Having just released their brand new album Strange Times this morning, Los Angeles-based psych pop trio Hollow FortyFives – comprised of Lucas Renberg, Brett Incardone, and Travis Corsaut – is revving up to play their album release party tonight at The Troubadour. Which means they have absolutely no time to bask in the glow of their work and treasure the audience response, as they’re focused on what’s to come with the entirety of the week still to unfold.
Luckily, we got a hot minute to catch up with them to find out the inspiration behind their work as a whole, the album you’re probably about to listen to on repeat, as well as to poke and prod them with silly little questions that give us peace of mind. Check out our words below!
What was your first musical memory? Did it have any bearing on how you respond to or create music now?
Lucas: Listening to a Beatles cassette that my Uncle had made for me. Then seeing some footage of The Who play live, after that i knew i had to play music.
Brett: Driving in my dad’s car and asking him who the band was on the radio. Also, asking my brother which instrument was playing and him teaching me the different sounds.
Travis: Being taught to play the guitar by my uncle. I quickly gave up and when I got a drum set 5 years later was forced into lessons. I really grew to love it.
Where do you believe you pull the most inspiration from for your work?
Lucas: A big chuck of it comes from the music I listen to and care about, My two favorite songwriters are John Lennon and Bob Dylan. The rest i would have to say come from the way I see the world. Anything can spark a song.
Brett: My biggest inspiration for lyrics would be the people I’m surrounded by whether it be friends, family, or even strangers. For music, simply, it can be bands I like, a riff I hear, or something that just grabs my attention.
Travis: I’d have to say that Lucas and Brett are my biggest inspirations in writing.
What inspired the track “Return Ticket” specifically?
Lucas: “Return Ticket” came about from the feeling of wanting to leave and get away. I live in this paradise that is California, but it’s a huge world out there. Always nice to take a look around, and no need to fear when you have a return ticket back home.
Your album is finally coming out, and we are so excited about it. What was the process for creating this album like for you guys?
Lucas: It was great writing the album and giving these songs the treatment they deserve. As a band it was our first time not recording ourselves, which was a whole new experience itself. We didn’t have to worry about mic placement or levels, we could focus on just playing the songs. And that really helped us grow as a band.
Brett: The process was very fun and smooth. The creative process was an absolute blast to be a part of and recording the album was a lot how I had hoped it would be: lots of late nights, laughs with my band mates, and excitement for being in a professional setting.
Travis: It was eye opening creating this album. The most important part for me was seeing how the songs had grown into something we’re all really proud to show you.
How do you imagine people listening to this release in its entirety?
Lucas: In a smokey room, either laying on a carpet floor or dancing away as the music flows out the speakers.
Brett: Driving in a car on a nice, sunny day, windows down with a cigarette in your hand.
Travis: When you listen to this song, I want you driving to Joshua tree in the rain with one hand out the window. If your friends are awake belt it with them and if they’re asleep wake them up by belting it. Noise is for the boys.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Lucas: As a kid i was obsessed with Robin. So it would have to be Robin! He’s got the bat bike and is the only one I know who can question Batman.
Brett: Spiderman because he’s been my favorite since I was a kid, I’ve always loved Spiderman stories, and no matter how tough his life gets he always finds a way to overcome his struggles. Besides, who wouldn’t want to swing from skyscrapers?
Travis: Captain Planet, let’s strive to always improve this world guys.
If you could collaborate with any artist on any medium, who would you choose and what would you make?
Lucas: I’d love to be able to do a split single with my favorite current musician Tim Presley of White Fence.
Brett: Co-writing an album with Jeff Tweedy at the Wilco loft. It would be the craziest thing ever.
Travis: I want to do covers of the Barenaked Ladies with the ghost of Buddy Holly.
Cats or dogs? Substantiate your claim.
Lucas: Dogs who act like cats and cats who act like dogs. Best of both worlds.
Brett: Dogs. I had a cat once when I was a child, but she was a demon. Now I’m not saying all cats are evil, but I have a dog now and he is an absolute angel.
Travis: Cats AND dogs, lil cuties are a damn blessing.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Lucas: Keep living life between the headphones.
Brett: Tip your bartender.
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Strange Times is out today and will be available here. Be sure to catch them at their album release show TONIGHT and keep up with the band here.
