Interview: Hollow Coves Talk Authenticity and New Tour

Written by Lade Onamusi

In the world of indie folk, Hollow Coves stands as a beacon of authenticity and musical prowess. The Australian duo, renowned for their ethereal melodies and heartfelt lyrics, has once again graced us with a new release that promises to leave an indelible mark on the genre. In an exclusive interview, we had the privilege of sitting down with Ryan Henderson and Matt Carins, the talented minds behind Hollow Coves, to delve into the intricacies of their latest musical endeavor. From the inspirations that breathed life into each note to the emotions they hope to evoke in their listeners, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the creative process of a band that continues to capture hearts around the globe. Through our conversation, we journeyed through the realms of their latest release, unraveling the stories and sentiments that lie within.

Lade: Can you tell us a bit about Hollow Coves and how this duo came to be? 

Matt: It was kind of  pretty innocent from the beginning. We never really wanted to or thought that music was gonna be a thing that we would end up doing. We just had some songs that we had written together and we thought, yeah, it'd be a cool like little project to record them. And we ended up recording with our friend who was studying to be a producer, and he needed a portfolio. We put them on Soundcloud, and there was just like all this buzz and hype around it. Blogs picked them up, and that's kind of where it all started. Before that, Ryan was an engineer, and I was a carpenter.

Lade: It's interesting how you both changed direction. You just put out music, and it was received so well. What was that first moment where you felt like, “Okay, maybe this could be a lucrative thing, change what I'm doing in life?” 

Matt: Yes, it was a weird one because at the time, we were both traveling. Ryan was in Canada, and I was in Europe, and I don't know. We didn't really overthink it too much; it was more just like, “Oh this is a cool opportunity.” When we first put out those songs (Wanderlust EP), it was like we had no expectations, and then all of sudden, one of the songs was getting like 50,000 plays a day. And we're like, “Where's this coming from?”

Lade: So pivoting back to your music a bit, it seems like your music is associated with nature a lot. I wanted to know how your background and where you grew up influenced your songwriting and your sound?

Matt: I think we've both always loved traveling. I think it's Australians. So many people travel internationally, and it seems like there's always Australians across the world… [With how] laid back and how beautiful it is, we naturally just want to explore and go on adventures and stuff, so, I think that's just generally in our blood here. 

Ryan: I think as well like growing up on the east coast of Australia, surrounded by so much beautiful scenery…Regularly doing road trips up and down the coast. It's just something that is so, just a part of us. And so, when we came to write music, our lived experience just came out into the songs. Whereas, I think if we'd grown up like in a city, surrounded by concrete, probably different songs would come out.

Lade: Who are some of your musical influences? 

Matt: Definitely into early Ben Howard. We both really like Sufjan Stevens. Angus and Julia Stone were an early inspiration as well. People are reminded of a little bit of like Simon and Garfunkel when they hear our voices together. [An] obvious one would be Coldplay. Especially some of the new songs on the album. But yeah, I don't know. There's probably plenty of others like a little bit of Radiohead creeping in on a couple songs. 

Lade: In “Harder to Fake It,” I was wondering if you could take us through your creative process a little bit. You have some very powerful messages conveyed in your songs. What did you want the audience to feel and understand when they heard this song? 

Ryan: We were just kind of hitting a wall. I had had this idea that was kind of sitting around in the back of my head that I was like, I'll just play it. And see if anyone says anything. And so.. I played it, and straightaway Matt Corby was like, “What's that?” He was like, “Let’s work on that.” And I was like, cool. Okay. 

Matt: This guy Alex Hendrickson came up with this melody, and the way we've written [it]… sounds natural come out of your mouth when you're humming a melody. You kind of put words to how the words would sound. Comparing it to the hum, it has the same vowel sounds. So we kind of put random words together, and originally, it was just like a bit of gibberish that didn't make any sense. The meaning of the chorus doesn't really make sense to us, and some people don't care about that. There's just an emotion in words. Bon Iver is a great example. [I] don't even know what he's singing about, but so many people are drawn into it. 

Ryan: The concept behind the song was this idea [that] a lot of people can get caught up in the scene that they're in or the group that they're hanging out. They let their life or their decisions be influenced so much by the people that they're around…We want to inspire people to step out and be their own person. Not just conform to a scene or follow.

Lade: Great message. I feel like all of your songs are just very inspiring and lighthearted, and it goes with these earthy tones of the sound that comes out of Australia. Where were you mentally and emotionally while making “Harder To Fake It”? Where was your mindset while writing? 

Ryan: I think we were, for maybe the first time in our writing career, we were very open to just trying new things. I don't know, we're just having fun just like let's make some music…It was like, Oh, we got plenty of songs. Let's just see what happens in this session. So it's like it's pretty relaxed, and I think we're kind of excited. But Matt Corby's a pretty well known name here in Australia at least. And we're just excited to get the opportunity to write with an artist like that. 

Lade: What do you feel are the themes that come up when you're writing? What themes resonate with you? 

Ryan: A lot of what we've been writing lately is just trying to help people see,and maybe even to help ourselves see, the positives. I think perspective is such an important thing in this life. 

Matt: I think, in a way, we’re that type of people. We want to love on people and not judge them. I think in our lyrics we want to write about that.

Lade: You began your 2023 tour this past week in Auckland. How was that? How was the energy at the show? And did you play “Harder To Fake It”? 

Matt: Yeah, we played “Harder To Fake It” and another single which is gonna be coming out next month. It went really well…It’s the first show since the song came out, so it's cool to see. We didn't really know what to expect, and as soon as we started playing “Harder To Fake It,” a bunch of people started jumping up and down. We were like oh, this is sick. People are loving it, and I think it's cool as well. The energy in the room was really good. 

Lade: When people go to your live shows, what are a few words you would hope they experienced when they went to your show. 

Ryan: Uplifting. Wholesome. 

Matt: It can get a bit cute sometimes. There’s people laughing in points and the same person crying at another point.

Lade: Are there any specific tracks from your discography that are your favorite or hold a special place in your heart? 

Matt: My one would probably be the first track on the Moments record. It’s called “Anew.” That was the time we realized, before we wrote it, that music has such an impact on people's lives. 

Ryan: I think same for me. Particularly the whole first section of that song lyrically is like my favorite.. just the way it progresses. Something happened in the moment. We were writing, and it just all kind of spilled out.

Lade: Do you have any particular message that you hope gets to your listeners?

Matt: Just thanks for listening. We really appreciate each and every one you, and we hope to see you someday at a show.

As my conversation with Ryan and Matt of Hollow Coves drew to a close, it's clear that their music is more than just a collection of notes and lyrics; it's an embodiment of genuine passion and a sincere desire to connect with their audience. From the sun-soaked shores of Gold Coast to stages around the world, their journey is one of authenticity and artistic evolution. It's evident that their latest release “Harder To Fake It” carries a message of individuality and the power of positive perspective.

As they embark on their 2023 tour, Hollow Coves will provide a musical experience that is uplifting, wholesome, and deeply moving. Their songs, whether evoking laughter or tears, resonate on a personal level, reminding us of the profound impact that music can have on our lives.