Holloway’s “Illusions”
Mulligan’s
Oct. 17
10 p.m.
FREE

Holloway
Genre: Rock, Metal, Prog-Rock
RIYL: Tool, Coheed and Cambria, Porcupine Tree, The Mars Volta, Dream Theatre

Holloway released its epic, prog-rock concept album Illusions in March of 2009.  Well-received by rock/metal fans, Illusions received considerable attention for both the music and gloomy custom album artwork completed by area painter Susan Van Sant.

The trouble with concept albums in the live arena is that a band rarely has time to barrel through an album’s length of storytelling, and so the full musical journey is rarely completed outside of the album itself.  Holloway is remedying this situation Oct. 17, where they’ll play their entire album, front to back, at Mulligan’s Other Side.

Josh Morgan, guitarist and vocalist for Holloway, used his interest in paranormal research to craft the dismal tale of Illusions.

“A guy loses his girlfriend and attempts to resurrect her or contact her soul,” Morgan said.  “He tries all different occult things – everything from Ouija boards to incantation.  He essentially fails miserably.  He never finds her; he’s looking in the wrong place.”

He promises there is a more intricate ending to be figured out by the listener.  Morgan, a fan of concept albums, intends that all of Holloway’s albums following a plotline.

“It makes the album more cohesive and it gives you something to go with,” Morgan said.  “It’s like being a film director.  You make a complete film, and you make something different the next time.  It doesn’t have to be a repeat.”

Much like a film, Illusions has its share of climaxes and dénouements, moving from delicate piano work to pounding drums and screeching guitar and back again as the album progresses.
“If you’re into music, it’s definitely an emotional experience.  If you can grasp hold of how it’s played, it should move you,” said Shawn Julien, Holloway’s guitarist.

Illusions was mixed and mastered by Swedish metal engineer extraordinaire Jens Bogren, but recorded by Morgan’s brother, Josh, at Seaway Studios by only three members: Morgan, Josh (bass) and  Julien.  Since then, Holloway has picked up Kevin Schaner on keys and vocals and Rob Parkkonnen on drums, enabling them to recreate the album’s complexity live. 

“Live shows have lots of movement,” Julien said.  “We try to throw down as hard as possible and realize it’s a performance.  There’s never a dull moment.”

“It’s fun and it’s exciting,” Morgan agreed.  “We’re not a band that’s trying to sell you the song, we’re just playing a good song and playing it well and that’s all you need.”