Since I am gearing up to release an album called Hangover Music, I decided it was only right to put together a playlist of songs about alcohol by some of my favorite drinkin’ artists (and a few by me!)
Like “Hangover Music,” this multi-genre collection of songs explores all the facets of the relationship between artist and booze: the fun times, the dark times, the messy times and the head-pounding hangovers. Alcohol doesn’t always make for a productive next morning but it sure makes a damn good song!
Progressive metal/hard rock genre is always considered to be very niche and always about screaming vocals, and I have always believed otherwise. I feel that it should expand to many ears. It has everything! So I came up with this list to show what I consider are the best qualities of this glorious modern sound. Heavy riffs, melodies, complex rhythms, hooks, amazing production….Would love to know how people feel about this genre after listening to some of these bands. all of these bands have influenced our writing in some way.
So remember how the internet used to be the most righteous place? Well, sometimes inboxes get crowded – or worse, your inbox flags your friends as spam. Our friends Gus McArthur created such a badass playlist for us many moons ago, and we’re just now able to see it. So if you could forgive us for our massive mistake for just a moment, you’ll begin to see a pretty amazing theme throughout this “Christmas” playlist. If you’re in, we’re in.
Says the band about the playlist:
When you need energy and excitement from all the sappy Christmas music and just want to head bang the day away. On December 24th, 1988 Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde hosted a special Christmas edition of the Headbangers’ Ball featuring some of the top artists in rock and heavy Metal. This is our 2017 homage to Ozzy and Zakk, this time its just Honan and Gus, but we tried to be as diverse in selection as they were or MTV made them be by picking the songs. We highly recommend watching the episode, its kind of hilarious.
Folks always ask me ‘what do you listen to Jackie?’ and I can never answer their question. I don’t believe in genres, I believe in great music and I think confining oneself to playing or listening to only one genre is dooming oneself to a life of monotony. Here is my super random playlist of songs I love that I have listened to all throughout my life.
africa – toto
come around – marc broussard
maggot brain – funkadelic
multiply – jamie lidell
soul rebel – bob marley
shade of a shadow – teitur
addicted – amy winehouse
unthinkable – alicia keys
defying gravity – Wicked
young blood – the naked and famous
to zion – lauryn hill
retrograde – james blake
waltz between eva and che – Evita
As an African-American woman, when I say I write and play “roots” music, too often folks assume I only play blues. Though I love blues, black folks in America have created a variety of “roots” music — blues, gospel, folk, bluegrass, spirituals, country — since arriving on slave ships 400+ years ago. Africans brought with them traditions that became early forms of the banjo and certainly through the 19th and early 20th centuries, banjo and fiddle were mainstays of African American music. I’m inspired by the renaissance interest many Americans have in roots music, including that made by African Americans, and the new “old” music created today. This movement along with the music I make inspires me to explore the great music that came before. I’m awed by how sounds of yesterday influence what we hear and make today. I decided to focus on black women because much of their roots music is less known and so hopefully listening to this playlist will promote music discovery. The playlist features the famous, aspiring and obscure — those no longer with us and those pushing every day the envelope of how we define roots music. Enjoy!
Part of my writing process is listening to countless hours of music.. Here are some of the songs that inspired “Midnight“. This is the perfect soundtrack for your rainy days and late night drives, filled with songs that combine the best of lofi and r&b vibes.
A few of the songs included are by some of my close friends, like “I’m Sorry” by Swell (feat. Shiloh) & “simple things….” by idntrmmbr.
“Midnight” is available now. Keep up with Jordan Andrew here.
As much as I do believe there are several wonderful things about winter, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to wrap it up. Let’s just fast forward to summer. Here are some songs that will make you want to cruise in a convertible with the top down on a sunny day. They also are songs that have been inspiring me to write some of the music that I will be releasing this summer.
playlist:
1. Stepping Stone by John Splithoff
2. Beach Side by Kings of Leon
3. Tequila by Dan+Shay
4. Hawaiian Air by Friendly Fires
5. California by U2
6. Shock of the Lightning by Oasis
7. Girlfriend by Anderson East
8. Red Flag Day by U2
9. I Want To Go Surfing by The Drums
10. Holy Mountain by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
11. Higher Higher by Justin Timberlake
12. Sit Next to Me by Foster The People
