Doomed Confessionary: Zafar, Liam & Peter (Hollow Drifter)
Hollow Drifter is a heavy psych/prog/stoner rock trio from Amsterdam, Netherlands. The band’s line-up consists of Liam (vocals, guitar), Peter (bass) and Zafar (drums).
Initially founded and based in Amsterdam, Hollow Drifter has always been international, gathering musicians from all around the world, driven by a primal will of creation, experimentation, transmogrification, and a ravenous appetite for playing live. Surely a loud and amplified rock band, their shapeshifting skills allow them to turn their songs into intimate acoustic folk ballads full of woodwinds and vocal harmonies. This ability allows them to shine in a dark pub, a sweaty club, a sun-drenched festival, or a giant stadium.
Hollow Drifter’s second studio album »Devolve« will be released on November 1st, 2024.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Hollow Drifter plays psychedelic prog-drowned stoner rock. Venturing through protean songs, merging epic structures, complex rhythms and a powerful groove, we never forget to be heavy and raw. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath are obvious inspirations, though our music is nourished by many other artists, genres and influences. Tool, Kyuss, Battles, The Comet is Coming, Elder, Slift, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Thee Oh Sees…
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Maintaining a steady and creative work flow remotely between France and The Netherlands. Though the band was conceived in 2019 in Amsterdam, it’s been 2 years of remote collaboration when our guitarist and main creative leader Liam moved to the French countryside. Long distance relationships are hard, but because everyone is dedicated and professional, we’ve been able to make it work quite well. We just need to be strong communicators 🙂
What can you be most proud of so far?
Continuing the journey long distance is something to be proud of, since it asked us to adapt to a new working flow and requires stronger logistics, but we’ll always be proud of our first baby »Echoes Of Things To Come«. Creating the LP via a fully analog process from beginning to end has been educational and challenging. Our next baby »Devolve« is hopefully what we’ll be proud of very soon.
What was your biggest regret?
Filming a promo video during the pandemic without a clear vision of what we wanted or needed. Though everyone involved was professional, the process was frustrating, time consuming and never amounted to anything we were happy with. It was a humbling and learning experience for us. We now know to have a strong vision and roadmap before executing anything.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Hollow Drifter at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam 28th January 2023. It’s a great little club in Amsterdam and from the first note, the band, the packed room and our friend Feddo’s liquid light show all vibed for a spectacular evening. Just one of those nights that clicked on all cylinders.
The close 2nd is the inaugural Festigrange Baffignac. The festival is at a venue that is an old barn house in the foothills of southern France with animals grazing the hillsides under sprawling skylines. Absolutely beautiful scenery and venue.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
How thin the line separating a great night from a shitty one is. You may think tonight’s the big ass club or festival show you were planning for and yet, tomorrow’s gig in a dark and damp basement with no promo and no sound guy is somehow ten times better. No rules, no foresight.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Zafar: American Football / Angel Du$t / Caribou / Kris Kristofferson / Power Trip / Jeff Rosenstock / Thin Lizzy.
Liam: Maragda (who we played with, they’re sick !) / Earth Tongue / Castle Rat.
Peter: Opeth, Ni.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
“Always keep receipts!”
What are your guilty pleasures?
No guilt, no regrets. We love and hate everything equally.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is the world capital of EDM, so rock music is not appreciated as much as our EU neighbors. But being a cultural capital there is so much great music to absorb on any given night through a plethora of historic and modern venues. Great bands from all over the world roll through our small city as they enter and leave Europe. It’s an amazing place to perform.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Turned 2 Stone Fest in The Hague December 2024.
Promotional EU tour 2025 TBC.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Our 2nd LP »Devolve« release date 1st November 2024.
Promotional EU tour 2025.
Shooting & releasing video support for new songs.
More singles and working on a new album.
How can people best support your band?
Listen and share our music with your loved ones. We know there’s so much music in this world (good, bad, whatever), and one simply cannot have the time to listen to everything they wish to. Though, discovering that artist or that band you connect with, musically, aesthetically or thematically, is such a powerful and rewarding experience. We do hope that some freaks may feel the same about us. Also merch purchases at Hollow Drifter Bandcamp and venue and festival contacts who love stoner/heavy/doom/psychedelic jams are always supportive.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Try to enjoy life, despite all those mofos who make you hate it.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well