Hollan Holmes has been earning praise for his amazing science-fiction audio soundscapes since his debut album in 2010, A Distant Light which was released to immediate critical acclaim. Two of his albums, Phase Shift and The Spirits Of Starlight, were nominated as One World Music's Album Of The Year. His 2017 double release, Prayer To The Energy, was the most difficult work of his musical career, requiring two years of serious effort and careful introspection, but was very well received and is considered by many to be his finest work. Holmes has already gained a reputation as a serious fine artist and graphic designer, the skills of which have allowed him to design and create the layout of all of his albums. Both of these careers, Holmes says, feed off of one another much like a symbiotic relationship. Energy from one feeds the energy for the other. Self-taught in both disciplines, Holmes strives to master both art forms to the very best of his abilities and the act of sharing his creations with the world brings him great joy, which drives him to create even more.
Artist website: http://hollanholmesmusic.com
"Each of our milestones in life adds to our growth in so many ways. My growth as a composer involves, in no small way, experimentation and each album is an attempt to grow and improve and hone my craft to the very best of my abilities. Music, however, is much like any art form in that it is subjective and that is the risk with doing anything creative. However, I made a promise to myself before I made my first album that I would only make music for me and no one else. While it is my sincere hope that others enjoy what I'm doing, my goal is to make the kind of music to which I personally want to listen.
"Milestones is entirely software-based, with regard to production. While I continue to explore hardware-based performances, this one was done using soft-synths and an array of digital effects and processing. One of the most exciting things about what I do is in the creative process of sound design. It isn't uncommon for me to come up with a sound that interests me so much that I build an entire song around it. Sound design is very important to my work. Certain emotions are best conveyed by certain sounds and I am constantly trying to be mindful of this. Also, what processing is applied to a sound is actually a huge part of my methodology. It is among the most exciting things I do while making my music.
“I relied primarily on Propellerhead's Reason to create my 7th album, “Milestones,” although Presonus Studio One IV was also used. Many plugins were used, as well, such as Spectrasonics' Omnisphere, Native Instruments Kontakt, Heavyocity's Gravity, Arturia's V Collection and so many others. My go-to effects plugins include Valhalla Room and FabFilter's Pro-Q and Timeless-2, but many others were used, as well." (the preceding quotes came from the Spotted Peccary Music artist notes)
This is where it all happens:
I had the opportunity to explore ideas about the creative process by way of email with Hollan Holmes and I have some notes to share with you now about his music and about his newest release, Milestones, available February 21, 2020 from Spotted Peccary Music. (https://spottedpeccary.com/)
Tracks:
1 Transmitter 05:00
2 One Giant Leap 05:17
3 The Truth Laid Bare 05:44
4 Slipstream 07:02
5 West Texas Backroads 07:05
6 Bulletproof 06:21
7 Inner Sanctum 07:12
8 The Phone Call 07:10
9 Something Wicked This Way Comes 06:49
10 Ayyappan 07:19
What is it about the electronic sound that attracts you to soft-synth technology?
It's incredibly expressive! You can make sounds no one has ever heard before and use those sounds to describe your emotions or to tell a particular story in very creative ways. Also, working with soft synths is both very efficient and intuitive (most of the time).
In the last few years, we've seen an explosion in software synth technology. The main attraction is that they're very cheap when compared to their hardware based counterparts. However, it's so much more fun to play with hardware synthesizers, especially the modulars, because they're tactile; you can touch them. Physically twisting a knob is so much more fun than pushing a mouse around on a computer screen. Each realm has their advantages and disadvantages. The old vintage modulars were problematic, they would drift out of tune and you couldn't save patches. Software synths pretty much eliminate those drawbacks.
What events would you care to identify that have moved you to create Milestones?
Some events were personal, some were ones that affected all of us. “The Phone Call” is sort of both. I think all of us have received at least one phone call in our life that changed us. Mine was getting a phone call at work one day in the early 90s from my wife's place of work, informing me that “We don't know what happened, but the paramedics are working on your wife now and they're taking her to the hospital.” That was an hour of uncertainty that I'll never forget (she had an epileptic seizure and fell and split her head open, but she's fine today). One event that changed us all was the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The song, “One Giant Leap” is about that human milestone. “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is about 9/11. That definitely changed many of us. “Bulletproof” is about graduating high school and thinking we're going to live forever; that nothing can stop us; that nothing bad will ever happen to us and that feeling of freedom and energy and that we can accomplish anything.
