Hollis Lomax – Will Rowland (keys/vocals), Hugo Keays (guitar), Will Ellis (bass guitar) and Rob Taylor (drums) – met in Oxford two years ago while at university, finding common ground over a shared enthusiasm for the Beatles, Jonathan Richman and Elgar.
An eclectic mix that may well be, yet It’s that wide open mindedness, pulling on influences from additional John Cale, Brian Eno, Talk Talk – taking a guess here that’s where the band name comes from, in part anyway – paying dividends for them now, with new single ‘Past Time’ out tomorrow showing ambitions way beyond alternative pop parameters.
In new single Past Time, we go through a coming of age journey with the foursome; a relaxed reflection moving into intense realisation. So much to love in the wonderful jazz percussion and emotionally anguished, questioning vocal. It’s a confident, bold release; Hollis Lomax got sass, folks.
“Reflecting on a past relationship, the themes of ‘Past Time’ assess’ how life has since changed. The nostalgia is coloured by the difficulties of navigating adult-life and the responsibilities that accompany it. The three-part nature of the song is supposed to feel like a journey in which, by the second part, the lyrics show a more mature, adult approach to romance. However, the final section presents an internal conflict, as it paints a messy emotional frenzy, led by the lyrics ‘Let’s go there’, which refer to a desire to return to a ‘Past Time’ of emotional intensity and youthful excitement,” they say.
The band have already released a debut EP, recorded in Damon Albarn‘s Studio 13, as well as a remix of last single ‘Climb‘ – remixed by Tony Njoku, previous winner of Green Man Rising.
Hollis Lomax have played headline shows at The Islington, London and The Cellar, Oxford. The band start up gigs again with a support slot, alongside Pynch, at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington in August.
God Is In The TV is delighted today to premiere Past Time, and hope they remember us when they get famous.
