Artist Profile - The Holdup

     If you can't tell by the song links or tweets (@RegCon2016), we're pretty obsessed with The Holdup, and you should be too. Lead singer Mike Garmany's voice will pierce your soul or your money back, guaranteed. They combine reggae baselines with indie lyrical themes and pop-style beats. A quick definition of terms: When I see indie, I mean it in the cool way, not the white guys from Vermont playing banjos singing about how random they are/everything is. And when I say pop, I don't mean mainstream, because I would never diss The Holdup like that. They're the opposite of conformity, creating a genre all their own and paving the way for 21st century reggae.
 


So as you can clearly see from the picture, these guys look like full-fledged hardos channeling an early 2000's Eminem vibe. But don't be fooled: beneath their earrings, big-font t-shirts, and Sunglass Hut shades, these guys are talent manifest. In 2008, Garmany linked up with drummer Danny Flores and bassist Kyle Christensen, later joined by DJ and band manager Clev Stiles (clearly a made up name but well done Clev, very chill). They soon signed with Dub Rock Records and dropped their first album "Still Gold" which I assure you is still gold a million listens later. Personally, I recommend "Alone With You" "The Girls" and of course "Move On" is a favorite. But see for yourself:

And the great news is these guys haven't looked back since. With every song they get closer and closer to sniping you right in the feels via your headphones. "The Fighting Song" which came out just a few months ago is still being played on repeat on my Ipod. Check it out:

The lyrics to their songs are always honest and self-aware, enjoyable because of the shared experience of their audience. Like I said, don't get too hung up on those flat-brim hats and team-no-smile mentality. Flat out, their making good music, and if your not listening now, your never going to be ready for what they come out with next. So study up, here's a few more of my favorites: