Search for
Search for
Search forHolloways ready to unleash “difficult” album
07:00 - 08-May-2008
Since winning significant success two years ago with the Calypso-tinged indie rock of their first album, So This Is Great Britain, the North London-based foursome feel they've done a whole lot of maturing in the public eye.
So now, with three Top 40 singles and an acclaimed debut LP under their belts, the group finally feel like they're ready to unleash that “difficult” second album on the world – and take a step up the rock'n'roll ladder.
The band, named after the road they were formed in, in 2004, will be premiering their new material when they arrive at Hull's Asylum next week as part of a whistle-stop tour of the UK's best university venues.
“The new album's finished and we're ready to roll,” says the band's guitarist and violinist Rob Skipper. “These gigs will be the first chance anyone outside the band has had to hear the new stuff, so we're pretty excited about it.
“We think it's sounding wicked – it's got a nice mix of songs and we think, musically, it's a definite step up from our first album.
“All we've got to do now is get out there and tell everyone.”
And Rob, whose violin brings a distinctly Wonderstuffy vibe to The Holloway's folkified rock, says the new record – called Tales From The Tarmac – is leaps and bounds ahead of the group's fledgling efforts.
“When we did the first album, we were all about 18 and I suppose a bit naive. Now we're 22, we've done a bit more, got a lot more experience and a lot more to write about.
“The last album was good for a first attempt and it got us a little bit of success – Generator And Two Left Feet both did really well in the singles charts – so I suppose the challenge was to write some songs that matched up to those.
“I think we've done that – but I suppose we have to see what the reaction is from the fans.”
But Rob isn't deluding himself that rock'n'roll success is a shortcut to fame and riches any more. For The Holloways, being able to keep making music is the primary aim.
“In this day and age, the realistic aim is just to keep going and do a third and fourth album,” he says, shrugging. “Just to be able to keep playing music for a living is a huge achievement these days because nobody buys albums any more.
“The music industry is going down the pan and a lot of quite successful bands are struggling to make a go of it. But that's not to say we don't enjoy it,” he says. “To be honest, we're living in a dream land where we can wake up every morning and play music. Long may it continue.”
The Holloways play Asylum, University Of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, on Friday, May 16, at 8pm. Tickets cost £10. Call (01482) 466253
No win, no fee. You've seen us on TV. Get back on your feet.
Request free prices for conservatory installation.
A full range of tools and products for the Trade and serious Diyer.
The Holloways play Asylum as part of a UK university venue tour
Email this story to a friend
Print this story
Comment on this story
Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball. From, Soho down to Brighton I must've played them all.
Be the first reader to comment on this story.