ON JUNE 10, Alive Natural sound presented ‘Ride On The Train’, the debut albumbyNYC four-piece Hollis Brown that’s an assured selection of strong songwriting delivered with countrified rock ‘n’ soul panache.

The LP is steeped in the spirit of Nashville where it was made, with production duties from Adam Landry, known for his work with Deer Tick.

Hollis Brown are Mike Montali (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jon Bonilla (lead guitar) Mike Graves (drums) and Dillon DeVito (bass).

Classic rock with a New York state of mind, Hollis Brown are a throwback to an era when music felt fresh, songwriting was revered, and performances routinely inspired.

They’ve been playing together for a number of years, starting with Montali and Bonilla jamming together in their NewYork high school and then bringing Graves into the fray after seeing him perform at a shared gig.

The band was completed when Dillon (whomoved from Cleveland to NY) joined them.

The boys of Hollis Brown, all in their 20s, put their heart and soul into the album, but there were challenges along the way.

According to Montali, one of the hardest songs to perfect was the title track Ride on The Train.

The inspiration for the song came as he was riding the New York subway, listening to a Mariachi band playing nearby.

 

Andy Howells reviews Hollis Brown's Ride On The Train:

As far as debut albums go NYC four piece Hollis Brown’s Ride On The Train has to be up there with the best of them. Not only do they look like American rock stars, (their album cover reminiscent of the late 60s Beach
Boys) but they also sound like rock stars, (Canned Heat and The Band immediately spring to mind).


Tracks like Ride On The Train, Nothing & The Famous No One and When The Weathers Warm project a refreshing earthy live feel to the proceedings while Down On Your Luck could almost be a lost Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers track.


Sun kissed Americana with real passion and soul – one to watch and never to be forgotten.