Turin
Listen to our new work just released "Pop Culture"!
for more information -> https://www.facebook.com/hollyhocksindie
The Hollyhocks are an Italian band who formed in Turin in 2009. The band's debut work is "A place to hide" EP, released by TDMC Records on 2nd May 2011.
Their first studio album "Pop Culture" was released in Turin (IT) on 11th September 2012.
Formed by Mattia Pafundi (guitar/vocals/keys),Gianluca Sivieri (drums),Gianluca Ariotti (guitar/keys) and Giorgio Rinaldi (bass).
The Hollyhocks musical style has been described as dark yet uplifting, drawing comparisons to Joy Division, Depeche Mode, White Lies and New Order.
Sounds “The Hollyhocks” proposes are very particular: by one side the always more inflated rediscovery of the synthetics of the 80s and on the other side, the taste for daring and creative sound contamination. In particular the use of synthesizers deviates towards electronic sounds where the elegant analogical structures intertwine with the characteristic rhythms of the modern Indie scene. The New Wave influence is quite noticeable and the wide use of the effects of the guitars points towards Shoegaze. A particularly dark nature seems to characterize the way of writing of the band where the surreality of the texts and the uneasiness, which is marked in some passages, are clear recollections of Post – Punk. However the image is very close to the chic-minimal of New York underground scene with the style, as a complementary element to the music. Their concerts are an adrenalin rush characterize by the use of strobe lights, which tries to completely engage the viewer and turns a simple live concert into a total show.
After months of attempting to perfect its sound, the band played many lives in Turin and also around Italy. They won a lot of competitions and boasts many interviews on webradios worldwide.
In May 2011 the band released its debut EP "A place to hide".
With generally positive reviews and feedback, specially in Europe and central/south America, the band published their first video on Youtube "Absinthe", main track of the work.
After this little success the band decided to work on their first studio album and began to write new songs.
Meanwhile the band updated a live video, performing "Anthem for burnt youth" at Lapsus,Turin.
On 21st February 2012 it was confirmed that The Hollyhocks were recording their first album with the producer Giulio Placano.
The band provided the public with an update:"something is happening".
Two months later the band announced on the official website that they had already recorded nine songs and that the record will be released after summer. They added :"the sound of new work will be very electronic, dark and strong. It does not last long, about half an hour, but these 30 minutes will be meaningful. The album represents the essence of the band and we're very proud of this" and explained:"Something is happening is not the album name, maybe it will have no one, or all the names you want".
Afterwards the band updates on the web the official tracklist of new work.
During the summer the album was mastering in London and a short video was released to present the new upcoming work called "Pop Culture".
On 11th October was published the album cover with the collaboration of N.V. Karajan, J. Elevator and Valentina Miele.
One week later the first video "Drowning Boulevard" was released, shot in Sardinia (IT), which anticipated the album release.
On 27th November The Hollyhocks presented Pop Culture with a live session at Astoria, Turin. After the release party, came out a live video of that night while the band is performing "Animals".
After some troubles inside the band, Paolo Gallicchio decided to give up the project and The Hollyhocks remained with 3 components.
Pop Culture was positively received by critics and italian webzines, who noted the strong 80's influence on the sound of the band.
Some tracks of this album are available in free listening on Soundcloud.
They are currently working with a Dj on some new material which may either be part of a bootleg. One of the chosen song will probably be "Night Lights".
The · Hollyhocks’s tracks
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