The Hollows
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The Hollows

New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF

New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2009
Band Americana Rock

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""These roots rockers certainly know how to make a joyous noise""

Yes, you see a bunch of bearded, wild-haired hipster musicians, and it’s not too far-fetched to think they might possibly be from Brooklyn. In the case of The Hollows, it’s true.

With a sparkling CD, Belong To The Land, recorded at the Clubhouse in nearby Rhinebeck, the large, acoustic-orientated band takes many cues (including fashion) from The Band: There is not really a frontman, it’s more of an ensemble. Members are Justin Aaronson, Jeffrey Kurtze, Daniel Kwiatkowski, Rob Morrison, David Paarlberg and Erik Saxvik and banjos, mandolins, accordions, harmonicas and even guitars and other found objects are their weapons of choice, as these roots rockers certainly know how to make a joyous noise.

Expect a high-energy, foot-stompin’, dancin’ time from these barn-burners, but the big question remains when are they going to play The Hollow in Albany?

Albany band Bear Grass starts out the night with roots music songs that revolve around the captivating singer Katie Hammon.

— David Malachowski

9:30 p.m. Thursday. FREE; $5 under 21. Putnam Den, 63 Putnam St, Saratoga Springs. 518-584-8066. www.putnamden.com. - Albany Times Union


""Five Firsts" with David Paarlberg and Rob Morrison"

NAME: David Paarlberg & Rob Morrison

BAND AFFILIATION (IF APPLICABLE): The Hollows

INSTRUMENT: Dave - keyboards (plus a little harmonica, trumpet, guitar) / Rob – mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, slide guitar

1. THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER BOUGHT WAS:

Dave: With my own money? Probably that Beastie Boys instrumental compilation The In Sound from Way Out. I had a couple Beatles and Grateful Dead records before that, but they were all birthday/Christmas presents from my mother.

Rob: I don’t have any recollection of what the very first album I ever bought was, but I do remember that the very first CDs I ever owned (though I didn’t buy them myself) were a James Taylor live album, and R.E.M.’s Monster. I got really embarrassed when I saw the phrase “secret to f*cking” in the liner notes of Monster, and consequently felt too self-conscious to play the album at home where my parents might decide to look at the jewel cases. But I absolutely dug the dirty, churning guitars of that album. I had no idea that it was an atypical sound for R.E.M. — I only bought the album because my initials are R.E.M. and kids were always pointing out this mystical connection.

2. THE FIRST CONCERT THAT I EVER SAW WAS:

Dave: Either Ben Folds Five or The Who. The Who, I think– it was a couple years before Entwistle died.

Rob: Billy Joel! If I remember correctly, he went up on the lyrics of “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant” despite having a TV monitor of lyrics in front of him ON the piano. (“Bottle of white/bottle of…..white”)

3. THE FIRST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT I EVER OWNED OR PLAYED WAS:

Dave: Piano; my family had this old upright in the living room. I took lessons for a year or so when I was six or seven, but my teacher told my folks it wasn’t worth it because I never practiced (which was true). I didn’t pick it up again until I was about seventeen. In that ten-year interim I learned trumpet for the school band.

Rob: Other than toys, the first real instrument I played was alto saxophone. I picked it up in elementary school and played through high school. I’ve played sax a few times since with The Hollows, but it’s been phased out. Originally, I was wooed to the instrument by a particularly cool California Raisin character. I’m really susceptible to claymation.

4. THE FIRST SONG THAT I EVER PERFORMED IN PUBLIC WAS:

Rob: The first song I ever performed in public was entitled “Goo Goo Gah Gah (Suite in E Minor)”. Which is a sarcastic way of saying I don’t remember. I do remember having a musical number as one of the turkeys in my kindergarten’s Thanksgiving pageant…

Dave: In the fifth grade I played “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from The Lion King on trumpet with my teacher accompanying on piano. A year or two later, at a church talent show I played The Beatles’ “Got to Get You into My Life” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” with some friends from the congregation (including Brenda Sauter from The Feelies and her husband Rich Barnes).

5. THE FIRST BAND I WAS EVER IN WAS:

Rob: The Communist All-Stars! Our “album” (the one that existed in my mind) was entitled Hiroshima Twinkie.

Dave: The Hollows! I waited for a good one.

Join the Hollows in concert at Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs on Thursday (February 13). Local 518 faves Bear Grass open the show at 9pm. Admission is FREE. - Nippertown


"The Hollows will perform in Waterville on Valentine's Day"

As I often say, there’s nothing finer than discovering new groups and that’s definitely the case with the six lads– Justin Aaronson (drums, percussion, vocals), Jeffrey Kurtze (bass), Daniel Kwiatkowski (vocals, banjo, electric guitar), Rob Morrison (vocals, mandolin, slide, electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica), David Paarlberg (vocals, keys, harmonica, trumpet, acoustic guitar), and Erik Saxvik (vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, keys) — who make up The Hollows. The group will perform at 8PM Friday, February 14th at the Waterville Opera House. To learn more about the band, I called Daniel Kwiatkowski recently and asked the usual opening question:

Q: Have you guys ever performed up in Maine before?

Kwiatkowski: We haven’t, no… the most north we’ve played actually is up in Boston. We’ve done a couple shows up there.

Q: Now, where is area code 718?

Kwiatkowski: That’s a Brooklyn number; we rehearse in Brooklyn– I actually live in Queens– two guys live in Manhattan, two guys live in Brooklyn, and two guys live in Queens, but we call ourselves a Brooklyn-based band.

Q: What I enjoyed the most about your first album — the 2011 release Belong to the Land — was the fact no two songs sounded alike.

Kwiatkowski: Yeah– well, we’re going into the studio again this spring/summer and we’re sort of hoping for a more cohesive experience for the listener. With our first album — because there’s no front man and there’s four different songwriters — there were 14 songs but we had to tear it down from 22 songs, a task that maybe was insurmountable. But it is also sort of indicative of our live show: you never know what you’re going to get from show to show. With four songwriters everyone’s influence fluctuate pretty greatly. Whether it’s bluegrass or country or southern rock or even tinges of psychedelia… we’ve been together for five years now and we’re still sort of figuring out how to make a more cohesive thing. It’s always a challenge, but it’s obviously a great problem to have: to have that many influences.

Q: Seeing you’ve never been to Maine before, how would you describe what The Hollows are like musically?

Kwiatkowski: We sort of jokingly talk about that all the time, but I guess when people ask us that question, I always say that we’re a roots-rock group at the heart of it… our base is Americana, perhaps, but we like to branch off into bluegrass, rock, country… you know? So it’s always like a conglomeration. Sometimes we describe ourselves as “junkyard rock” because our live shows tend to be a little more raucous depending on where we’re playing. And that’s what is sort of tricky for us — if we’re playing a venue where there’s three or four hundred people and they have a really big sound system, then we’ll bring a lot more of the heavy-hitting songs — lean more toward the rock side of the show with electric guitars. And then there are shows where there are no electric guitars at all, just acoustic instruments — then it’s more folk and more Americana. But I would say roots music infused with rock and bluegrass is probably as good a label as anything.

Q: And the bottom line?

Kwiatkowski: At the end of the day, what we’re going for is to make music that makes people feel good and also makes people listen… collaboration between the band and the audience.

Q: Is there anything we haven’t talked about that you think we should before we close this interview out?

Kwiatkowski: The only thing I’d think to say is that we have a couple of music videos that we’re really, really proud of… they are both concepts that we came up with, and we collected the talent, we built the sets and we designed the lighting. Myself and the bassist are professional carpenters, our acoustic guitarist designed the lights, so we’re a pretty self-sufficient band in the sense that we can pretty much do whatever we want because we believe in each other, and also we have an incredible support system here in New York. The last thing I would say, again, is that we’re headed to the studio soon and we are so, so excited about the material that we’ve been working on. I think it’s really going to turn some heads.

Q: Will the folks in Waterville get the chance to hear some of the new material?

Kwiatkowski: Absolutely! We’ve been workshopping something like 18 new songs for about the last six or seven months… so I would say for the show in Waterville there’ll definitely be a really nice blend of old and new material, so we’re really excited about that show.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to pass on to the readers of this article?

Kwiatkowski: All I could probably say is they can check out our music and all that stuff on our website: www.thehollowsonline.com, and when we’re in the area, come out and see the show. As we always like to say, “together together.” Everyone’s welcome to have a good time with us.

Lucky Clark has spent four-and-a-half decades writing about good music and the people who make it. He can be reached at luckyc@myfairpoint.net if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. - The Kennebec Journal


"Stepping into the Spotlight with The Holllows"

Every week we like to spotlight rising bands from outside of New England. Today, we get to know New York City’s The Hollows. You can catch the band in Boston when they perform at TT the Bear’s Place on Saturday, February 15. Learn more about the band, below.

Band Name: The Hollows

Band Members:

Justin Aaronson: Drums, Vocals (New York, NY)
Jeffrey Kurtze: Bass (Elkhart, IN)
Rob Morrison: Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals (Hendersonville, NC)
Daniel Kwiatkowski: Banjo, Guitar, Vocals (Cheboygan, MI)
David Paarlberg: Keys, Trumpet, Harmonica, Guitar, Vocals (Glen Rock, NJ)
Erik Saxvik: Guitar, Keys, Vocals (Libertyville, IL)

Albums:

Neverending Show (2013)
The Hollows (2012)
Belong to the Land (2011)

Website:

www.thehollowsonline.com
www.facebook.com/thehollows

How did you form/start?

Four of us studied acting in college, so we met there. DK met Rob doing a theatre production in Connecticut. He shared a lot of our influences so we all started jamming and it just grew naturally from there. Once it was clear we needed a full-time drummer, we auditioned Justin via a Craigslist ad.

Finish the sentence, someone would like your band if they like…

… whiskey. Dancing. Crying out on mountaintops. Crying in general. More stringed instruments than you can shake a stick at. Morse code. Life. Death. Burlap. God. No God.

What song of yours should people listen to first and why?

We’re an ensemble, so everyone’s got songs. “Sticks and Stones” off our 2011 debut will give you a pretty good idea of what we’re about. “August” is a spooky little single we released a music video for for in 2012 that we’re quite fond of, and the live version of “Whiskey and Wine” on last April’s live compilation paints a picture of what kind of party we throw in concert. Our sound is always evolving, so “Canyon Rose” and “Dead Rabbits” off that same live album might indicate where the next batch of songs is headed.

Walk us through your songwriting process.

The ensemble thing again: we all write, we all arrange. Usually one person comes in with a sketch or a loose structure or an unfinished song, and where it goes from there is anyone’s guess. We all share our ideas and say yes to everything at first, trying it all at least once, usually multiple times, before voting on what works and what doesn’t. Instruments are swapped in and out, harmonies are experimented with, bridges and choruses come and go. It’s a process, and it would definitely take less time if there was one “front man,” but that blended sound is who we are, and we’d like to think we reap the benefits of that democracy.

Tell us a little bit about your latest album.

It’s called Neverending Show and it’s a monster. Sixteen live tracks compiled from over a year of performances (2011-2012). We’re proud of our studio stuff, but playing live is such a different beast, and a huge part of who we are as a band. So we wanted to share that, especially with people who maybe haven’t been able to see us live because we haven’t been through their city yet.

What has your most memorable moment as a band been?

This one time, four of us were sitting on a bench in the cargo hold of a truck, in the middle of the biggest snowstorm of the season, headed up to play an opera house in Maine, and answering interview questions from Boston Music Spotlight on our piano player’s iPhone. Manifest Destiny waits for no one!

What has been the hardest part of building your name onto the national level?

We’re living in an age where it’s a lot easier to record an album on your own and get your stuff out there, which is great. But it can also mean that the market gets oversaturated and it can be hard to differentiate yourself and get noticed among so many other acts. Take the folk-rock scene, for example: 9 times out of 10, if someone hasn’t heard our stuff but knows we’re a roots-influenced band with a banjo player, it’s, “Oh, you guys are like Mumford & Sons.” Because they’re huge, and therefore the first accessible comparison that comes to mind, which is not their “fault” and nothing against Mumford & Sons, but we really don’t sound much like them at all. It’s a vastly diverse genre of music, but in order to stand out from the crowd, not only is it about working hard to be a great band, but often it’s about getting seen by the right people with the right audience and the right connections. Which usually means a combination of luck, talent, and how much money you can afford to spend on PR.

Who are the best bands from your hometown that we might not know about?

Phil Pickens, Alfonso Velez, Lily & The Parlour Tricks, The Bottom Dollars, Andrew Cedermark, Isaac Gillespie, Lily Maase, Nikhil P. Yerawadekar & Low Mentality, M Shanghai, Slavic Soul Party, Dirty Mac & The Bumper Crop Boys, Rocket & The Ghost.

What band would you most like to open for?

Dan Reeder.

Who is your all-time favorite Boston band?

The Pixies, Mark Mulcahy, Galaxie 500, Morphine, The Modern Lovers… New Kids on the Block? And Man Alive! and Mount Peru, of course.

What are your thoughts on playing Boston?

We’re stoked to play a hotspot with such rich musical history. It’s a big college town with lots of young people, so that’s nice too (Rob, our mandolin player, actually went to Emerson). We played Johnny D’s in Somerville last year and had a ball.

What can people expect from your live show and why should our readers catch your next stop in Boston?

Joy! Boogeying! Rock off its hinges! Our live show is a celebration, pure and raw. Given the reputation Bostonians have for loving to party, we’re looking forward to feeding off that energy and becoming best friends with everyone in the room.

The Hollows will perform at TT the Bear’s Place on Saturday, February 15. Tickets for the show, which starts at 6 p.m., are available at the door for $8. - Boston Music Spotlight


"The Next Big Thing"

[AUDIO] - WFMX 107.9 FM


""The new material... really showed the step up the band has taken in their songwriting ability""

I ventured over to the Bowery on Friday night to check out The Hollows, a roots rock band with southern heart and New York City charisma. I’d seen them over in Brooklyn a few times, but the more intimate Bowery Electric was the venue this time, and although it was an earlier set on a misty, chilly night, these guys were still able to pump out some tunes and bring some true southern comfort to those who made it out.

Tight knit harmonies and perfectly blended instrumentation make up this six-piece band, which usually consists of mandolin, banjo, and acoustic/electric guitars in any given song. This show was more toned down compared to the times I’ve seen them in the past. Most of the songs in their set were more ballad-like and didn’t reach the up-tempo feel I usually get at a Hollows show, but these guys have the foundation of great on-stage chemistry to pump out energy though any kind of song. The band ripped through a one-hour set with a mix of past originals like the bluegrass-style driven ‘Josephine’, and ‘ harmonious ‘Pioneers’. They also performed a handful of new material in ‘I Am Not Made For This World’, ‘Sister Peterbilt’, and ‘Cross Country Call’. Most of the new material seemed to really focus of the story within the lyrics, which can be tough to do with so much instrumentation going on at once. It really showed the step up the band had taken in their songwriting ability, which has always been very good.

These freewheeling minstrels, who are constantly rotating instrumental duties throughout their shows, made sure that this would be one that would leave audiences wondering what other new songs would be making their debuts in the near future. Pianist/vocalist Dave Paarlberg made it clear the band would be in the studio come spring or early summer to put some of these new songs to tape. They’re playing a few more shows in the city before the summer concert season kicks into full swing, one can only imagine what kind of city slicker-style shenanigans The Hollows will bring us by then! - Pancakes and Whiskey


"'Belong to The Land' finds The Hollows in full voice"

SOUND ADVICE: 'Belong to The Land' finds The Hollows in full voice

By DAVID MALACHOWSKI

With their beards and hair, it’s not surprising to learn The Hollows are a roots rock band based in Brooklyn. That said, they still have ties to this area, as their freewheeling CD was recorded at The Clubhouse in Rhinebeck.

Like The Band, there’s no designated front man. In ways, it’s like six front men: Justin Aaronson, Jeffery Kurtze, Daniel Kwiatkowski, Rob Morrison, David Paarlberg and Erik Saxvik. who have their way with mandolins, banjos, accordions, harmonicas and found objects. Powered by a bubbly banjo and earnest vocals, this collection of tunes kicks off with the majestic “Basilica,” as they sing of meeting Saint Peter and “about the days, that made you old.”

Everybody joins in on gang vocals. The acoustic-based instrumentation songs are more organic than most, even when electric guitars pepper the mix, like in the rollicking “Youngblood,” in which they sing, “You can’t start a fire with wet wood.”

The banjo-driven “Josephine” is a chorus of unison voices and a real toe-tapper. The forceful “Three Months/Three Years” is pushed by a deep-throated vocal delivery, while the deeper “Poor Eyes” (for which there is a clever YouTube video) floats hauntingly. “Mad As Dogs” is near-perfection, as layers of wooden instruments provided the bed for a floating falsetto lead vocal and works it’s way up to a catchy chorus that’s radio-ready. The front porch pickin’ “Old Brown Dog” is a highlight, as is “There’s fire down below, and the devil he don’t like rain.” The majestic “Sycamore” closes the journey in dreamy style.

The young band owes much to the old ones, yet this outstanding offering shows good pure music still grows when properly sowed. - The Daily Freeman


""Lively? Check. Talented? Check. Soulful? Check. Worth spending your money? Check.""

Along the lines of Woody Guthrie’s this Land Is Your Land, The Hollows came together from a few regions of the United States. Coming together at Hope College in Michigan, the band’s members have roots from the states of Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. With the mix of folks from the North, South and Midwest; along with multiple instruments popular within the bluegrass and folk genre and instruments beyond, The Hollows do Woody Guthrie proud.

The Hollows are:

Jeffrey Kurtze-bass, vocals

Daniel Kwiatkowski-banjo, guitars, vocals, harmonica

Rob Morrison-mandolins, guitars, harmonica, vocals

David Paarlberg-piano/keyboards, harmonica, vocals, guitar, dulcimer, accordion, trumpet

Erik Saxvik-guitars, piano, vocals, harmonica, accordion

Justin Aaronson - drums, percussion, vocals

With influences from The Band, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Creedance Clearwater Revival and members of the band being accomplished on multiple instruments, the listener is treated to a sound that is familiar, energetic and fresh. Mandolins, banjos, accordions, horns, keyboards and guitars all mix together to create a New Grass, Bluegrass, coffee shop, square dance feel that is sure to appeal to hillbilly hipster in all of us. “It(band members playing multiple instruments) keeps the audience on their toes. Our show never feels stagnant and we’re a very lively bunch on stage anyway.” says Rob.

There are some similarities to Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers, however having a few more members playing a few more instruments, The Hollows have more to offer.

With the release of the live LP Neverending Show , The Hollows stretch their musical talents out to share the feel of their lively stage presence. The songs Youngblood, Old Brown Dog and Josephine most definitely fit the description of lively. Talking about lively? Old Brown Dog is a good starting point for you to immediately catch the vibe The Hollows are about. Whiskey and Wine and Jepson Creek, being a bit more melodic and soulful, offer a powerful and thick sound.

Lively? Check. Talented? Check. Soulful? Check. Worth spending your money? Check. - Grateful Web


""A roots-rock band that is capable of melting my face off""

Tuesday night happened to be my first show ever at my newest favorite venue in Williamsburg- Brooklyn Bowl. Not only did I discover the live sound is absolutely insane at this bowling alley/concert venue, but I discovered a roots-rock band that is capable of melting my face off with great music and out of this world personalities as well. I can honestly say that I had more fun watching this band play live than any other band I have yet to see play here in New York. I should've known after my first few Brooklyn Lagers that it was going to be a fun night.

Including a banjo player that looks like Myles Kennedy, and strikes similar excellent rock guitar poses as well, these guys bring a fun packed show from beginning to end. With a set filled with crisp mandolin and banjo, smooth bass lines, and a perfect mixture of freewheeling vocals, these guys have their niche-style music carved out perfectly in the Brooklyn music scene.

