Makeshift Studios, Uncertainty & Falling Asleep At 'The Wheel': Holy Holy Take Us In The Studio For 'My Own Pool Of Light'

Holy Holy are on the brink of dropping their third studio album My Own Pool Of Light, which is due out this Friday 2 August. 

Here, guitarist and producer Oscar Dawson shares his take on the recording on the album along with vocalist Timothy Carroll. 

The group will be heading out on tour in celebration of the album throughout September, with support from Carla Geneve. 

Visit theGuide for all the info on dates, venues and tickets, and head here for find out more about My Own Pool Of Light.

Asleep At The Wheel

Sometimes you shut your eyes to enjoy the music, and if you really like it that much, you’ll nod off for a moment. 

Brain Melt On The Upside Down Bass

In a lot of instances on this record, I would be engineering and playing at the same time… which was a brain melter esp. when the instrument was upside down. You’ll notice in the background, Tim on his computer writing ‘lyrics’ (scrolling Facebook marketplace). In the background you’ll also see Aidan Hogg, in-house engineer at Plutonium Studios (Brisbane). 

Daylight

Tim, myself and drummer Ryan Strathie… we poked our heads out for some daylight. I didn’t enjoy it and went back inside as soon as possible.

Launceston Lookout

Pic by Timothy Carroll

In many instances on this record, we recorded in makeshift environments. This is a room that Tim was renting as an office space in Launceston and we had nowhere else to go to make music… so we did some work in there one day. Wasn’t ideal for recording vocals, with all the traffic noise down below but who cares, it was a nice feeling. 

Tim Watching My Back

Tim spent a lot of time watching my back on this record, literally and figuratively. Many hours were spent with him sitting behind me, away from the screen, which was good because he could then keep an ear on things from a safe distance. 

WTF in Jack's House

Pic by Timothy Carroll 

This is another of the semi-makeshift studios we worked in to make this record. This time in a friend's place in Launceston - Jack MacLaine from the band Sumner. I’m staring quizzically at my computer - it’s likely I'm internally raging at a software bug. 

Timmy Tinkles

Tim showing us who's boss at Plutonium Studios in Brisbane. 

Give Me Reverb Or You Die

This expression could mean any number of things. Likely I'm trying to give Tim what he wants to hear in his headphones, I’m failing… and he’s ready to quit the band.

Strath

Ryan Strathie at Plutonium. Best drummer you’ll ever record.

That Felt…

Making music feels scary and weird sometimes and Tim might have just tried something that he kinda likes but is unsure if anybody else will.