Bell Hollow

Bell Hollow

from left to right: Christopher Bollman, Todd Karasik, Greg Fasolino, Nick Niles
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres Dream pop
Post-punk revival
Alternative rock
Years active 2003–2009
Labels five03 Records, RCRD LBL
Associated acts The Naked and the Dead, The Children's Zoo, The Secret History, My Favorite, Lubricated Goat
Website www.bellhollow.com
Members
Christopher Bollman - bass
Greg Fasolino - guitar
Todd Karasik - drums
Nick Niles - vocals, keyboards, guitar
Past members
Hayden Millsteed - drums (2003-2006)

Bell Hollow were a four-piece band based in Brooklyn, New York, composed of Nick Niles (vocals/keyboards/guitar), Greg Fasolino (guitar), Christopher Bollman (bass), and Todd Karasik (drums). The band's music is often categorized as a blend of atmospheric 1980s post punk and dream pop. The band's influences included The Chameleons, The Smiths, Radiohead, Cocteau Twins, The Comsat Angels, Slowdive, and Echo & the Bunnymen.

The band's songs and live show won over several reputable publications, including The Big Takeover,[1] The Deli, and New York Press, as well as Post-Punk.com and veteran UK music journalist Mick Mercer.[2] Bell Hollow were interviewed on several New York radio stations, including East Village Radio and BreakThru Radio, and Detroit podcast "Most People Are DJs." Over the course of their career, Bell Hollow performed with New Model Army, Bush Tetras, The Prids, Longwave and Lene Lovich, among others.[3]

Contents

History

Bell Hollow was formed in 2003 by Fasolino and Bollman, both members of influential 1980s NYC outfit The Naked and the Dead, who had briefly reunited during 2002. In 2005, singer Nick Niles joined the band, filling out the sound and solidifying their direction. Along with original drummer Hayden Millsteed (also a member of Lubricated Goat), the band recorded their first EP, Sons of the Burgess Shale, freshly signed to five03 records.

In 2006, Todd Karasik (formerly of acclaimed NYC indie-pop band My Favorite, and also a member of The Secret History) replaced Millsteed. In 2007, the band released their first proper full-length record, Foxgloves, recorded by producer/engineer Hillary Johnson, who soon became the band's live keyboard player (and eventually, manager).

Bell Hollow toured the Southeast and Midwest during 2008. That summer they signed with online music purveyors RCRD LBL, releasing five free remixes from Project Jenny, Project Jan, hip-hop producer/remixer Phofo, Nine Inch Nails remixer Halo33, Cruel Black Dove, and Peter Du Charme (aka Master Cylinder, of "Jung at Heart" fame). "Copper Crayon (Project Jenny, Project Jan Remix)" was featured in the NBC television series Kath & Kim.[4]

The remixes were packaged with three outtakes as digital-only EP Foxgloves Extras, released in December 2008. Vocalist Nick Niles departed at this time in pursuit of other musical endeavors, but it was not until February 2009 that Bell Hollow formally announced its dissolution, citing Niles' departure as the reason.

Discography

Albums

  • Foxgloves (2007) five03 Records

EPs

  • Bell Hollow (2005) self-released demo
  • Sons of the Burgess Shale (2006) five03 Records
  • Foxgloves Extras (2008) five03 Records/RCRD LBL

Compilations

  • "Contact" on Dots to Connect: The Music of The Prids (2009) five03 Records
  • "The Bottle Tree" on Gothic Compilation 43 (2009) Bat Believer/Audioglobe

References

External links

Interviews/Reviews