Kicking off the first of their two sets of the night with a fun and catchy single 'Sticks & Stones' off their 2011 LP, Belong to the Land, The Hollows powered though material that would make any southern hillbilly put down their moonshine and strut their stuff in a merry jubilee with songs like 'Old Brown Dog', 'Canyon Rose', and 'Youngblood'. There isn't really a frontman in this band, rather more of an array of different style vocalists who each bring their own fuel to add to the fire. They also exchange instrumentation almost as frequently as they take turns singing in the mic, giving each song a new personality in a mix and match style musical experience.

These guys have been stretching their legs outside NYC as of lately as well. This was their last hometown show for a few months as they've been rigorously playing shows a handful of shows in Austin during SXSW, Fort Worth, Nashville, and Louisville. Check out the band's official website & facebook page for news and updates on when they'll be back on the road again! - Hellcat Music


"BRIGHTEST YOUNG THINGS interview 4/23/13"

We were recently able to catch up with Dan Kwiatkowski of The Hollows, a six-piece NYC-based band that’s got a really catchy indie-folk vibe. (The guys’ influences are super varied, though, so it’s difficult to pin them down in any one genre / sub-genre scenario.) Dan and I talked about their SXSW experience, the band’s live album (which drops TODAY!), and about their goals for 2013. Read up on all that here, and be sure to head over to Brooklyn Bowl tonight for the album release show! Here we go:

So you were just at SXSW, right?

Yeah, we were just down there a couple of weeks ago and played four or five shows. It couldn’t have been better! The weather was perfect, the vibe was awesome…it was really excellent.

Was that your first time down there to perform?

It was. Actually, it was our first time down in the south. On the way there we played Louisville, Nashville, Fort Worth, and then spent four days in Austin.

That’s awesome! And so this was your first extended stint outside of New York performance-wise, right?

Yeah, we’ve done a couple of one-offs; we did one in Washington DC, we’ve been up to Boston, but for the most part we’ve been fairly landlocked in Brooklyn and in Manhattan.

Right. And was it hard to transport all the people and the stuff around? Or have you gotten the hang of it by now?

No, we’re actually really fortunate; we have a friend who has a Subaru Outback that we get to use for every gig, and we have a rehearsal studio in South Williamsburg, so our location is pretty decent. Playing places like the Knitting Factory, Brooklyn Bowl, Littlefield…we’re actually in a really great location. So yeah, at this point we’re pretty used to it.

Great. And so even without factoring all that equipment into the equation, there are six of you; does it ever feel like there’s too many cooks in the kitchen?

You know, it’s been an interesting journey; we just turned four years old, and we’ve only just in the last year and a half been playing with a drummer. But in terms of artistic differences, everyone’s pretty much a songwriter; there’s four predominant songwriters in the group, there’s no front-person, so if we do a ten song set, we’ll kind of divide up the responsibilities. Because of that, there’s a lot of common ground, but at the same time, Rob really likes grunge music, I’m really into Sufjan Stevens and I love Bjork, Jeff (our bass player) really loves hip hop, and as a result, it’s always really interesting being in a room and seeing where people are approaching things at any given moment. And because almost all of us have a background in theater, we’re sort of used to working in an ensemble environment, and it’s a lot of give and take. Feelings get hurt and things get pretty heated sometimes, but I think every time we rehearse (which is a couple of times a week) it’s also an experiment in patience and in listening. If you’re a good listener, you’ll get your chance to speak up, so we try to work by that motto.

That’s good! Now, tell me a little bit about the live album; how’d you guys choose which tracks to use? There’s what, sixteen on there? So you at least had a little flexibility in the selection process, I’d guess…

Yeah, sixteen tracks on the live album, and we’ve done a full-length and an EP (which we’re super proud of), but we’ve found that a lot of times your album sound doesn’t really capture what people are going to see live. So we decided it was really important that we release a live album so people get a sense of what they’re going to experience, and I think the live album does an incredible job of capturing our live performances, and just the way we interact with our crowd, which is really important to us. Picking the tracks was pretty easy; we had between twenty and thirty tracks from three different venues over the course of a year, and so we had a couple of really great intimate tracks from Rockwood Music Hall, a couple of tracks from Southpaw (which just closed, unfortunately), and the rest of the tracks are from Brooklyn Bowl, which is just an incredible place to play with incredible sound. So we’re really happy with all the tracks, and I think the mix will allow people to gravitate toward whatever they’re going to gravitate toward.

Awesome. And how did you come to start playing the banjo? Are you self-taught?

Yeah, all of us (except for our drummer) are pretty much self-taught. There’s a lot of instrument swapping, too; I think all of us approach music from the general sense of, you know, if you’re curious about it, then learn about it. If you fall on your face it’s not a big deal, because it’s just music, and you just get better and better.


Right. Now, you guys are working on another full-length, yeah?

Yeah, we are. I’d say probably within the next six months to a year we’ll have fifteen to twenty songs, and then we’ll probably have to cut that in half, and then we’re going to hit the studio. It’s all super exciting, and it’s happ - Brightest Young Things


"FEARLESS RADIO interview 4/18/13"

[AUDIO] - Fearless Radio


"FEARLESS RADIO interview 6/26/12"

The Hollows
Air date: June 26th, 2012

The Hollows called in to the studio on June 26, 2012 to talk about the recording of their new EP, upcoming shows, and more. - Fearless Radio


""A fresh breath of true musician spirit""

Hot off a highly successful tour snaking them from BK to SXSW and back, Brooklyn Bowl hosted the album release party of the talented band of Brooklyn boys The Hollows on Tuesday, April 23rd. This show proved to be a celebration of not just their new live LP, “The Neverending Show,” but also a very long prosperous career ahead of them. Much like other great folk rock and bluegrass appealing bands, like Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers.

The Hollows are also celebrating meeting their pledge goal of $10,000.00 so that they can deliver this high energy performance of a tour and get their music out as soon as possible.

At Brooklyn Bowl show, the band was rotating a total of six instruments from banjo, mandolin, and harmonicas. The band’s stage presence and performance was that of a full stage musical at times. The large mixed crowd of friends, family, devout fans and a star sighting of a much rocking George Wendt (aka Norm from Cheers) made you forget it was Williamsburg. Bluegrass meets urban vibes, cultivating a “Blues Swag Funk.” The funk was provided by their cover of Bone Thugs n’ Harmony’s “Tha Crossroads.”

The album “Neverending Show” was recorded live at various venues in Brooklyn, including Brooklyn Bowl which for this type of music is just what is needed to really capture the live the relationship between them as musicians and a tight knit group of Good Ol’ Boys.

In the spirit of borough DIY pride, all musicians provide a key element strength to keep them on track and in control of their music. Most studied theatre, acting, production; and are active in social media to stay close to their growing fan base.

In the city that is heavy electronica and Indie, The Hollows are a fresh breath of true musician spirit, and need to be on your list of bands to watch. - Bushwick Daily


"Truth About Music Live: The Hollows"

The Hollows Performing "Home" Live on the Streets of New York City!

[VIDEO] - The Truth About Music


"SXSW@lennonbus: The Hollows"

Live from Aussie's Vollybar & Grill on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus
The Hollows from New York
Perform live on the Lennon Bus
Recorded with Sony BRCH700s, Sony EX-1 & EX-3, switched with Newtek 855 and broadcast via Todocast.

[VIDEO] - The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus


"Mike on the Move: SXSW"

Mike is on the Move at Austin SXSW!

This time Mike is at Austin TX, on SXSW with some awesome bands from all over the world. [VIDEO]
- FOX 29 (San Antonio)


"Premiere: The Hollows "Dead Rabbits""

The Hollows will release Neverending Show on April 23. The multi-instrumentalists recorded this live album over two nights at Brooklyn Bowl. The sextet will celebrate the follow-up to their critically hailed debut Belong To The Land with a performance at the venue on April 23, which also marks the end of their PledgeMusic fundraising campaign. Here’s the debut stream of “Dead Rabbits” from the forthcoming record.

[AUDIO] - Relix Magazine


""The theatricality of the band and the warmth in their music really wraps you up""

It was fitting that the projection screens all around Brooklyn Bowl were showing the first season of Game of Thrones because, despite what the calendar says, it felt like Winter was Coming last night. But The Hollows made everyone forget about the weather for an hour during their record release show.

Joined by opening acts Balthrop, Alabama, Rocket & The Ghost and Alana Amram and the Rough Gems, The Hollows celebrated their new live album Neverending Show (which we reviewed yesterday). While this set wasn't as long as the one featured on the record (and was slowed by some early technical difficulties), things eventually heated up. The foot-stomping and impromptu square dancing and jumping came in full force from the crowd as they sang and danced to the hybrid folk music. The theatricality of the band and the warmth in their music really just wraps you up and adds so much more to the experience.

With any live show, there are sure to be surprises. The Hollows surprised us all with one of the covers they have been working on as part of their pledge campaign. For certain pledges, the band will play any song of his or her choosing. Guitarist Erik Saxvik shared that the song they were about to play was the suggestion of a close friend, and that song just happened to be “The Crossroads” by rap group Bone Thugs N Harmony.

Seriously.

Clear your preconception of whatever you think a folk band covering a rap group could possibly sound like, because this cover was pretty damn impressive. Saxvik and Daniel Kwiatkowski showed they have some serious flow, and seeing that along would have been enough to satisfy me.

The whole night felt like a celebration, and the warmth from all of the bands made it easy for everyone to forget about the cold waiting outside. - CHARGED.fm


"The In-Studio Series: The Hollows"

The Hollows, a six-piece band from New York City, came by the CHARGED.fm studios a couple weeks ago. We talked to them about their first experience at SXSW, some of the interesting things they saw on their mini-tour, and the decision to make their new album, Neverending Show, a live one.

