Interview – Hollow Twin

By: Jordyn Meade-Baxter
Photo Credit: Elizabeth McLeod

Vancouver soul-pop band, Hollow Twin has been gearing up to release their second EP, ‘Keepers’, on April 28^th. Since forming a few years ago, Emmalee Watts and Becky Wosk transformed their duo into a five-piece band with the addition of Joanne Zoleikhapour, Matt Johnson and Mitchell Williams. To find out more about this band, check out the interview below.

What can you tell us about ‘Keepers’?

Becky: Keepers mostly an energetic album with a diverse range of influences and emotions. We recorded it with producer Winston Hauschild at Little Island Studio on Bowen Island. It was a magical experience.

Matt: Keepers is like a starting pistol, weird analogy yes, but accurate. There is a flare and a quick bang. It definitely brings together the five of us as a whole, plus Winston who may as well be our 6th man, he was remarkable to work with.

How does it compare to your previous EP ‘Noctuary’?

Keepers is much more upbeat and energetic. Noctuary has a much moodier feel to it.

Do you have any plans of touring to promote the new release?

We would LOVE to tour. No plans as of now, but we definitely have something in the works for the near future.

What is the writing process like for you? Is it one person or a full band collaboration?

It’s very collaborative. One of us will come up with something, bring it to the rest of the band and then we work on it all together.

Where does the inspiration come from for your songs?

Lyrically; personal experiences, dreams, significant emotions. Musically is also inspired by a well of all of the above.

Who are some of your biggest influences and how are they portrayed through your music?

Becky: We all have different influences that come through on a subconscious level. Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Bon Iver and the list goes on!

Matt: In modern society where every and all types of music is at the click of a button it is hard to nail down a couple influences because everything influences me! When I am writing my bass lines I think of work from latter day Flea and (hopefully) anything from Sir Paul McCartney, the harmonies they create with four strings is sometimes unspeakable. Just listen to the outro “Slow Cheetah” off the Stadium Arcadium album and tell me that isn’t a beauty line!

What is next for Hollow Twin?

We have local shows coming up, we will be playing some Vancouver Island and Okanagan shows. We are writing again and just continuing to work on getting our music out into the world.

The next few questions are fun ones for the band and fans, also a Canadian Beats tradition.

If you had to stop listening to all music except one song for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

Becky: This is SUCH a hard question! The first song that came to my mind was Jolene by Dolly Parton, I constantly have it on repeat. It’s just the perfect song to me.

Matt: I think the one that can be there for almost every situation imaginable is “Dreams” from Fleetwood Mac. I could slow dance to it, groove to it, drink to it, if there was every a groundhog day type situation where I was forever driving down the 101 at sunset you best believe it would be on loop.

If you could trade places with any musician who would it be?

Becky: Another hard one! I have to say Stevie Nicks because she is a goddess and a huge influence of mine.

Matt: Well I would definitely have to go with Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses. Here is a guy who looks like at any given time he’s coming from or going to a NASCAR event and he makes some of the most beautiful, soulful music of our time (He holds one of my favorite concert experiences but that’s a story for another time).

What is one thing you can’t give up?

Becky: Besides music; coffee. I’ve tried, it never works.

Matt: Well I guess saying music would be way too cliche, I think I would struggle to give up on my micro-brewery beer. Oh man there is nothing like bonding over some delicious pints from all walks of life with each one more unique then the last. Plus, you know, this beautiful city and being able looking over the gorgeous mountains and the ocean on a patio doesn’t hurt, but I’m sticking with craft beer as my answer, yum!

Is there anything you would like to add?

A huge nod to Winston and Bowen Island! We love him and we love it there.

We have lots of things in the works and hope you all stick with us!

Jordyn Armstrong

I’m an aspiring entertainment journalist from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and a 2017 graduate from St. Thomas University with majors in Journalism and Psychology.

Aside from psychology, my passion has always been for music and storytelling. It is my dream to be in the industry, and music journalism seems to be the perfect fit. Along with a bit of photography dabbling, I think I’m pretty well on on my way.

When I’m not working, I’m listening to music, finding new artists to love, playing Dungeons and Dragons, or playing with my cats.