Holy Holy move between separate states, physically and creatively. For co-founders Tim Carroll and Oscar Dawson, who met in South East Asia, these states have changed between Melbourne and Brisbane as well as their exchange of ideas from Stockholm to Berlin. KYRA SHENNAN spoke to frontman Carroll and found out how the sound of Holy Holy’s music has taken on changes and challenges to deliver their second album Paint.
Paint is dripping with the sounds of a band utilising the creativity that comes along with live performance.
When asked what the overall sound and themes are of Paint, Carroll quipped the desire to provide a sound that is more engaging and energetic in a live environment. He states that their debut album When the Storms Would Come is more acoustic and expresses a sense of isolation reflecting their recording process at the time. Paint, on the other hand, invokes “the excitement and dynamic of a band that plays a lot live”.
Holy Holy – as spoken for by Carroll, view their debut album as a work they are very proud of. “Every record is different and is an opportunity to try new things,” he says.
As such, Paint is an expressive way to exhibit the personalities of all the band members, especially those that came later; keys player Matt Redlich who’s production skills with the likes of Husky, Ball Park Music and Emma Louise, make him the man with the magic fingers, along with Hungry Kids Of Hungary drummer Ryan Straithie, and Graham Ritchie, whose involvement with the likes of Big Scary, Japanese Wallpaper and Emma Louise have given the bassist enriching ideas. Together they contribute their strengths to create a dynamic collective.
Paint also brings artists together in a very physical sense. Holy Holy have collaborated with four individual painters to create a work of art to the sound of four different songs for documentary/ film clips displaying the talent of both the painters and musicians.
Carroll considers the Australian music industry to be “incredibly vibrant” and feels “lucky to live in a country with such original, progressive music and radio stations that are very influential and support local bands.”
When asked about their tour of The UK, Europe and Australia late 2016, Carroll affirms he was nervous yet it was a very fun tour with lots of humbling experiences such as playing a sold out show in a town they had never heard of in the Netherlands. He says Australian music has a good reputation overseas.
Carroll’s touring experience has given him more insight when it comes to running Tasmanian music festival Panama. His inside experience with touring and playing shows allows him to create an organised and happy environment for the artists.
“It dovetails well with live performing,” he says.
Holy Holy’s sophomore album, Paint, is out now.