[VIDEO] - CHARGED.fm


""Pushing the envelope on that familiar folk sound""

Our next stop on the PEV SXSW tour is with NYC’s The Hollows and a mantra we can really get behind. The 6-piece roots-rock band (Justin Aaronson, Jeffrey Kurtze, Daniel Kwiatkowski, Rob Morrison, David Paarlberg, Erik Saxvik) plays under the motto, “Together Together”, a phrase that they say means “If you come to one of our live shows, it’s completely inclusive and you’re a part of our family. Everyone at these shows are strangers and it’s encouraging to see everyone having a great time, and enjoying us and enjoying each other. And that’s what we want to promote with our music. It’s a great experience for everyone to share.” We couldn’t describe the purpose of music better ourselves, and this group of multi-instrumentalists (including players on mandolins, banjos, guitars, accordions, horns, harmonicas and more) is bringing great attention to a fantastic roots rock scene in New York City.

The Hollows have grown significantly in their four years together, pushing the envelope on that familiar folk sound, starting in 2011 with their debut LP,Belong to the Land. Today, the band is talking about their new live record, a collection titled Neverending Show. We asked the talented crew to tell us more – they said “Its 16 live tracks from over the course of the past year. A lot of rockin’ tunes… We have a lot of songs on the live album that we haven’t recorded in the studio yet, so that for me is exciting. Fans will be able to get a taste of something new, and in a live setting. I think our fans will really get into that.”

Click over to www.thehollowsonline.com/ for more on the band and their PledgeMusic.com effort to help spread their music. And get to a live show! The band supports any square dancing efforts you may bring to the table. There’s still much to read about, so get into the fourth installment of the PEV SXSW 2013 XXQs below.

XXQs: The Hollows

PEV: So great to meet you! Saw you guys play last night – it was so good. Thanks for hanging out with us. To get started – what was the first concert you ever attended?

The Hollows (TH): The first concert I ever saw was Billy Joel – I’m from North Carolina and I saw him in South Carolina – I think I drove two hours to see him. He had this teleprompter on his piano because he couldn’t remember any of the words to his songs. It was a little bit of a letdown. But, he sounded pretty good.

My first concert was U2 at Giants Stadium on the PopMart Tour.

I was must have been 14 or 15 – it was either Ben Folds Five or The Who – I can’t remember which one.

The first concert I remember attending was in my church basement. For whatever reason, it was Billy Ray Cyrus. He was in town and he did a show for the elementary school. I think I was 10? It was awesome.

I saw Janet Jackson on her Janet World Tour…it blew my mind. Really made me feel some feelings, if you know what I mean.

I think mine might have been Rusted Root at SummerFest in Milwaukee.

PEV: So you guys saw some really cool artists…any dream collaborations you all have right now? Who would you want to play with?

TH: I think we would all have an interest working with Tom Waits. That would be an incredible, whacky experience. Any of our influences would be amazing to work with, but additionally there are some great folk bands in New York City that I think are very inspiring.

PEV: How many years have you guys been together?

TH: We’ve been together for about four years.

PEV: How has your music developed over that time?

TH: The heart of it is pretty much the same. For a while, we didn’t have a drummer. Justin has been a member of the group for the last year and a half, and that’s really changed us to help us get bigger sonically. We’re still a folk band; we’re just a really loud folk band. We’re interested in finding sounds that amplify that folk feeling.

We were definitely a little more folky, a little more acoustic when we first started. But no one has yelled “Judas!” from the audience yet (laughing). So, so far, so good.

PEV: Your current home base is New York City – how has it been playing on that huge scene?

TH: It’s awesome. We’ve gone from shows where there have been 5 to 10 people to bigger shows where there are 400 people if we’re lucky. It’s weird, but we think of playing in New York as being in a small pond – it’s hard to get out, it’s hard to get out on the road. So we’re trying to cast out the net a little wider, inviting more people to join the party.

PEV: So what’s the latest release you guys are supporting?

TH: We have a live album out right now called Neverending Show – its 16 live tracks from over the course of the past year. A lot of rockin’ tunes.

PEV: Is there a favorite song off the record that you would want a new fan to check out?

TH: We have a lot of songs on the live album that we haven’t recorded in the studio yet, so that for me is exciting. Fans will be able to get a taste of something new, and in a live setting. I think our f - Pen's Eye View


"SXSW THURSDAY IN REVIEW [PHOTOS]"

Thursday, as you can guess, was jam-packed in the best way possible. We saw Foxygen, Poolside, and Caveman at Flamingo Cantina, Sir Sly at Hype Hotel, and Sky Ferreira at Red Eyed Fly. Then it was on to Dangerous Ponies at Club 1801, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound with Snowmine at Papi Tino’s, Tegan and Sara at Austin City Music Hall, The Hollows at Rusty’s, and The Lone Below at The Pandora Porch. [PHOTOS] - The Wild Honey Pie


""I haven't seen that much dancing in years... terrific... a rip-roaring good show""

Last Friday night at the Knitting Factory, I had the pleasure of taking in a triple bill that entertained from start. Beginning with Lily & the Parlour Tricks, continuing with Mercies, and finishing with The Hollows, all three groups entertained in a decidedly different way. But the common denominator for all three groups was how the crowd responded to each act.

I haven't seen that much dancing at a show in years. The Knitting Factory is a pretty decent-sized venue, but the frenzied atmosphere on the dance floor gave it the feel of an old, small gymnasium or church hall where a sock hop was taking place. The dancing wasn't just resigned to the fast-paced tunes: the slow jams had people swaying and yelling out the words right along with the groups, clamoring for more and more. Good music has that kind of power, and there was no shortage of it last Friday.

Brooklyn band The Hollows put on a rip-roaring good show. There's no clear comparison to make or genre to associate with these guys because they sound wholly unique. Their approach seems to change from song to song with everyone in the group getting a chance to shine. There's no lead vocalist, only the guy singing the current song (not to mention the tremendous harmonizing done behind whoever is taking the lead). Banjos an mandolins and keyboards populate the stage as the band fluctuates between Americana, folk, rock, bluegrass and classic southern rock sounds.

One minute they can sound like the Punch Brothers, the next minute they give off a strong Marshall Tucker Band vibe.

Throughout the set, the members moved around and switched instruments, had a few choreographed moves during some jam sessions, and really got the crowd into it, especially with their rousing finale “Whiskey and Wine,” which played great with the crowd. It's easy for music like this to sound kind of stale, or generic, but because they keep every song so fresh (and are having such a good time doing it), nothing falls flat. These guys are crowd pleasers, and their live shows are definitely must-sees. - CHARGED.fm


"SXSW 2013 FEATURE ARTIST: THE HOLLOWS"

Introduce yourselves – where are you from and who plays what?

Justin Aaronson – Drums, percussion vocals
Jeffrey Kurtze – Bass
Daniel Kwiatkowski – banjo, electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals
Rob Morrison – mandolin, slide guitar, electric guitar and acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals
David Paarlberg – keyboards, trumpet, accordion, harmonica, acoustic guitar, vocals
Erik Saxvik – acoustic guitar and electric guitar, keyboards, vocals

How would you describe your sound and style?

Our sound is constantly evolving; there’s a strong sense of play within genres. We have these traditional instruments, and often these simple songs, but then we turn them on their heads and say, “Yes, this is kind of bluegrass but it’s also part progressive rock,” or, “Yes, this is a country song, but it’s also gospel and rock n roll. This song is a driving song, but it’s also desert rock.” We love traditional American music forms, and our strength is pulling them apart and seeing what kind of hybrids we can come up with. We also try to put out a vibe of “let your worries slip away and let yourself go.” Our music makes us feel good and we want it to make you feel good. We just want everybody to have a great time.

You’ll be heading along to SXSW 2013 – what are you looking forward to most?

Getting lost. Living in NYC, it’s easy to get distracted by the hectic pace of life. Everyone has his day-job and everyone has a whole other huge pile of responsibilities in his life, and yet we somehow manage to maintain focus and continue on with making The Hollows a success. Getting all six of our schedules to line up can sometimes be the hardest part of this venture. What we’re most looking forward to is literally being locked in an RV with each other for 11 days and doing nothing but playing music… and not having to schedule when we’re going to see our best friends.

What are you hoping to take away from attending this year?

We’re excited to get a taste of what’s going on in the rest of the industry. We want to know what other bands are doing and what their plans are for the future. We’d really like to make a lot more contacts for future touring. The only way we’ve been able to make this trip possible is through the people and bands we’ve met paying throughout the city.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received [or given] to “take on” SXSW?

Multiple people have advised us to “be prepared to be totally unprepared.” We’re a pretty chill group of guys who have made any number of last-minute adjustments with so many gigs it’s hard to even count. That’s what live performance is all about; rolling with it and just making it work. So in a sense we’re trying to be as unprepared as we can be.

Are there any other bands you are looking forward to seeing?

We’ve got a whole bunch of other NYC acts down there that we’ve crossed paths with along the way. It’s going be great seeing so many familiar faces in a totally unfamiliar city.

Where can people catch your sets at SXSW?

We have a rooftop gig at Blind Pig Pub at 2:40pm on March 14th, and on March 15th we will be at Papi Tino’s at midnight. You can also probably find us busking on the street– stay tuned to our website (www.thehollowsonline.com) or our socials for info on any other gigs that may pop up.

Alternatively, for those not attending this year – where can our readers check out your music?

We’re on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube– the whole shebang. We’re also in the midst of an interactive fundraiser while we’re on tour, so there will be all sorts of direct-to-fan content there; even if you’re not attending SXSW, you can still join us for the ride. That’s all over at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/thehollows. If interested parties are near NYC, there’s a pretty good chance they can catch us anytime; we gig there regularly. All show listings (NYC and elsewhere) will be on our website– www.thehollowsonline.com - Push to Fire


"5 Must-See Artists During CMJ 2012"

The CMJ Music Marathon returns to occupy New York City for another week in October full of music and some insightful panels; there is literally something for everyone. But with hundreds of bands performing at dozens of venues all over NYC and Brooklyn, it is scientifically impossible to catch all of them. Chances are pretty slim that you will even be able to check out all of the artists you WANT to see as well.

