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The combination of rock, punk, and folk never sounded as sweet as this New York City based band Hollands, has accomplished on their debut EP, “Faces”. Hollands, formed in February 2008 in Washington Heights, NY, is multi-instrumentalist John-Paul Norpoth (formerly the co-lead of NYC-based Butane Variations) and violinist Jannina Barefield (heard on Akron/Family’s Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free, as well as appearing on stage with Jay-Z, and Beyonce, among others). Their debut EP “Faces", an exploration of Norpoth's musical maturity, will be released this Summer. "Faces" includes the guitar-riff driven, “Strong Arm,” to “Coughing Boy,” a soft, flowing melody over gentle electric guitars.
“Faces,” which was self-produced and co-engineered by Colby Devereux and Hollands, was recorded in various studios and homes in New York City and San Diego, California during Norpoth's post-graduate summer of 2005. Norpoth had been exploring more pop/rock song writing with fellow New School Graduates and friends Earl Maneein and Kenny Grohowski. Included on this EP is a composition by Earl Maneein entitled "Anomie," the most traditional anti-folk tune of the EP.
Hollands’ ability to meld together a vast array of musical influences and experiences into their music has already developed a following of fans and early press response to their live shows and upcoming EP “Faces”, has been enthusiastic. Relix’s Heather Simon proclaimed, “The unpredictably of the lyrics become provocative poetry when sung over instrumentals that have been laid out with such compositional intent.” The Ithaca Journal wrote, “Norpoth performs orchestral pop that is immediately inspiring yet complex with a structural foundation.”
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John-Paul Norpoth, the son of a classical flautist, and Jannina Barefield, the daughter of Detroit based avant-garde jazz guitarist Spencer Barefield, combine fuzzy guitars with orchestral arrangements and traditional folk nods. They have lent their skills to other artist’s musical aspirations as well: Norpoth played on Akron/Family’s self-titled Young God Records debut and Your 33 Black Angels self-titled debut, while Barefield, as previously mentioned, played on Akron/Family’s recently released, Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘Em Free. She has also performed on stage with countless acts such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, Foxy Brown, and Amy Grant, and was a featured artist on VH-1's “Save the Music.”
At times, Hollands sounds like a simple folk duo, plaintive and gentle, soft and free. At others, the band performs as a loud, brash, orchestral rock ensemble; employing cello, organs, synthesizers, electric and acoustic violins. In other words, they'll explore any means necessary to realize the most honest atmosphere and capture the diversity of each song. Their highly anticipated upcoming EP, “Mother”, which will be released in the Fall, is sure to show a new depth to their music and serves as a great example of the group’s versatility.
www.hollandsss.com
www.myspace.com/hollandsss
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For additional information or materials on Hollands, please contact Jocelynn Loebl at Howlin’ Wuelf Media at 917-523-8881
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