Starting with what can only be classified as buzz-rock,
this quirky music takes an experimental turn with digital and analog
synthesizers, acoustic and electric guitars, programmed beats with
fleshy drums, and subliminal messages. Really, the music of D.W.
Holiday is mostly about the five senses working overtime - but even
more so about that sixth sense which allows you to SLOW DOWN.
As a band D.W. Holiday floats alongside the songs
they sing and play because they want their music to be noticed
first and foremost. Then, once you have injested the concept,
you will begin to filter through the music straight towards the
words - not just what they are saying but what you are hearing
(which internally is more than just text on paper). Soon, the
lush textures pop and fizzle like drums and wires crossfading
inside your head while the smooth 60's style bass lines buzz and
the synths hum back and forth from the left side to the right
side of your brain.
D.W. Holiday was formed in 1992 by Craig Clarke
and Daniel Crowell. Troy James became a major part of the band
in 2007, thus contributing to the ever growing WAVE. The real
question is this: Are they ON or are they OFF? Sometimes they
have to go too far only to show you that you haven't gone far
enough. Simple and yet Untouched. Hated by the closest but loved
from afar.
What else can be said? They are just men who enjoy music. Almost
as much as long road trips, living life, being indoors and out,
staying up late, laughing, and imposing opinions upon each other.
So please sit down on their couch and let go of all outside influences.
D.W. Holiday has shared the stage with Califone, The Besnard Lakes,
Oakley Hall, and Thee More Shallows among others.
Reviews for Fish and Flying Creatures:
"D.W. Holiday blossoms luminous like a deep sea jellyfish,
bringing together sumptuous orchestral pop with slightly twee
male vocals (a la Flaming Lips or Sparklehorse) and atmospheric
shoegazerly guitar washes (like Spiritualized or Jesus And Mary
Chain). So haunting and lovely!" - Aquarius Records, San
Francisco
"Fish And Flying Creatures (Three Ring Records) takes the
space rock Lunascapes of its predecessor and, if anything, spooks
it out even more. Not unlike Testbild!s merging of acoustic textures
and experimental electronica, D.W. Holiday make sounds like Plaid
on an Eagle lander listening to crickets frying on a Death Valley
rock whilst Sonic Youth tune up in the background." - Tangents,
UK
"As the title suggests, the album reeks of elements of nature,
with keyboards and synthesizers evoking the sounds of spring,
and organs ushering in the gloom of winter. But the album is far
more indie than new-age, incorporating the dreamy quality of Mercury
Rev and the light ambience of The Beta Band." - Kathleen
McCann, Urban Pollution
"I thoroughly enjoyed D.W. Holiday’s last release
Technical Difficulties, Under the Influence and this spacey atmospheric
follow-up is already making me crave more Holiday... Carefully
molding moody arrangements with heavy emphasis on space rock and
ambient soundscapes, D.W. Holiday employ rich organ sounds and
superbly constructed song arrangements... Cosmic re-alignment
has happened and it’s all D.W. Holiday’s fault."
- Smother.net, Editor's Pick
Reviews for Technical Difficulties,
Under the Influence...:
"The only thing experimental about D.W. Holiday is their
willingness to honestly explore musical moods, sounds, and lyrics
without the pretension of deep cosmic insight. Though we all experience
depression, D.W. Holiday packages it for us nicely in an easy-to-swallow
pill you'll be glad to take." - Performer Magazine
"While many rock-by-way-of-electronica bands in the Bay
Area tinker with ambitious samples and beats that make the music
danceable, D.W. Holiday take the route of those like Sigur Rós,
who stick to the mellow side of things..." - Stephanie Laemoa,
SF Bay Guardian
"At times it wants to veer into Spiritualized territory,
while others I had flashes of Ween passing before my mind's eye
(undoubtedly due to the vocals). There are some pretty things
going on here..." - Jason Thompson, PopMatters
"Cool headphone druggie rock with analog synthesizers, spaced
out guitars, tambourines, and smooth bass lines that sound as
if Roger Waters could have played them back in 1970." - Chuck
Gonzalez, Mesh Magazine
"Technical Difficulties, Under the Influence is a beautiful
space pop record that flows wonderfully and maintains a beautiful,
atmospheric sound. For newcomers to the genre, it will make for
a suitable introduction; for grizzled scene veterans, it will
be a breath of fresh air." - Matt Shimmer, indieville.com
“And that’s what really sets this album apart from
other entries in the “we’re a band, pay attention
to us” category of indie music: D.W. Holiday DESERVES your
attention… There’s nothing more to say about the album
than this: musically superior. Superb. Borderline brilliant.”
- Left Off The Dial
“It’s like a psychedelic journey through the landscape
of eclectic record collections that takes in Wire, early Pink
Floyd, Flaming Lips and Squarepusher… And as such it’s
of course highly recommended.” - Tangents UK
“I've listened to the album perhaps 6 times and still feel
pleasantly surprised at the transition of each song into the next.
Not that the thematic linkage between tracks is missing. There
is an innate and disconnected sadness that runs throughout all
their songs.” - Shmat
"Stick with what you know, goes the rule, and these space
rock veterans (been around since 1992) know, well, space rock,
slow like the Galaxie but even more like Floyd looking forward
to the next Plaid album. Admirably subtle texture changes are
their stock in trade – shifting from shag-carpet folk-rock
drums on one song to a ghostly, barely-there electro-tap on the
next, and hey, is that a trumpet?" - Foxy Digitalis
“D.W. Holiday delivers 9 songs which could be the soundtrack
to your stargazing evening.” - Mashnote
“Whether we like it or not the world is changing, and manipulations
of reality are part of that landscape. I just hope that music
can be more often done with the same tact and reverence of D.W.
Holiday.” - 8/10 Lost at Sea
“Truly a masterpiece… the only technical difficulties
here would be following up this dramatically incredible third
album.”
- Smother |
The Wave
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Lincoln
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Fog
of War EP
Prelude to Winter EP
Fish
and Flying Creatures
Technical
Difficulties...