We’ve decided to help. Here is short (VERY SHORT) list of bands you should see while CMJ is in town from October 16-20. It’s a nice mix of big names and local artists, something the music festival ties together very well each year...

For those of you into the folk sound of yesteryear, The Hollows shoot you forward into the present with one of the most lively and energetic shows from any artist in New York City. You’ll sing, dance and become best friends with everyone in the room (including the band). - WNOW 92.3 FM


""Critic's Pick""

TimeOut NY

Southpaw puts on a four-night hoedown for Americana, roots and bluegrass lovers. Notables include charismatic Cincinnati crooner Daniel Wayne on Thursday, talented local folk-pop songsmith Rebecca Pronsky on Friday and rustic, rock-spiced folk outfit the Hollows on Saturday. Award-winning blind bluegrass fiddle-player Michael Cleveland will be wrapping things up for the final shebang on Sunday. - TimeOut NY


""The Hollows cover The Band""

Relix Magazine
Picks and Pans: The Hollows cover The Band
May 31st, 2012

The Hollows will follow up last year's debut album, Belong to the Land, with a self-titled EP on June 26. The group has marked the occasion by performing this version of "The Weight" for Relix.com. - Relix Magazine


""New York City's The Hollows Honor Levon Helm""

WCBS FM
New York City's The Hollows Honor Levon Helm With "The Weight" Cover
May 31st, 2012

The impact of Levon Helm's musical influence traces back to his time with the Band and Bob Dylan, but continues to resonate with contemporary artists. New York City's up and coming roots-rock multi-instrumentalists The Hollows are the latest to pay tribute to the late drummer with the soulful country twang by covering "The Weight."

"The Weight" has become a standard for artists both past and present to cover, with notable names such as Joe Cocker, Aretha Franklin (with Duane Allman on guitar), and Weezer recording and performing their own versions.

The Hollows cite The Band as one of their strongest influences. Much like the Toronto born roots-rock pioneers, members of The Hollows (Erik Saxvik, David Paarlberg, Jeffrey Kurtze, Daniel Kwiatkowski, Rob Morrison and Justin Aaronson) are multi-instrumentalists who all contribute as songwriters.

To mark the release of their new self-titled EP, The Hollows will be performing at Brooklyn Bowl on June 26th.

- WCBS FM


""An upbeat, feel-good live show... positive energy... big, down-home summer party""

EastScene
Brooklyn Gets A Little Bit Country with The Hollows at Brooklyn Bowl
by Allison O'Rourke
July 5th, 2012

Opening a night of great live music featuring The Nuclears and The Bottom Dollars, The Hollows played Williamsburg's Brooklyn Bowl to a rowdy hipster crowd just waiting for a real hoedown. Not to disappoint, The Hollows delivered an upbeat feel good live show kicking it off with "Sticks and Stones" from 2011's Belong to the Land. The Brooklyn based band of multi instrumentalists were able to create a musical atmosphere that included everything but the kitchen sink.

Mandolins, banjos, guitars, accordions and a horn section provided rich bluegrass inspired root rock while playing tracks like "Youngblood" and "Jepson Creek." During one of their most popular songs, "Josephine," couples started dancing in front of the stage making the entire set feel like a big down home summer party. Even those who aren't fans of bluegrass or folk music can't help but get caught up in The Hollows' positive energy and live musical collaboration. It was great to see all band members contributing to vocals, each taking turns on lead.

The Hollows rounded out their set with an encore of "Whiskey and Wine," a bluesy celebration of imbibing and appropriately returned to the stage during The Bottom Dollars' set for a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Don't Do It." - EastScene


""A thunderous, operatic outpour... exhilarating""

Ink 19
The Hollows: Brooklyn Bowl, New York City - June 26, 2012
by May Terry
June 27th, 2012

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat! If the Hatfields and McCoys were going to have a truce celebration, The Hollows would be on the musical card. That's because the best word to describe a Hollows show is one that the band uses: hootenanny. And so it was at their EP release party that the Brooklyn-based roots rock sextet, joined by guest local musicians, played an upbeat set to locals, and a grand ol' time was had by all.

The Hollows were certainly attention grabbing from the get-go in the opening song, "Sticks and Stones." This catchy song was the best one to start off their set. A grandiose and thunderous, operatic outpour came from banjoist, Daniel Kwiatkowski (aka: "DK"), arms stretched-out like a side show barker or big-top ringmaster to draw the audience at the start the show. The song then broke into a shanty/pub chant type of a song infused with mariachi-influenced trumpet lines from the vocals/horn/keyboards player, Dave Paarlberg. It set the stage for the audience to loosen up and enjoy the show. I then knew that this wasn't going to be a lay-back-and-listen kind of band.

Don't expect waxed poetics from this band. There are plenty out there to fuel your melancholic and introspective inclinations. Instead, as the band advises in "Sticks and Stones": So don't let your thoughts go six feet deep/ It's a long way down and the road is steep/ Just remember you belong to the land.

It actually goes without saying that all of the band members are rather versatile with their musical chair of multi-instrumentalism. Three of the six shared harmonica duties, two swapped on keyboards, all members sang backup, and four of them shared lead vocals. I, for one, like the shared lead vocalist duties since it expands song variety while keeping a signature musical style to the group rather than to a specific performer.

While The Hollows are pegged as roots rock, which in its many sub-genres draws from folk, country, and rock, I would add that there is a strong tilt towards highly charged Appalachian bluegrass, as noted in their songs "Old Brown Dog," "August," (sung by Rob Morrison on mandolin), and "Josephine" (sung by Erik Saxvik on acoustic guitar). "Youngblood" is more country rock, but tonight's performance had a great, fuller sound thanks to the additional horns from guest musicians Chris Brouwer and Greg Sanderson from the Brooklyn funkadelic band, Turkuaz. A cover of the Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup" filled the stage with the guest horns plus vocals from another local performer, Brian Cherchiglia, from The Bottom Dollars.

After "Jepson Creek" (off the new EP) and a brief pause, The Hollows closed out the set with an encore of "Whiskey and Wine." And mirroring the opening song, the closer also finished with a bang; DK's roaring twang, an all-in singing of the chorus, and an upbeat gospel-music-type jam left the crowds on an exhilarating high note with dance and cheer.

I would definitely watch the Hollows again, and I'm certain they have a decent local fan base who would say the same. I'm just not sure why the Hollows generally remain landlocked in the Northeast when they need to take their musical moonshine further south, belong to a bigger land, stretch a little farther along I-95 just past the Mason Dixon line, play some country festivals along the way, and hit some college towns that dig a fun roots rock show. For the rest who would like to know more, check out their performances online and listen to their EP. While not as good as the real thing, at least you get a nice swig of hootenanny hooch for your listening pleasure.
- Ink 19


""A sweeping, anthemic track that shows The Hollows at their best""

MP3.com
FREE MP3 OF THE DAY: The Hollows, "Carried Away"
May 25th, 2012

Brooklyn folk rock revivalists The Hollows are a freewheeling collective of multi-instrumentalists. Their rootsy sound is a melange of mandolins, banjos, guitars, accordions, horns, harmonicas, and just about anything else the guys can get their hands on. "Carried Away" is a sweeping, anthemic track off of their upcoming EP that shows The Hollows at their best.



The Hollows operate with an egalitarian ethos-- there is no frontman amongst the group's six members. Each of them rotate on instruments, lead vocals, songwriting and arranging duties, which gives their songs a feel that is eclectic but consistent. It's clear that the members all have their own ideas, but also understand the group's common goal. - MP3.com


""Massive momentum""

Pure Volume
The Hollows Premiere New Song "Jepson Creek"
by Alyssa Coluccio
June 21st, 2012

New York folk-rockers The Hollows are fusing tried and true southern rock with themes of mortality in their new song, "Jepson Creek." With its strong piano parts, jangling acoustics, twangy banjo bits, and big band harmonies, it's one of those songs that uses its southern soul to create some massive momentum. That big sound wasn't accidental, though. As songwriter Erik Saxvik told us, "this song evolved entirely from the desire to set a big, bad, gritty blues-rock song on the band." It also bares the influence of the classics. "This song is 50% The Band and 50% Creedence Clearwater Revival to me. In fact, 'Up on Cripple Creek' may have been a direct influence on the lyrics," he continues. Levon Helms' verse inspired Erik to think more deeply into "the ways in which life and death are synergistic properties... one simply does not relevantly exist without the other." And there you have it-- a down-to-earth folk tune with an intricate meaning. Spin the song's exclusive premiere, and be ready for the band's forthcoming, self-titled EP to drop June 26. - Pure Volume


""A prize peach""

My Old Kentucky Blog
Premiere: The Hollows - "August"
June 19th, 2012

New York City's hootenanny heathens, The Hollows, are coming for your children. And probably your booze, as well. Piggybacking on the critical success of their debut LP, Belong To The Land, this ramshackle crew will be tiding fans over with a self-titled EP come June 26th.

If Belong To The Land offers any hints as to the contents or direction of The Hollows EP, one can expect many a dark country rides with more than just a pinch of macabre humor. Official release is only a week away, but MOKB is happier than a tick on a lazy dog to be premiering a prize peach from The Hollows: white-knuckle gullywasher "August." - My Old Kentucky Blog


""Contemporary Music's Roots Rock Solution""

WCBS FM
The Hollows: Contemporary Music's Roots Rock Solution
by E.J. Judge
June 28th, 2012

A common consensus amongst those who grew up listening to the likes of Bob Dylan, The Band and Neil Young is that today's music lacks the talent and soul those artists brought to folk and roots rock. A revival of sorts has begun, courtesy of artists like Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers.

The Hollows is New York City's contribution to the revival, joining several talented multi-instrumentalists who combine great songwriting with an energetic live show.

