Chess Rivalry, Putting Small Things In Big Things & More Scenes From Holy Holy's 'Paint' Tour

Holy Holy are swiftly approaching the halfway mark in their considerable national tour in support of excellent new album Paint.

Although life on the go is pretty full-on, they've very kindly touched base during the run to give us an exclusive pic at what they've gotten up to on the road so far. 

The band continue their journey at Geelong's Wool Exchange tomorrow, 29 June, and keep truckin' through Melbourne, Hobart, Miami, Mooloolaba, Brisbane, Fremantle, Northbridge and Bunbury from there.

Check out their gallery and captions below, and head to theGuide to secure yourself a ticket to their remaining shows if you haven't already.

The tour forms a backdrop to one of the great chess rivalries. Tim and Graham are locked in a fierce battle. The games go for ages. They are locked at 1-1. I can only presume it also takes their mind off of the show and helps them find peace before we play. I can’t think of anything I’d like to do less pre-gig. 

Getting the stage ready at Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul (Wollongong). A beautiful room, and the first show on the tour. We really enjoyed that one.

What do all these cables do? With each tour comes a customary spaghettification of the pedal board. I spend time on it in order to a) look important whilst everybody else sets up and b) justify to myself the exorbitant size/weight/cost of my pedal board.

We are all standing around the luggage trolley, but Sam (short hair, necklace, thumbs up, next to trolley) did all the work. It is a delicate art — giving across the impression that you are doing a lot of heavy lifting but, all the while, ensuring that someone else does the work.

Backstage at the Factory Theatre, Sydney. Lying amongst four other men, with nothing but their breathing to keep me company. Not dissimilar to sharing a room with a pack of cicadas.

Ryan Strathie, drummer (clearly). In real life, he is nowhere near as frightening as he looks. A mild-mannered man — but he beats the shit out of the tubs.

No really good reason to take this photo. We did it because we were bored whilst they were packing the van (see below). AND, it is a yellow and black car. AND, our tour manager/sound engineer is called Nik. Simple pleasures.

It is rare that a pack goes by that is not a) borderline impossible and b) heralded. It doesn’t take much to make us feel proud and this is one of those things. Putting small things inside big things is our tour motto.

Back of the stage @ The Factory Theatre, Sydney. A special show for us. Nights like these are what we do it for.