Hollands

Hollands

One might say that Hollands' songs unfold like stories from different, distinct moments in one's life - each a depiction of barely related memories and emotions. But when all heard together at once, they unfold like a surreal voice-over to a lifetime of dreams confined to a single night's rest.

Hollands is multi-instrumentalist John-Paul Norpoth and violinist Jannina Barefield. Together, they formed in February 2008 in Washington Heights, New York. Norpoth, formerly the co-lead of NYC-based Butane Variations, is the son of a classical flautist while Barefield is the daughter of Detroit based avant-garde jazz guitarist Spencer Barefield. Together, they combine fuzzy Flaming Lips guitars with Martin-esque orchestral arrangements and traditional folk nods to the Paul Simon's and the Grateful Dead's of years past.

The members of Hollands have lent their skills to other artist’s musical aspirations as well. Norpoth played on Akron/Family’s self-titled Young God Records debut and Your 33 Black Angels self-titled debut, while Barefield played on Akron/Family’s recently released, Set ‘em Wild, Set ‘em Free. She has also performed on stage with countless acts such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, Foxy Brown, and VH-1's Save the Music.

At times, Hollands sounds like a simple folk duo, plaintive and gentle, soft and free. At others, the band performs as a loud, brash, orchestral rock ensemble; employing cello, organs, synthesizers, electric and acoustic violins. In other words, they'll explore any means necessary to realize the most honest atmosphere and capture the diversity of each song.

Hollands' debut EP Faces, released in Fall 2008, was met with industry cheer at a release party at the prestigious Mercury Lounge. Their upcoming release, (Mother EP, due out in September) however, seems destined to spread the good word of Hollands far beyond the doors of the intimate NY nightclub, pour down the street past where East Houston Street meets West, and spill like a fresh water explosion into the salty Atlantic - free to be explored, consumed, and absorbed by music appreciators in every crevice across the globe.

Artist MySpace| Hollands - Over and Out.mp3

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