A Fresh Interview with Hollowed Sky
A new single release just dropped from Hollowed Sky, and this track definitely reaches into a cinematic and experimental alternative rock approach with brilliant time signatures and guitar work that are really driving but also intensely melodic, along with an almost theatrical overtone coming from those vocals and just the way the entire thing was put together.
"Death By Paper" is a very intricate track, and it still has a natural, forward-moving flow somehow. The song consists of several different parts that are put together, and the arrangement is really outstanding simply because it takes you through these stages.
Now, people interpret music how they want to. Each listener may take the song a little differently than the next.
For me, this song had a sentiment that was cut and dry, plain and clear, and quite impactful.
When I listen to the song, I hear a piece of work that is about the healthcare system and how there are people out there who have to suffer or even worse, and can't get the help that they need because of the costs.
We are controlled by financial overthrow in the United States, especially when it comes to healthcare, and there are way too many people who stare death in the face because they can't afford any other option.
The song is about getting thrown only a few options in your face when you're sick. It's about how you have to cover the cost of your care even when it's detrimental. If you can't, then you're going to owe for the rest of your life.
This is such an important sentiment, and the way that the band puts it lyrically is just beautiful because it's so in your face that you can't turn away from it.
It's a song that a lot of us, too many of us even, can completely understand, relate to, and connect with.
Hollowed Sky is one of the first bands I've ever heard release a track that is this charged with honesty and bravery in a long time.
Yes, I think it's brave to speak out and write songs about this kind of thing. This is something that affects people in real life.
Having said all that, the song is just genius. You have a few different sets of guitar tones. The track gets heavy and slightly grungy, with elements of classic late-90s and early-2000s alternative rock. There are riffs in there that are clean, and during those segments, the vocals follow those notes, and it all comes together feeling, yes, theatrical.
This is a song where the intensity comes in waves.
You can hear certain elements of aggression in there, but it's well deserved, and I love it.
As I mentioned before, some outstanding time signatures come into play; the entire band puts everything together like puzzle pieces.
They also perform in such a lively and sort of vivacious manner. There's a fire behind the performances here, not just vocally, but even the guitars, and everything else.
The bass guitar tone gives a low rumble to everything, and it helps a lot because it adds to the drive of the song itself.
I feel like the drumming is one of the most imperative aspects to making this song work and flow the way that it does.
Of course, add that drive, but it doesn't just sit in the pocket. It adds a liveliness and electric sort of energy to the entire thing, and I feel like a lot of the rest of the band has a particular way of pushing off of that energy.
The song definitely ventures into some metal, along with that heavy-handed alternative rock soundscape, including some great lead guitar work that adds an extra flavor to the song and its soundscape.
All in all, this is a track with a very particular aesthetic. It's a song that you pay attention to lyrically, and that aspect of it is very impactful. It's also a song that's a bit of a banger.
It's heavy but very melodically driving as well. Possibly even more melodically driving than it is, just heavy in general.
The vocals are through the roof. You are paying a lot of attention to those lyrics, as I said before, but when the song gets more intense, so does she. She really puts out what she wants to, and she's got such a robust and powerful sort of voice that it wraps itself around you.
This was such a great combination of edginess, heavy overtone, melodic presence, sonic drive, and messaging.
It's been quite some time since I've heard a track that brought those elements together so smoothly and naturally.
Don't get me wrong, you can tell there was a lot of thought that went into this song. That arrangement is just ridiculous, and even though it sounds like it would technically be difficult to perform, they do it with such a natural approach and aesthetic.
After digging into this single, I definitely wanted to chat with the band to find out where it actually came from and what is coming up for them.
So, while you listen to this track, have a read through of our interview with the band below.
Don't forget where you heard it first.
Let's talk about "Death By Paper!"! This song had such amazing time signatures and changes along with edgy and robust guitars and vocals!! Where did this track come from?
Berchielli: I came to practice with a set of rhythmically jagged guitar riffs, which became the riffs for the climax of the song; and another riff we jokingly referred to as the “Metallica riff,” which eventually became the riffs for the early parts of the song. Robyn’s lyrics were inspired by her experience working as a nurse.
Bradshaw: For this song the drums were recorded to a click, which we hadn’t done much before and it probably tightened it up a bit. I know it helped on a few drum rolls and transitions and not speeding up the climax end for me. Was a good learning experience as well.
Do you all write songs together, or do you have someone that writes most and brings it back to the band?
Berchielli: It varies from song to song. Most of the time I come in with a set of 2 or 3 riffs, and a vague idea of how they should be structured, then we play with them and jam on them in different arrangements to see what works best. Other times, I come in with a song that’s basically fully structured, and we jam on it together and refine it over time. Sometimes we simply jam and improvise with no real goal in mind, then go back and refine the best of what comes out of the jam session. We record all of our band practices to help with the process. We typically spend several months ironing out every nuance of the music, then Robyn comes in at the end of the process to add the lyrics/melodies, which completes the picture.
Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?
Berchielli: We record everything ourselves at our home studio(s), then send it out to be mixed and mastered by our friend Jeremy Hayes.
Are you all getting ready to drop something bigger soon?
Berchielli: Yes! We are releasing an album on January 30th called “When We Collapse!”
Are you performing live right now?
Berchielli: We haven’t been able to play as many shows over the past year as we would like, but we’re always looking for opportunities.
Now that this is out, what's next for you?
Berchielli: Once the album is out and has been promoted, we will refocus on recording more new music. We have the music for several new songs ready to go.
Who's in your headphones right now?
Rupertus: Baroness
Bingham: Haute & Freddy
Berchielli: Wolf Alice
Bradshaw: Mutoid Man
What would you tell people they can expect on this release?
Berchielli: “Death by Paper” doesn’t have a traditional pop song structure, and some of the rhythms are weird, but there is an ever-present rhythmic groove behind it all. My mind was blown by the lyrics, and the way it all came together once it was done.
As far as our upcoming album goes, “When We Collapse” is a product of all of our creative efforts over the past 3 years, or so. The lyrics deal with some very dark themes, and we’re thrilled about how the album sounds. We hope people will check it out!
Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
Berchielli: Thanks for listening to our weird little band.
