Hollowphonic is an ambient, space-rock musical collective from the Canadian city of Mississauga, Ontario. The outfit, founded by Brad Ketchen in July 1996, has performed at various notable events, including the Canadian Music Week and North by Northeast festivals.
Hollowphonic has also opened for a variety of acts, including Manic Street Preachers, Low, Super Furry Animals, and Los Campesinos.
Hollowphonic first began in 1996 as the name 'Hollow'. After Brad recorded a 4-track demo, he began recording songs (all in the key of D) at Rob Sanzo's 'Signal To Noise' studio with assistance from James Cavalouzo (Malhavoc) tweaking the effects on 2" inch tape. Brad further worked the tracks into a couple of songs that appeared on the first release 'Phonic 50 mg'. The first being 'Sertraline' and the second originally appearing on a split Modernation release with 'More Plastic' called 'Happy'. The drums from the latter were reworked into a song called 'Time Is All I Need' on 'Phonic 50 mg'.
'Phonic 50 mg' was recorded and remixed at Brad's studio, Pharmasound, after further sessions with Rob Sanzo. Tom Bartnick created the electronic element and the band went from a stoner/space rock sound to a full out Electronic space rock shoegaze bliss. The record, released in June 1999, was not shopped around but was approached by a new label called 'Sweet Tooth Recordings'. Brad enlisted a barrage of musicians to back him up live. Some of these included members of Escalate, Vulcan Dub Squad, Speedway, Crystal Castles, The Uncut and Old Soul.
During the release of the second record 'Majestic' in 2002, Brad played bass in the post Southpacific group 'Summerside'. Brad then joined the band 'Bluescreen' playing guitar while writing, producing, recording and playing live with his Electronic/idm side group 'In Support of Living' scoring Feature length films and collaborating with Portland, Oregon, Film Director Rob Tyler.
Hollowphonic has not been seen or heard of since except for a few random gigs including a 4 song set for the Toronto Spacemen 3 benefit gig for Spaceman 3/Spiritualized record sleeve designer and artist, Natty Brooker, December 4, 2010 enlisting John Henley ('The Endearment' from Montreal) on drums and Erik Culp (Ambisonic) on bass.