Hollywood Gossip

"Following up their full-of-promise inaugural EP from last year, Hollywood Gossip’s debut full-length finds the band exactly where you would hope to find them. Dear as Diamonds displays an impressive leap in sonic maturity. Whereas You’re So Quiet was a pop purist’s delight, propelled by tunes like 'Bicycle' and 'Something’s Happening,' Dear as Diamond manages to rock a little more and strike a more reflective tone, but without losing that pop sheen...

"The swooning vocal dives, the jangled guitars, and kick-stepped pep of percussion all feel wonderfully familiar and comfortable, yet surprising moments continually drive the quartet into some impressive new territories." - Austin Sound

"Hollywood Gossip really hit the high-water mark with Dear as Diamonds. In drawing from their pasts whilst pushing forward, they wrote a collection of songs so enjoyable that not a one of them should be skipped over.

"It looks like Austinites can now rejoice, as we finally have a quality band to fill the void left by the recent break-up of Voxtrot." - Austin Town Hall

"Dear as Diamonds works as a summer album, one you can drink in and sweat out. Its tones are bright and soft on 'Turn It Up' and 'Summer Haze,' while Womack's restless lyrics never feel too poor-me; there's a unique introspection and Austin-centricity to the songs… It's a promising debut for any season, really." - Austin Chronicle

"Dear as Diamonds … has an undeniable cinematic quality. It’s sleek, chic, flashy and jaunty — the perfect soundtrack to a montage of scenes from a pool party on a downtown rooftop at midnight.

"Although this might seem like something you’ve heard before, you probably won’t be able to recall what that something is. With each song, the band blends and pays tribute to its influences without explicitly betraying them. The verses of 'Narcissus in a Window' bounce through rhythms that would fit a single off the first Strokes album before diving into a driving pop-punk chorus. Elsewhere, 'Simon Says' bubbles with quirky, new-wave synth lines and male/female vocal interplay in the vein of the Rentals."
- Austin American Statesman

We loved Hollywood Gossip’s recently released debut album, You’re So Quiet, the kind of pure shot of pop perfection that grabs you and doesn’t let go. The local quartet is exuberant and draws justified comparisons to any number of top poppers, but the group also has a distinctly Austin flavor to their songs, reveling in a willfully youthful and resistant celebration of refusing to let maturity take hold without a fight, even as it inevitably impedes with reality. As Jonathan Richman once implored, “Don’t let our youth go waste,” so we recommend you catch Hollywood Gossip this Saturday, January 24 at Club DeVille as they help Built By Snow release their new album. Also on the bill are the Bubbles and The McKenzies. - Austin Sound

Leading up to the main act are three of Austin's most intriguing bands. Notable is Yellow Fever, who, dare I say, have a little bit of the Cranberries in them, what with their nuanced vocals and a willingness to engage in wordplay. Songs such as "Hellfire" and "Cats and Rats" are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Another majorly up-and-coming Austin band, Ringo Deathstarr, aren't afraid of the '80s influence, and they run with it--quickly, moodily, and with no shortage of passion. Opening for the openers is the least established of the Austin bands making this Friday night one to put on the calendar, but what Hollywood Gossip lacks in fame they make up for in margarita-driven sunshine playfulness. - Austinist

101X Homegrown Live presents Built By Snow, Harlem and Hollywood Gossip, tonight at Creekside Lounge.
These three bands are some of the hottest indie acts in town right now and rightfully so. Built By Snow and Hollywood Gossip are both riding high after recent album releases and Harlem’s “mutant garage rock” has the hype machine in overdrive. Word of mouth is that Harlem has some tasty early Nirvana influences. - Austin Sound Check

“Hollywood Gossip … is infectious, clever, and with more than a bit of jaded cynicism, the kind of twee with a twist that you expect from Belle and Sebastian. Add to that the irreverent reveling in a city of slackerdom on par with Peel, and Hollywood Gossip has a helluva debut.”
— Austin Sound

“They do the indie-pop thing quite well with upbeat guitar jangles, a skipping beat, gleaming vocals and even a few horn blasts, all while staying on this side of a pop overdose. Certain songs, like ‘Bicycle’, even sound a little like the Smoking Popes (could be the vocals).”
— The Austinist

“Think Beulah with an upbeat rock edge. Also delicious.”
— Covert Curiosity

“Wet-behind-the-ears twee-poppers Hollywood Gossip add the sprinkles to this sugar cookie of a show with its jangly, swingy tunes inspired by the optimism of youth (and The Lucksmiths)…”
— The Onion: Decider Austin

“Catchy, up-beat pop songs with infectious melodies and impressive harmonies.”
— Austin Sound Check
- various