Hollow Creek Talks About Their Single "Nightlife"!

Hollow Creek recently released their first single, "Nightlife". It's an amazing debut offering that you need to stream as soon as you can. Group members (Alexa Picillo, Jaxon Maciel, Curtis Colantonio, Logan Boucher, and Aidan Connell) were nice enough to answer a few questions for us about the group and this amazing release. I know it always makes me enjoy a song a little bit more the more I know about it. I bet you feel the same way!

Let's see what they had to say!

How did the group “Hollow Creek” come together?

Jaxon - It all first started with 2 guitarists and one drummer. Aidan Connell, Logan Boucher  and I. We all kind of played together but nothing serious. Then at True Music Studios Aidan got an opportunity to record with Alexa. They stayed in contact and ended up getting a band together with just Aidan, Logan, and Alexa. They played a few gigs together. I saw them playing at a festival one time and I mentioned to Aidan how his solos sounded empty without the rhythm guitar. Aidan referred me to Alexa and we talked a bit and then I went to band practice with them. A few months later we played at The Alchemy in Providence, RI and the sound guy mentioned that it would enhance our sound drastically if we had a bassist.  We ended up finding an exceptional bassist - Curtis Colantonio. That's how we all came together.

What do you want listeners to know about your single “Nightlife”?

Alexa -  I want to reach all types of people with this song. The people who connect to the lyrics on a personal level or the people who just simply love the guitar solos. This song is about wanting to be a better version of yourself, the one you only see in your dreams. I hope people can feel seen and realize they can make the change they want to see in their lives.

Do you have a favorite lyric from the song?

Curtis - A favorite lyric? My personal favorite would have to be the first lyric of the chorus, "I see her in the dark" which just sounds so badass with the sudden change from an upbeat, happy song, to a dark and gloomy one that comes in like a punch in the face. I think the imagery that comes from that lyric really MAKES the song. That part of the song is the funnest to play on bass as well. 

How did you come up with the cover artwork?

Alexa - The artwork for this song is a photo I took at one of my first ever gigs in Newport, RI. Little did I know I would be using this very photo for my band's debut single. Full circle moment for me. “ 

What was the biggest challenge when creating the song?

Logan - The largest challenge for me personally was the process of drumming to a metronome. The song has segments like the chorus which play in half time or slower compared to the main groove, which is a faster shuffle rhythm I created. In general, though, playing to a click track was a new experience to me, and I’m new to studio drumming which had a much different feel to live drumming, where the former needs to be tight and precise while the latter focuses on feel, groove, and keeping the band together with less rhythmic precision.

Do you have any favorite memories of the recording process?

Aidan - One of my favorite memories from the recording process was probably after we had finished recording. We had been there for about 5 hours and were all tired and hungry. Jaxon and I were sitting in the hallway waiting for the delivery guy to arrive. When he finally showed we ended up running through like 8 inches of snow to get it and yelling “he’s here!” The rest of the time was just spent talking, fooling around, and trying not to be too loud so we didn’t annoy our producer .

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I want to thank Hollow Creek for taking the time to share this look at their single with us. And special thanks to Alexa for helping arrange everything.

Be sure to follow Hollow Creek on Instagram, and Spotify to be sure you won't miss anything! You can also check out Alexa's solo interview here on Section 36 Music!

Thanks again Hollow Creek!

Alexa Picillo Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music had another visitor! I'm sure you all love the latest single from Alexa Picillo as much as I do! I was so excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss the song, her appearance on The Search, and more! I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Alexa Picillo visits Section 36 Music!

I really enjoyed your latest single, “Broken, Jaded, Wasted”. What can you tell me about it?

Broken, Jaded, Wasted is a song I originally started writing on my own. The lyrics started out as a one sided story. Then I met a friend at Berklee who helped me enhance my ideas and we were able to create a two sided storyline. This song is to bring awareness of the horrible effects of drunk driving, and I hope to reach as many people as possible with the song. 

Do you have a favorite memory from the recording process?

My favorite memory is how fast we were able to get the song recorded and produced. I remember we were just finnishing up writing it , there was only a day  left of the Berklee program and I only had 15 minutes to record my vocals until I had to be home for a show. We spent many hours of those last two weeks writing and staying late working on the song. Tamir Dinar and I were able to find a Berklee student walking through the hallways- named Noah Seren to help us produce the song last minute. 

You made the top 25 at The Search. What has that experience been like?

I am very excited to be a part of The Search. I met Kara McKee and Ed Brady at an open mic in East Providence, Ri. - at Myrtle. After I sang a couple songs including the first song I ever wrote called “ Don’t Lose Him”  they granted me the Golden Anchor and I automatically advance into the Top 25. Everyone I met and connected to during this journey have been the sweetest , most passionate , people ever! I’m looking forward to what is to come and I am very grateful for the opportunities they have given me. 

 

Who or what would you say are your biggest musical influences?

A few of my biggest musical influences would be people like Avery Anna, Carrie Underwood , Dolly Parton etc. Another local artist that has inspired me, who is from Boston ma, is Lilly Fitts.  Seeing someone local accomplish their dreams and keep working hard at what they love has pushed me to strive for more when it comes to my music. 

If you could cover any Disney song, which one would you choose? Why?

If I could cover any Disney song I would want to cover “ I see The Light” from Tangled. This has always been my favorite movie as child and this song carries deep emotion.  I relate to the lyric “ All those days watching from the windows , All those years outside looking in”. My whole life I have felt like I have been on the outside, looking in. Music is my escape and allows me to carry my emotions and gives me a sense of hope and comfort. I hope to reach people with my songs and give them the same sense of hope. 

What are your immediate musical goals?

My immediate music goal would be to get to Nashville and connect with as many artists as possible. I would love to meet everyone I can in the industry. As much as I enjoy doing shows locally in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the dream is to play bigger shows- bigger venues doing what I love and reaching  as many people as possible. 

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Excited to see her in the biggest venue possible as soon as possible.

As always, I want to thank Alexa for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview. 

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Alexa, and good luck reaching your goals!