The band's beginnings can be traced to Hope College in Michigan, where Erik Saxvik (Illinois), Dave Paarlberg (New Jersey), Jeff Kurtze (Indiana) and Daniel "DK" Kwiatkowski (Michigan) were theater majors. They all took individual paths which led each of them to New York City, where after meeting up with Rob Morrison (North Carolina via Boston), they began working together, though, considering their scholastic pasts, not how one would imagine.

"Instead of forming a theater company, we started playing music together," says Erik.

The band would later find native New Yorker Justin Aaronson through an ad on Craigslist (a legitimate one!), and The Hollows would be complete.

Though the band draws influence from artists like Bob Dylan, The Band, Neil Young and Creedence Clearwater Revival, the decision to make folk/folk rock music wasn't calculated. It was just matter of moving in a direction that felt natural.

"When we started making music together, it just seemed natural to want to do something that we were all passionate about," says Rob.

"I think it also happened by virtue of the instrumentation," adds Dave, referring to the fact that many members of the band have the ability to play multiple instruments, like the mandolin and banjo. "I think that lends itself to more of a folk/folk rock element."

The Hollows incorporate that talent into their live show. Depending on the song, members will pick up different instruments or fill in for others.

"It keeps the audience on their toes," says Rob. "It [our show] never feels stagnant, and we're a very lively bunch on stage anyway."

That energy was on display when The Hollows performed at Brooklyn Bowl Tuesday night (June 26). The band drew a crowd unmatched by the bands that followed and inspired the entire audience to drop their inhibitions and dance along with them while they played.

Tuesday also marked the release of The Hollows' new self-titled EP, featuring their newest single "August." - WCBS FM


""A smorgasbord of musical talent""

The Huffington Post
A-Sides with Jon Chattman: "August" with The Hollows
by Jon Chattman
July 11th, 2012

Smorgasbord is a terribly undervalued word. It encompasses so much by saying so little. The word comes into play -- for me anyway -- when I think of indie roots rockers The Hollows. The band, who released a self-titled EP last week, features members who play a variety of instruments -- from banjo to horns -- that the best way to describe them may very well be a "smorgasbord" of musical talent. As their press release clearly states, each member of this "freewheeling hootenany of a band" contribute to the writing and arranging of the material, which serves up a fresh, rootsy, arguably offbeat sound.

The band, which prides itself in not having a "front man," consists of college buds Erik Saxvik, David Paarlberg, Jeffrey Kurtze and Daniel Kwiatkowski along with Rob Morrison and Justin Aaronson. The six buds, who formed in New York City a few years back, came to the Music Conservatory of Westchester late last month to perform "August" off their new EP and take part in a typical "A-Sides" lowkey, informal chat.

Watch. Listen. Love. - The Huffington Post


""Joyous... a zap of energy""

BaebleMusic
Music Video Premiere: The Hollows - "August"
July 18th, 2012

Ramshackle Appalachia meets the big bad city in the sound NYC outfit The Hollows churn out. It's freewheelin' fare, getting down to the most skeletal roots of folk music, while still maintaining joyous, sing-along worthy acoustic creations that are right in line with what similar artists like Trampled By Turtles and The Punch Brothers are spittin' out these days. On the heels of their debut LP, Belong To The Land, the band recently released a self-titled EP. "August", taken from that short collection, is a zap of energy, and brings with it a video that takes the band's skeletal sonic qualities to a literal, visual level. Here, in a video we're premiering, a band of boney brethren stalk the rather dapper looking band, and a confused bystander sucked into the whole situation like a bad dream. Have a look and be sure to pick up the band's new EP. - BaebleMusic


""Had people pounding the floor... they earned every foot-stomp""

Clippings from a Saturday Night: Hoots, Hollows, and How We Learned It's Okay to Cuss
by Stefanie Smith
February 23rd, 2012

We all know that when it comes to the world of roots and Americana music, it can be difficult for a band to differentiate itself from all the ones that have come before it. Not so for the two bands we at grass clippings had the opportunity to see this past Saturday...

...Then, a beer-riddled hop, skip and jump away was the third night of Southpaw's Americana Pie 2 festival. On stage was Brooklyn's own lively six-piece, The Hollows. If there's one thing the band and room weren't lacking in that night, it was energy. Playing a midnight set that had people pounding the floor, they earned every foot-stomp with their performance on stage. In addition to bidding the BK institution adieu, the band also premiered their music video for Poor Eyes. They've been kind enough to share it with y'all below. Take a look (but don't, if puppets make you nervous): - Grass Clippings Blog


""Engaging... brilliantly executed... evocative... a joy to listen to""

CD Reviews: The Hollows, Belong To The Land
by Hannah Liz
April 15th, 2012

After hearing The Hollows perform live at the Brooklyn Country Fair, it was a delight to take home their CD, Belong to the Land. They are an engaging band to see live, with great stage presence, and this album is a great summer weekend soundtrack.

The album's first track, "Basilica," has beautifully haunting string play between the guitars, banjo, and mandolins; it's brilliantly executed and feels reminiscent of the Garcia/Grisman recordings. It's a great hook to the album, and sets you up to want more.

"Josephine" is light-hearted and catchy, with sweet harmonies, while "Poor Eyes" is the perfect anthem for a reflective mood. The delivery is chillingly heartrending, with the vocals recounting how "[I] took the ghost train to the other side of town; think I need a pick me up, because I am falling down." "Sticks and Stones" is a rousing song, with lyrics featuring the phrase from which the CD takes its name. There is an outstanding moment in the song where the vocalists sing in a round with only light accompaniment-- "Sticks and stones, broken bones, an old tree groans and an old man moans... It's a long line to tow, but the moon and sun around the run, it's a smoking gun it's so much fun, it's a never ending show."

The lyrics overall are evocative, and were redolent of something familiar that I couldn't quite put my finger on. That, coupled with beautiful harmonies and amazing instrumentals, adds up to an album that is a joy to listen to. - Brooklyn Country


""If you don't want to move around... you might want to check yourself for a pulse""

The Hollows at Sullivan Hall: A LocalBozo.com Concert Review
by Jane Van Arsdale
April 27th, 2012

The West Village?s Sullivan Hall has long been a stomping ground for introducing relative unknowns and local indie bands to open-minded, youthful audiences. Wednesday night?s bill was no different, almost like a throwback to a musical revue- packed with a slew of acts one after the other for five plus hours, meshing a multitude of musical genres with a small, but raucous crowd reveling in dancing and boozing all at once. LocalBozo.com stopped into the venue just in time for a glimpse at the inspired folk-band, The Hollows- a six pieced outfit with so many different sounds emanating from their stage show, that they defy any musical label.

On this night, the band?s 45 minute set began with a vigorous bluegrass number- ?August?- and ended with an entire crowd, hand-clapping and foot-stomping to a familiar cover of The Band. What?s most interesting about watching The Hollows perform is their versatility. With no ?frontman? in the traditional sense, each of the four main instrumentalists all seem to share vocal duties, harmonizing as well as soloing. Moreover, the members seamlessly transition from keyboard to guitar, mandolin to banjo, and even from an accordion to a trumpet, while a harmonica is passed between them freely. No conceivable instrument onstage goes unused amongst the talented musicians.

At first glance, The Hollows seem an unlikely bunch; their look alone suggests more of a hipster jam band. Instead, their unlikely harmonizing lends itself to mesh an avant-garde style of indy rock, with a dash of blues and bluegrass sprinkled in for good measure. But somehow even while switching instruments amongst each other between songs, The Hollows manage to make it work and watching their passion on stage bring each song together cohesively is supremely entertaining.

With just 8 songs in their set, The Hollows made each one stand out. The blues were on display during ?Youngblood,? with guitarist Rob Morrison?s vocals reaching the pinnacle of high pitch, while ?Old Brown Dog? let the band cut their country chops. The highlight was certainly ?3 Months/3 Years,? which began with an a-capella harmony before emerging into a jazzy 80's Billy Joel Motown style tune. The small crowd out in front danced along in unison like it was an oldies concert. The band settled into a cover of The Band?s ?The Weight? as an appropriate choice, with the audience singing the words right back to the melody driven chorus.

Seeing this rising band live is in a word: fun. They are an energetic bunch, passionate about performing the music that they so clearly care about and it resonates with their audience. The atmosphere inside Sullivan Hall on this night was infectious and if you don?t want to move around at least a little bit when watching The Hollows perform live, you might want to check yourself for a pulse.

The Hollows ? Live at Sullivan Hall
New York, NY
April 25th, 2012

1. August
2. Old Brown Dog
3. Sticks & Stones
4. 3 Months/3 Years
5. Youngblood
6. Josephine
7. Whiskey & Wine
8. The Weight
- LocalBozo


""The Hollows Discuss New EP, Songwriting, And Swapping Instruments""

Interview: The Hollows Discuss New EP, Songwriting, And Swapping Instruments
by Elise Yablon
May 23rd, 2012

New York folk-rock band The Hollows have a unique sound to their music. Made up of Jeffrey Kurtze (basses), Daniel Kwiatkowski (banjo, guitars, vocals), Rob Morrison (mandolin, guitars, vocals), David Paarlberg (keys, guitar, accordion, trumpet, vocals), Erik Saxvik (guitar, keys, vocals), and Justin Aaronson (drums, percussion, vocals), the band's music finds inspiration in genres as diverse as alternative, bluegrass, folk, and soul.

As interesting as their sound is their live show. Not having one lead singer in particular, the six-piece band switches vocalists, as well as instruments, with every song.

After releasing their debut full-length, Belong to the Land, in August of 2011, The Hollows have had a lot of success. The band was named Deli Magazine's "Artist of the Month" for August 2011, was a Time Out New York critic's pick, and played the 2011 CMJ Festival.

The Hollows will be releasing their new, self-titled EP on June 26th. In February, the band released a video for their song "Poor Eyes," off of their full-length.

I had the chance to correspond with the band through email to discuss the band's origins, their sound, the new EP and music video, and swapping instruments during their live show.

How did the band form?

Jeff: I think the best part about how The Hollows came to be is that we didn't begin with any intentions of starting a band.

