Jammerzine Exclusive: An Interview with Holygram

In this Jammerzine exclusive interview, we just happen to catch a band at just the right moment. That moment when hard work and ambition begin to pay off and the fruits of the labor not only benefit the band but the ever-growing amount of fans. That band is Germany’s own Holygram.

Holygram is one of those bands in which, when they release an album, you really have to listen to it from start to finish in order to get even a partial scope as to what the band is actually about. Combing genres and styles seamlessly as a continuation of those styles, and not so much an homage, and infusing all of that with an unbridled amount of originality give Holygram the sheer amount of street cred that shows that they earn every fan and take them along for the ride.

Today we talk with Holygram’s frontman, Patrick Blümel, about all things Holygram, their origins, their new album titled ‘Modern Cults’, and their future plans.

Get your copy of ‘Modern Cults’ on Bandcamp and other major distributors. Check them out on VNV Nation‘s Noire tour (dates below).

About Holygram
German post-punk shoegaze outfit Holygram has released their long-awaited debut LP ‘Modern Cults’. Comprised of eleven tracks, this album is now available on CD and double vinyl, as well as digitally via Cleopatra Records. The band also just kicked off their North American tour with one of the biggest electronic bands on the planet, VNV Nation and Charlottesville, VA artist The Rain Within.

Holygram cleverly blends new wave and Krautrock with post-punk and shoegaze to achieve headstrong multi-layered bliss. This is a thoroughly contemporary homage to the sound of the ’80s with a resolute look to the future – the result is driving, dark and catchy.

Earlier, the band teased the singles ‘Signals’ and ‘A Faction’. Two years have passed since the Cologne-based outfit released their self-titled EP.

Produced by Maurizio Baggio, perhaps best known as the producer of The Soft Moon’s ‘Deeper’ and ‘Criminal’ albums, they recorded this LP at Cologne’s Amen Studios.

Holygram is Patrick Blümel (vocals), Sebastian Heer (drums), Marius Lansing (guitars), Pilo Lenger (synthesizers) and Bennett Reimann (bass). Formed in 2015, the band’s approach to making music references the past, while remaining future-oriented. Hard-to-combine elements cleverly come together to become the soundtrack of a city that appears threatening in the twilight.

The new album surrounds themes such as big cities, alienation, and anonymity, hope and memories, love and identity. These reflections interact closely with the band’s unmistakable signature sound. Atmosphere oscillates between the brutal sounds of the big city and the fragility of the people that lose themselves in it – intelligently observed scenarios of a world falling apart in which individuals have long ceased to play a leading role.

Last year, Holygram accompanied British synthpop legends OMD on their European tour and also played numerous festivals, including Mailfeld Derby, Wave-Gotik-Treffen and New Waves Day. Wrapping themselves in dense wafts of mist and cool lighting on stage, they’ve made quite a name for themselves on the live circuit.

LINKS:
http://holygram.band
https://www.facebook.com/holygram.official
https://holygram.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/holygram_band