Left to right: Josiah Holland (bass), Tim "Yogi" Watts (drums), Will Holland (vocals, guitar)

Given the mass production and over commercialization of modern-day alternative rock bands, one might dismiss Holland as just another cocky, loud-mouthed new band of upstarts, angling to be the new flavor of the week. Nothing could be further from the truth with this humble trio from Texas. Produced by indie rock staple Aaron Sprinkle, their full-length debut, Photographs and Tidalwaves, has an aggressive alternative rock base with the tendency to dabble in melodic pop that crosses the styles of the Foo Fighters and Superdrag. Brothers Will and Josiah Holland share some of the thoughts and stories behind their accessible words and music:

Did you guys always have a passion to make music together while growing up?

Will: Josiah started playing in bands first. I really looked up to him, and he got me into music. Even when I was young I always wanted to play music and saw myself eventually in a band with my brother. We finally teamed up together when all of our other bands fell apart.

We played in many different contexts over the course of the tour — it would be a club one night, a big festival the next day, and a church or a theater the next day. I think performing in front of many different audiences really helps a band hone its craft and hone in on what it's all about.

What was a major defining point for you as collaborators?

Josiah: Probably when we moved to Nashville. We were hard and gritty back in Texas, but after the move we tried to clean up and write songs we could play and enjoy listening to, but that were more polished.

What was your sound focus on Photographs and Tidalwaves?

Will: We were kind of shooting for a mature pop/rock record that wouldn't really be set in with lots of genres out today. We're not saying that we're the most original band in the world, but just that we want to appeal to everybody with a strong melodic rock sound.

What bugs you most about the modern-day music scene?

Josiah: I guess there's always genres and fads. In Christian music a few years ago there was ska. There were great ska bands, but they all came out at the same time. They all sold records, which is cool, but fads like that tend to go away. Right now we're just trying to stay away from the whole emo thing, and I don't feel like we fall in with any of those bands. I'm not trying to judge other artists' hearts because they're in with something popular. I think those people can make music and truly love doing what they're doing. It's just that we wonder 'why does everything have to sound the same these days?'

Your audience seems to be primarily the same age as you. How does that play out in your interaction with fans?

Josiah: It's cool, because with our band what you see is what you get. We're not a super huge band, and, you're right, these kids who go to see shows aren't much—if at all—older than us. It works, because if we're singing about something like grief or perseverance or something real to us, it's probably real to them as well. The band is a representation of who we are. These songs come from the seasons of our lives, and we try to be as honest as we can.

Do you ever feel as though there's a lack of honesty in Christian music?

Josiah: I wouldn't say a lack of honesty. The thing about Christian music is that many times we tend to focus on a certain aspect of God or sing about all the good things and we forget to sing about the hard times that happen in everyday life.

"Losing Jim" off the record is certainly a great example of that. Would you mind sharing how losing your friend in a car accident affected you?

Will: My mom woke me up and told me the morning it happened. I personally believed it, but it was really weird. You can't start dealing with it right away. It's a reaction of shock, but it's just real weird and emotional those first few days. A lot of people who've experienced the same thing have been able to really relate to the song.

While we're on the subject of life lessons, I've heard another inspiration for you guys has been working with special needs kids. Tell me a little bit about that experience.

Will: When we were in Texas we worked with Downs Syndrome kids. We also looked for work in Nashville where we can help when we're not on the road. So now we've both got consistent jobs assisting in special-ed classes, and it's been awesome—kind of a mix between fun and challenging.

I imagine you guys are really humbled and touched by that experience.

Will: We sure are, and we've learned a lot of life lessons, such as patience and pure compassion. Jesus spoke so much about the children in the parables. With the special needs kids it teaches me how important it is to reach out to the needy. I think once you start caring for other people your needs and problems kind of fade away and you feel better about yourself.

Learn more about Holland at our artist page for the band, which includes our review for their debut album, Photographs and Tidalwaves. You can listen to sound clips and pick up your own copy of their album at Musicforce.com.

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