BIOGRAPHY
HOLUS BOLUS, is the creation of multi-instrumentalist, Tom Boylan. Combining elements of pop, rock, funk, and reggae, Boylan conjours up a sound like no other. A fusion of contradictions, HOLUS BOLUS remains acoustic-based, but utilizes electronics…primarily looping.
The idea is to create live drum loops with a real drum kit, and use that as the foundation for the rhythm section along with live bass and percussion loops, then build from there. Thus HB creates live versions of songs crafted during the writing/recording process, in which Boylan plays all instruments. Early recordings utilized 4-tracks (2004 Simple Life, 2007 Inside The Shine). HB’s 2010 release, The Work Of The Ether, marks a leap forward in the HB sound, vision, and recording process.
This sound has been cultivated by Boylan’s wide-ranging influences, as well as previous projects he’s been involved with. In most collaborations Boylan has held the rhythm-end as drummer, formerly touring with Santa Cruz-based jamband Liquid Foundation, and currently as drummer for The Joint Chiefs of Stash. Born as a side project, Holus Bolus has been a way to add Boylan’s own rhythm section, himself, behind his guitar-based songs. After the recordings, came the idea of attempting to do all of those same songs live and solo…
It’s all still evolving with every new song….finding new ways to exploring the possibilities of combining songwriting and performance on all instruments “all at once”….as guitarist, bassist, drummer, vocalist, percussionist, and more….as HOLUS BOLUS.
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