Who have been some sound designers or specific works that have influenced your work in general or Milestones in particular?
Sound design is something that makes up half of my interest in all of my musical endeavors. It's very important to my overall music making experience. Eric Persing and Richard Devine are among my favorites. Joel Thomas Zimmerman (Deadmau5) comes to mind, as well. They're an inspiration, because they create sounds that are original, very unique and very emotive.
Eric Persing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Persing
Richard Devine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Devine
Joel Thomas Zimmerman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadmau5
Where were you born, where do you live now, and how might that have influenced your work?
I was born in Dallas, Texas. From there I moved to Wichita Falls, then Abilene, then to my current location of Euless, so I've been in Texas all my life. The land is what inspires me the most. I love the Hill Country of Central Texas, but I find most of my inspiration in the rugged lands of West Texas. While West Texas may seem more connected to Country and Western music, I think there is a connection between that land and more electronic based sounds.
The possibilities are endless. It's about how the land makes me feel.
Tell me a little more about Ayyappan, the Hindu God of growth, for whom track 10 is named after.
Ayyappan is a deity, the son of Shiva and Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu. I have a friend in India named Ayyappan and he is an amazing man. Very smart, devoted to his family and never, ever complains about anything, even though there are many aspects of his life that are worthy of complaint. It is this latter aspect of his behavior that has taught me so much and that is how I have personally grown, both spiritually and emotionally. I did not know what his name meant, until I looked it up much later in our friendship. Our friendship is definitely a milestone in my life. He has unwittingly taught me to be thankful for what I have and to not be unhappy about what I do not have.
How did you come to meet Ayyappan, your friend from India?
My main profession is that of a landscape artist and I often post my work on some Facebook watercolor groups. It was there where Ayyappan often commented on my work. We have shared our art and methods with one another for a couple of years now. The internet is not always a friendly place, but I'm thankful that his and my paths crossed, because we are very good friends now, even though we have never met in person.
How did you come to meet Howard Givens, the legendary Spotted Peccary ambient electronic artist?
I ran into Howard at a Steve Roach concert in Tucson in 2017. I knew who he was, so I introduced myself and we immediately began talking about the possibilities of my forming a relationship with Spotted Peccary. In the end, it was Howard, acting as producer really, who gently guided this first release to fruition. Had it not been for him, I seriously doubt that this album would sound as polished as it does, and I don't mean just with the mastering, but how I approached the entire project. I've never had anyone help me with my music in that way. He is an important part of any success this album experiences.
If you had a dream place to live, where would it be?
While I love my Texas, I do not love her heat. I'm definitely wired for cold weather. I guess my dream home would be somewhere in Western Wyoming or Eastern Idaho. I have a thing for mountains and clear rivers. Both are deeply inspiring and peaceful places. Maybe I would spend Winters in Southern Utah, Arizona and West Texas. The Desert Southwest is crazy beautiful to me.
What is your most treasured accomplishment?
To date, my most cherished accomplishment would have to be getting my art into the American Watercolor Society shows. The AWS show is the best of the best and getting accepted the first time was literally a dream-come-true. A close second is achieving a growing audience for my music. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that so many people would reach out to me and tell me how my music has changed their lives in some positive way. That is a deeply rewarding thing to hear for any musician. Two of my albums were nominated for One World Music's Album Of The Year. I was very honored by that.
How has a daily routine shaped your life?
We are what we tell ourselves we are, so that is why I try to always think positive and try every day to do my best. I fail more often than not, but I try to learn from it. I make my daily habits revolve around my art and music and my health, so that I can improve as a musician, a husband and a man. When I'm gone, I want to leave behind something that others can enjoy for a long time. If I just played video games and ate junk food all day, I wouldn't be leaving behind anything good. I think that doing something – anything – that requires creative thinking is vital to our happiness, even when (or especially when?) it requires struggle and practice. It teaches us discipline, perseverance, dedication and the value of hard work. Nothing good ever came from being a couch potato!
What was your most positive discovery in life?
That anyone, if they set their mind to it, can achieve their dream. Early in life, I did not see my potential, even though others saw it. Find your passion and pursue it with everything you've got. You will be surprised at what you can achieve. Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.
Where do you come up with your best ideas?