Dan: It was mostly a product of a bunch of friends who knew each other for a long time and all played music on various levels but never as a group.

Jeff: Since our college days, DK [Dan], Erik, Dave, and I would gather with friends and instruments and we would just play music into the night. We simply liked hanging out and playing music. When Rob and DK met, the same pattern repeated itself.

Rob: I met DK doing a production of Big River at Goodspeed Opera House -- we were both actors in the show. We made a ton of music during our three month stint together. Around the time we got back to New York, the two of us began playing folk music at a kosher steakhouse in Manhattan. (The restaurant erroneously referred to us as "The Rob Morrison Folk Duo." A little odd to name a duo after one member, wouldn't you say?) DK had introduced me to Erik, Jeff, and Dave by this point, and our weekly work sessions were becoming the highlight of my creative life.

Dan: Eventually a few of us started meeting regularly, and then more of us did, and before we knew it we had a few gigs.

Jeff: We started crafting and shaping our own songs, and sharing and teaching and learning what the other person had going on inside his head...

Dan: ...and the more we did it, the more we thought that it was a worthwhile endeavor because we could feel and see the music growing.

Rob: It wasn't long before we began booking more shows, writing more songs, and finally recording the LP. For 80% of our live shows, we had no drummer. This finally changed when Justin joined us as permanent drummer, starting with our CMJ showcase last October.

Jeff: Now we have a full-length album for sale, an EP about to be released, and we're talking about Album Two with no end in sight. A lot can happen when all you want to do is play music.

What is the songwriting process like?

Rob: Each song is different. For me, as an individual writer, sometimes songs come out of the ether as a fully-formed beast ("Sycamore"), and others I really have to work at for a while ("Mad as Dogs"). From The Hollows EP, the song "August" came to me in pretty much one sitting, which is always refreshing. But the group songwriting process is much more complex. With the exception of one or two pieces, most of our songs are written by an individual songwriter, and then brought into the Hollows laboratory for full-band assemblage.

Erik: For me, I generally noodle around on the guitar until I find a riff that I like. Then, I usually write lyrics in a stream-of-consciousness fashion with a central theme in mind... usually three times as many stanzas as will be necessary for a realized song. After that, it's all about judicious editing to eliminate everything that isn't essential to the momentum of the tune. As far as the orchestration is concerned, that's a group effort that usually takes more time than any other stage of the songwriting process.

Dan: Because everyone is a songwriter in one form or another, it can be tricky. Lyrically, it's usually one person writing the lyrics for any given song, or even coming up with a chord structure, but after that the band as a whole begins to pick it apart. It's a process that is fairly unpredictable.

Rob: Sometimes the writer knows exactly what he wants from the other members, and other times the picture isn't so distinct at first. The process is always unique. It can be frustrating pulling something from nothing, but we try to take our time and not - Examiner


"VENTS MAGAZINE interview"

The Hollows' new EP out June 26th
Vents Magazine
June 12th, 2012

How did you guys all meet? Why did you guys pick that name as your band's name?

JEFF: DK, Dave, Erik and I all met in college, where we studied theatre. Music was more of a hobby then than anything else; it was just something we did for fun when we were hanging out. When DK met Rob, the same pattern repeated itself, Rob was introduced and we started jamming... eventually the jams got more serious and we could see them going somewhere. We gigged for some time without a steady drummer, until we auditioned Justin before our CMJ show last fall.

ROB: In terms of the band's name, we had kicked a few ideas around but nothing had stuck yet-- finally, "The Hollows" popped up in my head one night. I guess I was thinking about spaces between things, or between notes, specifically--the "hollow" places between sounds or musical intervals. A "hollow" or a "holler" is also an Appalachian colloquialism for a wooded valley between two hills or mountains, which is arguably a setting that some of our songs might invoke... we liked it for its simplicity, and because it's open for interpretation.

Talk to us more about your performances at Rockwood Music Hall.

ERIK: In a word? Cozy. In every way in which that word can describe all things good about an intimate venue.

ROB: We've had two shows at Rockwood Music Hall so far, and a third coming up in July. What I like most about Rockwood is the vibe. When you walk into that place, it immediately feels like they take music seriously there. The venue is set up so that the stage is the center of attention, almost like an altar or something. Plus, I'm a sucker for lightbulbs with a vintage-filament look.

DAVE: Yeah, it's got this supper-club vibe with the low-hanging balcony seating... classy. And selfishly, I'm fond of any venue that boasts a baby grand.

DAN: It can be a challenge, given that the space is that small, but it allows us to play some of our more intimate songs, which is always nice. The sound there is really wonderful and it's just a lot of fun being that close on stage with the band. It lends itself to a certain amount of silliness, which we thrive on.

JEFF: We are no strangers to performing on stages with tight quarters. There are six of us, and we all play two or three instruments each, leaving just enough room to stand in one place and play. I think I've only been smacked in the head twice at Rockwood, and almost got pushed over once. But once we're all crammed on to the stage and start playing, we're always pleased to hear such a unique, warm sound. It's such an intimate setting, like playing for your friends in the living room.

What are your musical influences?

DAVE: They're all over the place, really. We definitely formed The Hollows over a mutual love for Dylan, The Band, Neil Young, Tom Waits, CCR... but after that it pretty much turns into a melting pot, from King Crimson to Akron/Family to Rosetta Tharpe to Coltrane to Chopin... we agree on some things; others we don't -- but the one thing we really have in common is that we all listen to a ton of different music.

What makes your sound different from the others?

DAN: I think what makes us different is that we have multiple songwriters in the group, so what's influencing us is constantly changing -- and because of that I think it's hard to pigeonhole us, which in my opinion is one of our greatest strengths.

What are your hobbies?

DAVE: One used to be music, but that's getting to be more and more of a full-time job lately, which makes me feel pretty lucky. It's sort of swapped places with acting, which is what many of us went to school for and what used to occupy most of my time. I still act on occasion though, so I guess if anything that's more like a hobby these days. I also do a good bit of reading, and I like old movies.

DAN: In my spare time I like to write as much as possible. Mostly for theatre. I have a few plays and ideas for plays that I am currently developing, and it's exciting to be constantly trying to create a world that you are responsible for.

ROB: My hobbies used to include improv, camping, busking. These days, between my job in the cast of Avenue Q off-Broadway, and The Hollows, I don't have time for much else! I love being outdoors and going for hikes, but I'm also the kinda guy who likes to sit by himself and write until the wee hours.

JEFF: I play a lot of darts. It's a great way just chill and spend time with your pals. It's hard to do better than a giant plate of chicken wings, a frosty brew, and a gentlemanly game of arrows.

ERIK: I'm a huge sports fan. I think its because I love good, old-fashioned, healthy competition. There is also a lot to be learned from elite professional athletes about dedication, working as a team, pushing those around you to be better.

What are you looking to spread with your music?

ROB: Most of the music I hear on the radio doesn't fee - Vents Magazine


"Belong to the Land (Best New Music)"

Staying true to nearly everything pop culture has forgotten about music, Belong to the Land is full of long, unwinding adventures that have no problem showing off. Technology has really made it easy for shitty musicians to write great tracks (not necessarily a bad thing) but The Hollows demonstrate complete proficiency in their trade and when you have that, you’re free to write some of the best tunes around. Worth every penny (for once) as you are truly listening to master craftsmen. - Dingus on Music


"The Hollows’ “Belong to the Land” is an incredible debut effort"

This year has thus far blown me away as far as the quality of music I have reviewed. The word “outstanding” doesn’t even begin to describe it. Just go back and look at some of the reviews I’ve written here, David Bromberg, Elvin Bishop, and Meat Puppets, to name a few.

The latest great band to cross my path is The Hollows, out of Brooklyn, New York. While listening to the first track on the record, I had flashbacks to Jefferson Starship before they sold out and became commercial. It was reminiscent of their classic 1970 release “Blows Against the Empire” without the space theme. I'm strictly referring to the sound here, not the lyrics. That’s as far as I’ll go with comparisons, although they do list bands such as The Band and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young as a couple of their major influences along with Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Old Crow Medicine Show. I believe The Hollows are finding, or have found their own way and will make their own mark on music history.

This is their debut release and it’s a monster. Not just in quality either, even though there is no doubt it applies to their work, but also in quantity as well. The album contains fourteen original tunes ranging from 47 seconds, to six minutes in length. Most are four to five minutes in length, all in all totaling around sixty-five minutes of incredible music.

It all gets started with the fore mentioned first track, “Basilica” a raucous little tune about a church and a shotgun wedding, with a very misleading banjo intro that rapidly turns into a very funky folk-rock ballad. Please do not misunderstand, the banjo belongs there, and later on, so does the mandolin. It all works splendidly well, and will have you dancing around the room laughing uncontrollably. It is an enormous amount of fun to listen too.

The range of talent here is extraordinary. They will rock you; they will serenade you with dramatic folk ballads on steroids. The Hollows incorporate just about every instrument known to man throughout the record, ranging from dulcimer to electric guitar, to piano to accordion. All the vocals are powerful, without ever overpowering each other. They instead complement one another on song after song.

The second tune is “Youngblood” but not to be confused with the Leon Russell classic. Even though I believe The Hollows, “Youngblood” could go in the direction of classic status as well. That is if we can get it some airplay.

However, I think one of the most impressive tunes on the entire record is “Mad as Dogs” which could be one of those “cross-over” tunes that possesses the ability to catapult a band into the spotlight. If that happens, I urge the band to remain close to its roots. Wilco did that and it has worked for them. They have continued to evolve without abandoning who they are. The Hollows should do the same.

I can guarantee you one thing. Nearly every tune on this record could easily find its way on to my weekly radio program. Overall, The Hollows’ “Belong to the Land” is one of the most enjoyable records I have heard this year, possibly this millennium!

The Hollows are Jeffrey Kurtz, Daniel Kwiatkowski, Rob Morrison, David Paarlberg, and Erik Saxvik. They all hail from the northeast and the upper Midwest.

