Holy Holy (Australian band)

This article is about the Australian band. For the David Bowie tribute band, see Holy Holy (tribute band).

Holy Holy are an Australian indie rock band formed by songwriters Timothy Carroll (vocals, guitar) and Oscar Dawson (guitar) in 2011. The pair were later joined by touring musicians Ryan Strathie (drums), Graham Ritchie (bass guitar) and Matt Redlich (keyboards, backing vocals). They have released four top-20 studio albums and have been nominated for two ARIA Awards.

Holy Holy
Holy Holy performing in 2019
Background information
Origin	Melbourne/Brisbane, Australia
Genres	Indie rock
Years active	2011–present
Labels	Wonderlick Entertainment Sony Music Australia
Members	Timothy Carroll Oscar Dawson
Website	www.holyholymusic.com

History

2011–2013: Formation and The Pacific EP

Main article: The Pacific EP

Australian-born songwriters Timothy Carroll and Oscar Dawson initially met as volunteer English teachers in Southeast Asia. They reconnected in 2011 while Carroll was living in Stockholm. Dawson had moved to Berlin with his then-band, Dukes of Windsor. When Dawson visited Carroll in Sweden, Carroll asked him to assist with some songs, which later formed the basis for their debut extended play, The Pacific EP.^[1]

Holy Holy released their first single, "Impossible Like You", independently in May 2013 and the band played their first shows in capital cities of Australia. They signed to Sydney label, Wonderlick Entertainment in December 2013, and released The Pacific EP in March 2014. Meanwhile, Carroll enlisted drummer Ryan Strathie (ex-Hungry Kids of Hungary) and bass guitarist Graham Ritchie (ex-Emma Louise, Airling), to join the band. Producer Matt Redlich (of Ball Park Music, Emma Louise, the Trouble with Templeton), joined them as a guest touring musician on keyboards and backing vocals. The five-piece version of Holy Holy opened for Boy & Bear, the Preatures and Ball Park Music.

2014–2015: When the Storms Would Come

Main article: When the Storms Would Come

The band recorded their debut studio album, When the Storms Would Come, with producer Redlich. It was mostly recorded to 16-track 2-inch tape.^[2] The album was released in July 2015 and debuted at No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart.^[3] The album received positive reviews.^[4][5][6]

In July 2015, the band played sets at Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay^[7] and Falls Festival and well as completing a twenty-date Australian tour and European dates in the UK and The Netherlands. Artrocker magazine in the UK hailed Holy Holy in their top 6 bands at The Great Escape in 2015, saying "will probably soon take over all of the universe with their wholesome psychedelic take on alt-rock, alt-country, dusty roads and beards".^[8]

2016–2017: Paint

Main article: Paint (Holy Holy album)

Straight off the back of a relentless touring schedule and festival appearances for When the Storms Would Come, Holy Holy announced they were back in the studio.

In August 2016, released "Darwinism", the lead single from their second studio album.^[9] The name was said to tie in with the theme of evolution, with Darwinism meaning 'evolution of species by natural selection advanced by Charles Darwin'. They released the single "Elevator" in November 2016 and the album Paint was released in February 2017 and peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. During the week of album release, Holy Holy released numerous videos for different songs from the LP - artists' interpretations of the songs; as part of a mini art series called Painting to Paint. The project was headed by Australian artist James Drinkwater.

2018–2019: My Own Pool of Light

Main article: My Own Pool of Light

In September 2018, Holy Holy released a new single entitled "Faces", and started an Australian national tour. Their third album, My Own Pool of Light was released in August 2019 and peaked at number 14 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the 2019 ARIA Music Awards, it was nominated for Best Rock Album.^[10]

2020–2022: Hello My Beautiful World

Main article: Hello My Beautiful World

On 17 June 2021, the band announced their fourth studio album Hello My Beautiful World. The album's third single, "Believe Anything", was released alongside the album's announcement.^[11] The album debuted at number 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, achieving their highest chart peak.^[12]

2023: Cellophane

Main article: Cellophane (Holy Holy album)

On 3 March 2022, Holy Holy released "Messed Up" featuring Kwame; the lead single from their fifth studio album.^[13] Cellophane was released on 22 September 2023.^[14]

Band members

Current members

• Timothy Carroll – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Oscar Dawson – lead guitar, keyboards, bass

Current touring musicians

• Ryan Strathie - drums, backing vocals
• Graham Ritchie – bass guitar

Former touring musicians

• Matt Redlich – keyboards, backing vocals
• Lily Richardson – backing vocals
• Grace Richardson – backing vocals

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with release date, selected chart positions, and label shown

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		AUS ^[15]
When the Storms Would Come	Released: 20 July 2015 Label: Wonderlick, Sony Music Australia Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	11
Paint	Released: 24 February 2017 Label: Wonderlick, Sony Music Australia Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	7
My Own Pool of Light	Released: 2 August 2019^[16] Label: Wonderlick, Sony Music Australia Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	14
Hello My Beautiful World	Released: 20 August 2021^[11] Label: Wonderlick, Sony Music Australia Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	4
Cellophane	Released: 22 September 2023^[14] Label: Wonderlick, Sony Music Australia Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	4 ^[17]

