BIO

Holloway began writing and recording their debut album at Seaway Sound Studios in Muskegon, MI in late 2007. After a grueling amount of time and toil, sessions finally came to a conclusion in the early winter of 2008. The resulting record - “Illusions” - is a powerhouse of modern rock, mixing progressive metal elements with more tangible pop arrangements and vocals.


The new album was recorded and performed by Ross Morgan (guitars, vocals, drums), Josh Morgan (bass guitar, programming), and Shawn Julien (guitars), with a few special guest players including Per Bergqvuist from Swedish metal act Closer. The album was then sent to Fascination Street Studios in Orebro lan, Sweden, to be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren, the metal guru behind bands like Opeth, Soilwork and Katatonia.


The group then sought out the help of world-renowned painter Susan Van Sant to complete the bands vision artistically. She, with the help of Morgan, created the artwork seen on the album, as well as an 11 page Lyric Book featuring an original painting inspired by each song on the record, which can be downloaded free from the bands website.


Officially released on March 17th, 2009, “Illusions” sets a new high for the individuals involved, and a new standard for the rock music scene. Completing the line up with the addition of a new drummer and keyboardist, the West Michigan based powerhouse is now set to unleash “Illusions” upon the world.


The group is currently working on the Music Video for the lead single “The Visitor” and will be touring extensively throughout the mid-west.


MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER CD.... Illusions is a full fledge sensory assault- featuring not only music, but film, photography, painting, poetry, prose, and online media. With each piece of the puzzle the overall concept becomes increasingly clear....

Holloway

interview by Nick Stephenson/Recoil Magazine

The song Holloway's Ross Morgan is most proud of from the band's upcoming debut album speaks volumes to where he and his band are these days. It's one he never could have recorded with previous projects. "The Current" is the rock ballad on Illusions. The first few bars begin like a piano concerto. Then the acoustic guitars and strings kick in, and Morgan sings of metaphorical imprisonment.

"Lost our humble sanction/counting scratches on the wall..."

Fans of the Morgan brothers' old band Avitus likely will look for the drums and electric guitars to kick in around the 1:08 mark. They don't.

"Your eyes turn grey as the current of life, leads you away."

In Avitus, Morgan said he felt he could only write one type of song and it didn't take long for him to tire of big, heavy rockers. Essentially, he got a few months into building a house, looked up and didn't like what he saw. So the band broke up.

Well, they changed names, anyway. Aside from keyboardist Kevin Schaner and a yet to be named drummer, Holloway includes the same lineup as Avitus. Josh Morgan returned on bass, and guitarist Shawn Julien came back, much to the brothers' surprise.

"We honestly didn't think he'd be interested in doing something else," Ross Morgan said. Julien jumped at the chance after hearing some of the material the brothers had been working on.

Lyrically, Illusions is a concept album based on real-life events from Ross Morgan's childhood and adult life.

"It's a story about a guy who loses his girlfriend, and he essentially gets trapped with finding her soul, contacting her dead soul," he said. "I want to look at each album as a movie – they don't all have to be the same thing over and over."

One senses that creative freedom is important to the lead singer, who lists poetry, photography, and solo projects as interests on his personal MySpace page. He added that he appreciates having an outlet for his pain, but quickly stated that he's a pretty happy guy, overall. While there is a relationship in his past that he looks back on with contempt, his mother's death after battling cancer in the late 1990s shows up most frequently in ways perhaps only he and his brother can identify. Surprisingly, he has no problem sharing these personal emotions on stage.

"As deep as it is, you can't take it too seriously," he said. "It's just rock and roll when you get down to it."

Avitus was a recording band first and touring band second. While Morgan said there are more venues available to his band to play than there were two years ago and he hopes to do more touring, their first priority is making a great album. The recording process collectively made them better musicians.

"It really forces you to examine your own playing – and your own writing, too," he said. Josh Morgan recorded the album, and Ross said he was thankful to have someone with enough patience to find perfection. The music is a collaborative effort, and no member of Holloway had any problem telling another something wasn't working (keyboardist Kevin Schaner didn't join the band until after the recording sessions).

"Every song that's on there, started out one way and kind of ended up another way," Ross Morgan said.

"The songs are more difficult; they're faster, they're busier, they're more guitar-driven, there are a lot more vocal parts. Just, in general, they're a lot bigger."

Illusions will be available on March 17. Check their website at www.hollowayband.com for a list of the stores that carry it.

March 2009