of 'Gimme Some Lovin', everyone was on board. As Holly and Jess ducked for cover onstage to let Cam Daniels knock our a riveting keyboard solo, and the dancing crowd mimic and duck down too.
Holly Who is pushing hard to be heard. Their show is tight, fun, sexy and soulful. Of course they are delivering on a genre that’s not the flavour of the month or is it, maybe you should ask Paul Kelly about the Merri Soul Sessions. But good music doesn’t play by artificial boundaries.
The band's latest single 'Gimme Gimme' was released as a single this week. A full-length album can’t be far away.
At full strength, this band is hot! - The Newcastle Herald (The Weekender Magazine)
Highly evolved yet undeniably classic, these guys transcend genre titles and simply exist as a force one needs to see!
Upon first selling the band to me as 'Soul Pop', I said they'd never get a gig at Frankie's. Unsatisfied, the girls pressed and pressed until I finally relented and found them a humble first support slot. Literally thirty seconds in and I was filled with both embarrassment for being so dismissive and excitement for having found such a fucking electrifying act. You don't often find an act so thoughtful, passionate and soulshaking as Holly Who! - Jordan McDonald - Frankie's Pizza Sydney
Judging by their smoking eponymous EP, it won’t be a case of Holly Who (Independent) for long. The Newcastle five-piece fronted
by siblings Holly and Jessica Clayton combine powerhouse vocals with dazzling instrumental backing in a sassy blend of retro and
modern soul. Elements of Adele, 60's girl group harmonies and even a dash of Prince all infectiously bubble under the surface.
Holly Clayton could just be the finest soul singer in the country (Australia) right now and, if the EP is anything to judge by, the impending debut long player (they’re currently in the studio recording) will be something for soul buffs to savour! - Rhythms Magazine - Australia
Holly Who were definitely one of the stand out acts of Wollombi Music Festival. Soaring vocals and harmonies and super sweet sounds. A revelation! - Wollombi Music Festival (Adrian Buckley - Director)
You will have a good time with this music. You'll want to dance, sing along and have FUN. And really, if anything seems to have been misplaced in music in 2014, it's fun. Holly Who and their revival sounds are bringing it back and we are all for that. You should be too. - It's My Kind Of Scene - Matthew Bond
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
'Best Emerging Band 2014' - Spreading The Seed, Australia (www.spreadingtheseed.com)
Now, "It won't be a case of Holly Who for long" stated Rhythms Magazine (July 2014 Issue) boldly suggesting, "Holly Clayton could just be the finest soul singer in the country right now". No stranger to the world stage, Holly was a hand picked Montreux International Jazz Festival artist. Holly Who also includes Australian guitar virtuoso, Adam Miller recently named in Australian Guitar Magazine's 'Top 25 International Future Guitar Legends', he also completed seven international tours in 2013 and currently has four under his belt for 2014. Holly Who has everything it takes to be one of Australia's top 'Adult Contemporary' acts.
"I think I just found my favourite new Aussie band." - James Reyne (Australian music icon)
"Highly evolved yet undeniably classic, Holly Who transcend genre titles and simply exist as a force one needs to see." - Jordan McDonald (Music Director Frankie's Pizza, SYDNEY)
"I'm telling you, get your photo with these girls now, it won't be long and you won't get near them. They've got it all. I can't wait to see what they do!" - Grace Knight (Australian music icon)
"Holly Who were definitely one of the stand out acts of Wollombi Music Festival. Soaring vocals and harmonies and super sweet sounds. A revelation!" - Adrian Buckley (Festival Director Wollombi Music Festival)
"You will have a good time with this music. You'll want to dance, sing along and have FUN. And really, if anything seems to have been misplaced in music in 2014, it's fun. Holly Who and their revival sounds are bringing it back and we are all for that. You should be too." - Matthew Bond (It's My Kind of Scene)
Holly Who is an infectious barrage of music joy and should be consumed, live!
Their sound is a warm blend of distortion and floats through bluesy soul, rock and roll and 70's pop. A structure is never sacred, they're for mind boggling improvisation and soloing. From the seaside town of Newcastle, Australia this cluster of eclectics are passionately engaging performers, high energy, genuinely brilliant musicians and seriously, fun!
Holly Who represents everything good about music, especially live music. Their shows are surging with young and old alike, bypassing genres and target audiences simply by playing music that hits the soul. Their debut EP (April 2014) hit #17 on the i-Tunes chart, made the 'Top 10 Most Ordered Tracks' chart for Australian radio and is receiving overwhelming support from Australian community radio, along with international airplay and interview/blog coverage. The word is out on their live show as festival programmers catch on to the standout reviews and lock in Holly Who.
Powerhouse vocalists, sisters Holly & Jessica Clayton front this awesome wall of sound that oozes raw soul. With a smoking rhythm section (Dom Borzestowski & Luke O'Dea), an incredible pair of creative guitarists (Adam Miller & Drew Daniels) and a set of fine hands on the organ/keys (Cam Daniels) this is the make up of one dazzling band that won't be unknown for long.
One minute you're deep in a southern blues, then you're whipped to Spanish Harlem, maracas in toe. Then it's back to the mid 60's with a driving snare and hand clap combo, straight into a 70's Rolling Stones feel, back to Southern California for CSN'esque harmonies and home again for a soulful Motown sing-a-long. Most bands couldn't pull it off, but these guys are the real deal, true musicians and artists. It's more than believable, you literally can feel how much they love what they do.
"Music is the truest international language. No matter who you are, what you believe etc, once that beat starts you've got an invitation to let it all go and connect to what makes us all humanly 99.9% the same. If people leave a gig with a bounce in their step, a little lighter and with that tingling music buzz, we've done our job. But in all honesty, we'll play our hearts out with or without an audience, we need that buzz too. You should see rehearsals..."
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