Introducing #120 - The Holy
Let us introduce you to Finnish quintet The Holy, who have just treated us to a double dose of their music with duo-single ‘Twilight of the Idiots / No Trail In The Dark’. These two tracks provide us with the first taste of their sophomore album ‘Mono Freedom’ - which is due out on the 18th September via Playground Music. The band took a moment to talk to us about their new music and how the COVID-19 has effected them.
So, you’ve decided to release a double-single with tracks - ‘Twilight Of The Idiots’ and ‘No Trial In The Dark’, why two? And not the old fashioned one?
We felt that by releasing these two songs at the same time we’d give listeners a better view of our world and an introduction to the sound of the new album. The tracks also follow each other on the album and they represent the themes and sound of the album way deeper than just one old fashioned single. And judging by the response from the audience, we have given everyone who likes our music something to build their excitement towards the release of ‘Mono Freedom’.
What are the tracks about? Do they link up?
The tracks do link up with the theme of the album. ‘Twilight of the Idiots’ is an ode to the time we are living in right now and ‘No Trial in the Dark’ is an ode to the future when everything mankind built starts to collapse. So both songs are basically about the world we are living in right now and the fact that we cannot sustain life the way as we know it without making huge changes. ‘Mono Freedom’ is a utopian-themed album and a fictional story about Mother Nature taking over the earth and how the last humans pack their belongings, build a rocket and head over to the nearest black hole.
How did the band start?
The band was formed in 2014 when Eetu, Eero and the previous drummer decided to start a band. They couldn’t decide who would play drums, so they both ended up behind the drum kits. After that, Laura and our friend Jarno joined the group. After a few years, Jarno decided to focus on his solo project Lac Belot and I joined the band. And finally, Mikko replaced the other drummer and here we are now.
You formed in Helsinki, what is the music scene like there? Where is the best place to go for live music?
The music scene in Helsinki is quite good, but very small. In addition to the major bands, there are a lot of indie bands playing shows every week all around the city. Also the great thing about the scene is that most of the musicians know each other and help each other out, so when you need some help with recording for example you have lots of people to call.
The best and most legendary place to go for live music is Tavastia in the city center. Opened in 1970, Tavastia is one of the oldest rock clubs in Europe and bands from all over the world play there. It is also THE place to dream about playing when you start a band.
Who would you say are your key musical influences as a band?
This is quite an impossible question to answer, because all five of us have different influences as musicians. But to sum it up, we are influenced by big drum sounds, noisy guitars, melodies and chaos.
Finland is known to be one of the darkest countries in the world, do you feel that has influenced you as a band?
It might have yes, both the long and dark winters but also the Finnish way of life influence our music. Maybe there is a recognizable melancholy in all of thesongs that's rooted in the times when the sun only shines for an hour a day.
Now the tracks are out there, what next? What do the next few months look like for you?
Well, we could have given a precise answer to this question a month ago, but now it's so hard to say anything. Because of the COVID-19 situation we have already had to cancel our record release shows in Finland and there is of course a huge amount of uncertainty not only in the music business but with all performing arts. At this point it's uncertain if we are able to play all festivals this summer. ‘Mono Freedom’ will be released on 18th September, so we are currently working on tour dates for the fall and hope to get back on the road as soon as possible, but only after we can be sure that it is safe to perform again without any concerns about the virus. But for now, we would just like to remind people to stay indoors as much as they can, wash their hands and be safe. This virus will be defeated, but we must do it together.