Oh, that's a tough one. Usually, they come when I am exploring during sound design. Most often, a song is built around a particular sound and not the other way around. Sometimes, I do have an idea that requires that I design a sound for it. Melodies come to me from only God knows where. They just pop into my head. It's truly difficult to explain sometimes how I get my ideas, but I like to think of it as a language. Musical notes are like the alphabet. Chords are like words, melodies are like sentences and songs are complete stories. You just have to figure out what you want to say, then figure out how to write the story. It does take practice but also an understanding of harmony and, to an extent, music theory. Ultimately, it boils down to what sounds good to you.
What is your favorite album to listen to for inspiration?
Another tough one. Probably a three-way tie between Rush – Subdivisions, Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon and Steve Roach – Mystic Chords And Sacred Spaces.
What is your advice to artists who are starting out?
Above all else, you have to practice. Let nothing stop you from doing what you love to do, even when someone tells you that you don't have a chance at success (yes, it happens). Do not listen to the naysayers, listen to your heart. Also, find a worthy mentor, someone who inspires you and is willing to help you learn your craft, so that you benefit from their experience and avoid developing bad habits. Experiment often, try different methods, follow tutorials, take workshops. That's another thing, don't let anyone tell you that going to a college is required. It is not. Most universities teach very little about what it means to make it in the music or art world. They teach their own, focused agenda that often has little to do with your ultimate goals. I'm not saying that college won't help you, but I am saying that it is not required (at least it wasn't for me and many others). What is absolutely required is an undying passion for your work, whatever it is. Find what you love to do and make it a way of life.
What have been your most important discoveries?
That you get out of life what you put into it. The late Neil Peart, drummer for Rush, sums this up best: “You can fight without ever winning, but you can never win without a fight.” If you persevere, amazing things can happen. This knowledge can only truly be understood by experiencing what perseverance can bring about.
What would you tell a youngster about getting ideas for composing?
I would stress the importance of experimenting. Exploring sound and sound relations. Ideas often come from being inspired by music you love. Maybe NASA and all their achievements inspire you. Maybe a video game soundtrack moves you to create your own compositions. Do not copy, do not steal, but let the work and actions of others inspire your own ideas and influence your explorations. Experimentation is a huge part of what I do, both in music and art.
How did your parents introduce music into your life?
Music was always on in my house, growing up. My dad loved Country & Western. He was actually pretty good with his harmonicas and accordion. My mom loved a lot of contemporary music during the 60s, 70s and 80s, like Burt Bacharach, Chicago and Roberta Flack. My sister loved pop, like the Beatles, Elton John, Jim Croce, The Eagles, Bread, etc. I was exposed to a staggering variety of music growing up. All of it was important in finding my own interests.
Did your parents insist that you practice?
No. They encouraged it, but it was never forced. That probably would have killed my interest in music in short order. My mom paid for my piano lessons for a while and I played a few recitals, but I wasn't inspired at all. When I formed my first rock band at age 18, we practiced every night (!) in my garage. They most definitely did not make me practice then. They still supported me, though, and even helped me buy some of my gear. God bless them. They endured two years of the most godawful racket, but it was quite important in my musical journey and I think they knew that. How they didn't lose their minds is beyond me. Also, I was never without art supplies. I have friends whose parents actually tried to quell their kids' creative endeavors, calling it a pointless waste of time. I'm eternally grateful that my parents, who actually met in art school, always actively encouraged my creativity in every way.
THANK YOU for your time!!!
Thank you for this opportunity to share my story!
You can hear all the albums of of Hollan Holmes musical work on bandcamp (https://hollanholmes.bandcamp.com/), and you can purchase Milestones directly from Spotted Peccary Music (https://spottedpeccary.com/shop/milestones/), in CD format and in 24-BIT AUDIOPHILE, CD QUALITY LOSSLESS, MP3 and streaming formats.
About Spotted Peccary Music:
Portland-based Spotted Peccary Music is North America’s finest independent record label with a focus on deep, vast and introspective soundscapes. For over three decades, the artists of Spotted Peccary have been on a mission to develop, produce, publish and release ultra-high-quality, deep-listening experiences that engage the listener and exceed expectations. Every release is carefully prepared in a variety of high quality formats from MP3 to high-res studio masters. Explore more than 160 titles and 45 artists at www.SpottedPeccary.com and www.AmbientElectronic.com.
Links:
Spotted Peccary Album page: https://spottedpeccary.com/shop/milestones/
Spotted Peccary Artist Page: https://spottedpeccary.com/artists/hollan-holmes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spottedpeccary/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/spottedpeccary
Album unboxing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPr3fw3qB3g
Bandcamp: https://ambientelectronic.bandcamp.com/
Artist website: http://hollanholmesmusic.com
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