Bright Antenna Records

Additional Details

Reuben Hollebon will release his debut album, Terminal Nostalgia, on May 20th, 2016 via Bright Antenna Records. Largely self-produced, the forthcoming, 12-track collection showcases cinematic textures to Hollebon’s indie-rock elements infused with intimate and vocal nuances. Lyrically, Terminal Nostalgia dips into themes of love, human existence, and melancholy, while the LP’s soundscape takes influence from Hollebon’s time as a sought-after recording engineer for Imogen Heap, Paul McCarthy, Basement Jaxx, Courtney Barnett and The London Symphony Orchestra. The LP’s leading single “Faces,” was mixed by Damian Taylor (Björk’s music director, Arcade Fire) and currently being spun on The Current and KCRW.

Tour Dates

May 10 Rockwood Music Hall New York
May 24 Baumhaus Bar Berlin
May 27 Le Pop-Up du Label Paris
Jun 7 Hoxton Square Bar London

Reuben Hollebon and his band graced the stage at Hotel Cafe last night for one soulful session. Reuben’s music is said to be similar the likes of Bon Iver and Keane (he reminded me a lot of Damien Rice), however there is something wildly new and inventive about his sound. He’s currently touring around promoting his debut album, Terminal Nostalgia (Bright Antenna Records), available May 20th. After Los Angeles he’s hitting up Rockwood Music Hall in New York (May 10th), then
heading back to Europe for the album release date.

Reuben hops up on stage notoriously barefoot, a statement that seems to symbolize his roots of the small coastal town of Norfolk, England, where he’s from. He picks at his tiny Martin guitar, looking like a defeated soldier who is wounded in battle but still has fight enough in him to save his fellow men. The lyrics of “Fields for Fields” seem to be expressing the desire to work on the land and to inhabit the feelings of being a farmer caring for the earth. There is nothing whimsical or fleeting in his songs, they are very grounded and pronounced with a delicate intimacy that is uncompromising and powerful. The audience is captivated and in awe of his presence and vocal ability.

In between sipping on his beer, Reuben interacts with the audience in a pleasant and subtle manner, introducing his bandmates who seem to be just as captivated by his storytelling as the rest of us. Probably his most-noted track “Faces” was up next, which has a more upbeat and lively pace to it. The lyrics hold true to the dark and thought-provoking theme of the evening.

The video to Faces is even more bizarre and leaves his audience to question just exactly where he wants to take you. Is it angry? Is it ethereal? Just who is this guy? He has an incredible buildup in his songs and surprising falsetto vocals that sound nothing less than a spiritual awakening. He’s said before “My sound is apparently unique, but to me it sounds like everything I’ve ever listened to.” He practiced a lot at a bar in Yorkshire with mates drinking beers with no mic, stripping away at any insecurities and just working on finding his voice. He loves music of the 90’s, Doves and Radiohead (specifically OK Computer) and that is apparent in his voice which has such an ethereal, grungy quality to it.

After two more songs (On and On, We’re Gonna) Reuben kind of chuckles and introduces the track “Haystacks”, calling it “Far too much of a true story”, with the repeated lyrics “I think that boy’s in trouble”. It makes you wonder if it’s merely childhood mischief or if there’s much more of a dangerous element involved. Is he going too far? Is he the victim? Maybe a victim of circumstance? Again keeping with the haunting yet incredibly heartwarming feel to the evening.
He finishes the set solo while his band stands off to the side of the stage to support.

I caught up with Reuben after the show, who excitedly voiced his enthusiasm about his label and being in the States. He talked of moving here and when I mentioned Los Angeles being a nice place he laughed “But there’s nowhere to run here!” He was such a polite and warm chap and I’m really looking forward to hearing what he comes up with in the future.