“Belong to the Land” was recorded in Rhinebeck, NY at The Clubhouse, where artists such as Dr. John, Natalie Merchant, Rusted Root, and George Clinton have all recorded. The record was superbly produced and mixed by Graham Galatro.

I normally abhor name-calling, but here I am going to do some name suggesting; ‘Rebel’ Rod says you may be a fool if you don’t, at the very least, check this one out. It releases August 9 and I will, with the bands permission, be spinning a track or two Saturday night on my show.
- From Under The Basement


"Rootsy 5-piece can finally add a debut record to their kitchen sink"

The Hollows are a 5-piece band from Brooklyn who specialize in the multi-part harmony, instrument-swapping, kitchen sink approach that The Band made famous. Formed in 2009, the group has developed a solid local following, due to their energetic live shows, which despite lacking a drummer keep the audience's toes tapping nonstop.

In June of 2010 you had a residency at Pete's Candy Store. Can you talk a bit about the how you developed your fan base leading up to that event?

JEFF: That June was actually our second residency at Pete's, the first being Tuesdays in December of 2009-- where sometimes there would be five people in the crowd sometimes twenty. Basically, we learned that there was no such thing as a built-in audience-- but back then, it was just as much about playing shows at all. We played every show we could get our hands on about thirty or forty in our first year. Pete's was kind enough to ask us back in June 2010 on Saturdays at 11, a prime slot. At this point we were trying to be a bit savvier with social media, YouTube, and an official website, thehollowsonline.com. The best we could do to get people to shows was to let them know what we were working on, what our schedule was, et cetera. Consistent updates kept the momentum going and kept people checking back to see what was new. Shortly before the 2010 residency, we'd also embarked on a small tour, which is around the time we started sending a mailing list around at shows. It helps to be able to send personalized messages directly to mailboxes as opposed to blanket invites on sites like Facebook and Twitter. The bottom line is we try to keep our fans informed and involved with us as we grow and try to use every medium at our disposal to do so. The album, Belong to the Land, is the next step in that process-- it'll be the first time that we have a piece of ourselves and our music to offer our fan base outside of a live performance.

With all five members contributing to the songwriting process, is there also a shared vision for what you hope the audience gets from your material?

ERIK: In our creative process there isn't a whole lot of attention paid to how our material will be received, but instead we try to be integrated and specific with one another about the message(s) and aesthetics that we are promoting. Once an artist begins to cater to his/her audience, it's contradictory to the fundamental principles of any artistic endeavor: trying to inspire people by openly expressing one's world view, having a sense of the "whole", trying to tap into universal truths about hope, fear, joy, lust, triumph, anguish, forgiveness...the list goes on. As far as the collaborative process is concerned, the most successful orchestrations of our material happen by committee and also a commitment to digging into the dialogue we have with one another. We are an ensemble from start to finish, with no defined roles. It can be frustrating at times to be so nebulous, but in the end, our trust in each other helps us to listen to the pulse of the group rather than any of its individual parts. The overall aesthetic we are driving towards is in every way a product of five individuals working together toward a common goal.

To me, your live performances always come across like melodic, fiery hoedowns. In terms of the debut recording, did you try to emulate this energy or take a different route?

DAN: For recording we went upstate and were mostly by ourselves. We did have?an exceptional group of visitors that made everything feel like home and that helped a great deal? but really, unless you have all those people from a live audience there with you in the studio, it's hard to recreate that energy. We did record a bunch of close friends and fans in Jeff?s apartment for?a song called Sticks and Stones,?and their presence? singing, dancing, shouting, playing? really made the track into something that we feel is magical and special. Live shows and recordings are two completely different mediums and it will always be a struggle to marry the two. This is definitely a studio album. We wanted something that was a little different from our live shows,?but it's a compass that hopefully leads more people?TO our live shows, and then they can sweat, curse, drink,?dance, and make merry with us. What we do in a live show is try to show people how much we genuinely love playing together, and share that passion with our audience. And I think when you see anybody achieve that onstage it's infectious. None of us were musicians by trade. We're all actors, and I think our idea of performance is different from a lot of bands. Most important is the idea that none of us belong to a genre, individually or as a group, be it the band or any of our fans. Everyone has their own story to tell, and that necessitates a certain amount of freedom and letting go of definitions we?ve never really felt the need to seriously define our music. We?re very lucky that a lot of different-sounding s - The Deli Magazine


"THE HOLLOWS: BELONG TO THE LAND"

(from an upcoming article in The Deli Magazine, interviewed by Ben Krieger)

In June of 2010 you had a residency at Pete's Candy Store. Can you talk a bit about the how you developed your fan base leading up to that event?

JEFF: That June was actually our second residency at Pete’s, the first being Tuesdays in December of 2009— where sometimes there would be five people in the crowd; sometimes twenty. Basically, we learned that there was no such thing as a built-in audience— but back then, it was just as much about playing shows at all. We played every show we could get our hands on; about thirty or forty in our first year. Pete’s was kind enough to ask us back in June 2010 on Saturdays at 11, a prime slot. At this point we were trying to be a bit savvier with social media, YouTube, and an official website, thehollowsonline.com. The best we could do to get people to shows was to let them know what we were working on, what our schedule was, et cetera. Consistent updates kept the momentum going and kept people checking back to see what was new. Shortly before the 2010 residency, we’d also embarked on a small tour, which is around the time we started sending a mailing list around at shows. It helps to be able to send personalized messages directly to mailboxes as opposed to blanket invites on sites like Facebook and Twitter. The bottom line is we try to keep our fans informed and involved with us as we grow and try to use every medium at our disposal to do so. The album, Belong to the Land, is the next step in that process— it’ll be the first time that we have a piece of ourselves and our music to offer our fan base outside of a live performance.

With all five members contributing to the songwriting process, is there also a shared vision for what you hope the audience gets from your material?

ERIK: In our creative process there isn't a whole lot of attention paid to how our material will be received, but instead we try to be integrated and specific with one another about the message(s) and aesthetics that we are promoting. Once an artist begins to cater to his/her audience, it's contradictory to the fundamental principles of any artistic endeavor: trying to inspire people by openly expressing one's world view, having a sense of the "whole", trying to tap into universal truths about hope, fear, joy, lust, triumph, anguish, forgiveness.....the list goes on. As far as the collaborative process is concerned, the most successful orchestrations of our material happen by committee and also a commitment to digging into the dialogue we have with one another. We are an ensemble from start to finish, with no defined roles. It can be frustrating at times to be so nebulous, but in the end, our trust in each other helps us to listen to the pulse of the group rather than any of its individual parts. The overall aesthetic we are driving towards is in every way a product of five individuals working together toward a common goal.

To me, your live performances always come across like melodic, fiery hoedowns. In terms of the debut recording, did you try to emulate this energy or take a different route?

DAN: For recording we went upstate and were mostly by ourselves. We did have an exceptional group of visitors that made everything feel like home and that helped a great deal— but really, unless you have all those people from a live audience there with you in the studio, it's hard to recreate that energy. We did record a bunch of close friends and fans in Jeff’s apartment for a song called Sticks and Stones, and their presence— singing, dancing, shouting, playing— really made the track into something that we feel is magical and special. Live shows and recordings are two completely different mediums and it will always be a struggle to marry the two. This is definitely a studio album. We wanted something that was a little different from our live shows, but it's a compass that hopefully leads more people TO our live shows, and then they can sweat, curse, drink, dance, and make merry with us. What we do in a live show is try to show people how much we genuinely love playing together, and share that passion with our audience. And I think when you see anybody achieve that onstage it's infectious. None of us were musicians by trade. We're all actors, and I think our idea of performance is different from a lot of bands. Most important is the idea that none of us belong to a genre, individually or as a group, be it the band or any of our fans. Everyone has their own story to tell, and that necessitates a certain amount of freedom and letting go of definitions; we’ve never really felt the need to seriously define our music. We’re very lucky that a lot of different-sounding songs and stories happen to live together quite well— you’ll hear dirge songs and murder ballads, raucous celebratory marches, love songs, promise songs, break-up songs, rock, blues, country, folk, roots music, orchestral music - The Deli Magazine


Discography

Photos

Bio

The Hollows are a roots-rock ensemble of multi-instrumentalists— a freewheeling hootenanny of a band. A veritable junkyard of mandolins, banjos, guitars, accordions, horns, harmonicas, and various other musical doodads are in constant rotation, and with no frontman (or six frontmen), everyone writes and arranges material, creating a diverse and uniquely blended sound.

Their debut LP, Belong to the Land, was recorded at The Clubhouse in Rhinebeck, NY and released in August 2011. Soon after, the band was voted The Deli Magazine's "NYC Artist of the Month" and showcased in the 2011 CMJ Music Marathon. "Poor Eyes," the band's first music video, was released in February 2012 (its release party garnering a "Critic's Pick" in TimeOut NY), and the track was later featured in the soundtrack to Bob Giraldi's short film"A Poet Long Ago" (2013).

A follow-up self-titled EP was tracked at Brooklyn's Grand Street Recording and Galaxy Smith Studios and released in June 2012, landing features on Spinner, The Huffington Post, MSN, WCBS FMPure Volume, and MP3.com, among others. A second music video, "August," was released that July on BaebleMusic.

The Hollows showcased again in the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon and attended South by Southwest 2013 in Austin, TX.  A live album, Neverending Show, was released in April 2013 and was called "a fresh breath of true musician spirit" that offered "a soulful, powerful and thick sound" and captured "everything that makes seeing The Hollows live in concert so much fun."

The band is currently tracking their second full-length studio album at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn with 

The band recently completed main tracking for their next full-length studio album at The Bunker in Brooklyn with John Siket (Sonic Youth, Phish, Yo La Tengo, Dave Matthews Band).

Onstage, The Hollows are a high-octane, unpredictable barn-burner. You can expect a lot of foot-stomping, over-the-top toasts to life and death, and a good bit of sweat. Put on yer dancin' shoes.

Band Members