...William, It Was Really Nothing...I Want The One I Can't Have...Shelflife Records has put together another gem of a release with The Holiday Crowd. They will be releasing their debut on January 24th. I thought I’d change it up a bit and just show you what they have to say about themselves. I think it gives us a pretty good idea of what we’re dealing with in this band, so here you go:
The album title Over The Bluffs comes from a lyric in their song “Tiresome”, “I would have led you away from the alliance and over The Bluffs instead”, but in many ways it is an open love letter to Scarborough, Ontario, a notorious suburb of Toronto where lead singer Imran Haniff and guitar player Colin Bowers grew up.
“The whole mood of the record has a Scarborough vibe to it and it only seemed fitting to name it with an honorary nod to our old stomping grounds. Scarborough has so much stacked against it; it almost seemed like The Holiday Crowd needed to stick up for it. There’s more material lyrically to write about a place that’s tangible and misunderstood than writing about Narnia or Mordor,” says Haniff.
“anybody could tell, they didn't belong – belong to the early summer sun, the cool Whit sun wind off the sea, the holiday crowd.” Graham Greene- 1938 Brighton Rock - Toronto, and then the world, is about to take a holiday. Canada’s cultural centre form from the ashes of the city's nightclub-mainstays and their offshoot hangers-on. With their style, wit and musical eclecticism, The Holiday Crowd give proper nods to the once hallowed rock’n’roll ideals of cool, substance and jingle-jangle melody. Lead singer Imran Haniff, first met of the band’s guitarist-of-many-powers Colin Bowers in high school. Haniff was impressed with The Stone Roses T-shirt Bowers was wearing and that very day they developed a strong bonding friendship and songwriting partnership. With the addition of long time friend David Barnes on drums and newcomer Alex Roberts on bass guitar, the band was completed. It's taken some friendly shuffling. Barnes was initially brought in to try his hand at singing, but when the live-long moment came, the more soothing and wistful vocals of chief Holidayer Haniff couldn't be ignored. Self described as minimal and stripped-down, The Holiday Crowd's sound/lyrics arise from all manner of experience- summer afternoon camaraderie’s, introspective reveries and a few shapely ‘inspirations’ along the way. Smear the lipstick! From their haircuts to their shoes and with a nonchalant, but forceful attitude, the band truly ‘send’ the listener. This year, the group are embarking on their first live dates spreading joy into your hearts and injecting a skip into your step, it’s The Holiday Crowd!
