Biography
The Gothenburg, Sweden based psychedelic rock combo Hollow Ship returns with Animated Music, a new four track EP and the follow-up to their acclaimed 2020 debut LP Future Remains. Starting off as an improvisational collaboration between multi-instrumentalist and producer Thomas E. Frank and guitarist Vincent Vensal, the core of Hollow Ship’s music has always been based around the interplay between its various parts, with a looseness and playfulness to its sound coupled with expert musicianship.
Formed in Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast the band took their first steps during 2019, releasing the debut 7” We Were Kings as well as touring both at home and around Europe. With the release of Future Remains, which was praised by the likes of Prog Magazine, Shindig! and Raven Sings the Blues, the band quickly gained a cult following despite having to cancel all touring plans due to the album being released mid first wave of covid, with word of about the band spreading around the world.
With the band’s unique rhythm-driven psychedelia, with influences from jazz, avant-garde, hard rock and bands such as Los Jaivos, Vangelis and Motörhead, at the forefront Animated Music pushes the band further into the instrumental realm than before, anchored by the rhythm section of long-time drummer Mårten Magnefors alongside incoming bass player Donovan von Martens. A cinematic journey over the space of 20 minutes, the music was originally written for the band’s Space Motion show, a live collaboration between Hollow Ship and visual artist Freddy Wallin, before being finalised into the shape of the Animated Music EP.
“The basic tracks were recorded live in just one session last year, using an eight track tape machine. We wanted to keep it raw and simple with everyone playing together in the same room. Our aim was to find pure energy, the feeling of a band going to the studio for the first time. Not overthinking it.” says Frank.
Animated Music showcases the band’s instrumental storytelling at great effect, further establishing the band at the forefront of the Swedish psychedelic scene alongside luminaries such as Dungen and Goat, while also bringing to mind international contemporaries such as Boogarins, Khruangbin, Kikagaku Moyo and Tame Impala.
Animated Music is due out on May 31 via Swedish indie label PNKSLM Recordings (7ebra, Chemtrails, ShitKid etc) on limited edition splatter vinyl and digitally.
Over the past year the band has also been putting the final touches to their upcoming second full-length, due out in the winter, so expect more from Hollow Ship soon.
Contacts
Press: press@PNKSLM.com