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with release date and label shown

Title	EP details
The Pacific EP	Released: 28 March 2014 Format: CD, digital download, streaming Label: Wonderlick, Sony Music Australia

Singles

As lead artists

List of singles as lead artists, with year released and album shown

Title	Year	Certifications	Album
"Impossible Like You"^[18]	2013		The Pacific EP
"House of Cards"^[19]	2014
"Impossible Like You" (re-release)^[20]
"History"^[21]			When the Storms Would Come
"You Cannot Call For Love Like a Dog"^[22]	2015
"Sentimental and Monday"^[23]		ARIA: Gold^[24]
"Darwinism"^[9]	2016		Paint
"Elevator"^[25]
"That Message"^[26]	2017	ARIA: Gold^[27]
"True Lovers"^[28]		ARIA: 2× Platinum^[24]
"Faces"^[29]	2018		My Own Pool of Light
"Teach Me About Dying"^[30]	2019	ARIA: Gold^[24]
"Maybe You Know"^[31]		ARIA: Gold^[24]
"Port Rd" (featuring Queen P)^[32]	2020		Hello My Beautiful World
"How You Been"^[33]	2021
"Believe Anything"^[11]
"The Aftergone"^[34]
"I.C.U."^[35]
"Messed Up" (featuring Kwame)^[13]	2023		Cellophane^[14]
"Pretend to Be"^[36]
"Neon St" (featuring Medhanit)^[37]
"Ready" (featuring Sumner)^[38]
"This Time" (featuring Tasman Keith)^[39]

As featured artists

List of singles as featured artists, with year released and album shown

Title	Year	Album
"Always" (Tia Gostelow featuring Holy Holy)^[40]	2020	Chrysalis

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Holy Holy have received two nominations.^[10]

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2019	My Own Pool of Light	ARIA Award for Best Rock Album	Nominated	^[10]
2021	Hello My Beautiful World	Best Rock Album	Nominated	^[41]

Environmental Music Prize

The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.^[42]

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	"Hello My Beautiful World"	Environmental Music Prize	Nominated	^[43]
	"Port Road"		Nominated

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005. Holy Holy have received one nomination.^[44]

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2019	My Own Pool of Light	Australian Album of the Year	Nominated	^[44]
2021	Hello My Beautiful World	Australian Album of the Year	Nominated	^[45]^[46]
2023	Cellophane	Australian Album of the Year	Nominated	^[47]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016. Holy Holy have received nominations in 2016,^[48] 2017,^[49] and 2020.^[50]

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2016	Themselves	International Live Achievement (Group)	Nominated	^[48]
2017	Oscar Dawson of Holy Holy	Live Guitarist of the Year	Nominated	^[49]
2020		Live Guitarist of the Year	Nominated	^[50]

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.^[51]

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	Holy Holy	Rolling Stone Readers' Choice Award	Nominated	^[52]

References

1. "Holy Holy". TriplejUnearthed.com. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
2. "H O L Y H O L Y — About". H O L Y H O L Y. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
3. "Albums Chartifacts : ARIA Charts" (PDF). Aria.com.au. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
4. "ALBUM REVIEW: HOLY HOLY - WHEN THE STORMS WOULD COME - Australian duo Holy Holy release their debut album, When the Storms Would Come this Friday. The band are the product of a chance meeting of two transient A". Xsnoize.com. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
5. "Holy Holy - When The Storms Would Come". FrontStageMusic.co.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
6. "Renowned for Sound - Album Review: Holy Holy – When the Storms Would Come". Renowned for Sound. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
7. "Splendour In The Grass 2015 Lineup - Music Feeds". Musicfeeds.com.au. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
8. "FEATURE: The Great Escape Festival 2015 – Six o' the Best!". Artrockermagazine.com. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
9. "Darwinism – Single by Holy Holy". Apple Music Australia. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
10. "2019 ARIA Award winners announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
11. Triscari, Caleb (17 June 2021). "Holy Holy announce fourth studio album, 'Hello My Beautiful World'". NME Australia. from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
12. "Solar Power lands Lorde third ARIA #1 album". ARIA Charts. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
13. Mary Varvaris (4 March 2023). "Holy Holy Release New Single Featuring Rapper Kwame, Announce National Tour". The Music. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
14. "Holy Holy Announce Collaboration-Heavy Fifth Album 'Cellophane'". Rolling Stone Australia. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
15. "Discography Holy Holy". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
16. "My Own Pool of Light by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
17. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
18. Elleson, Liz (15 April 2014). "Holy Holy: The Pacific EP". The Brag. from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
19. "House of Cards by Holy Holy on Jaxsta". Jaxsta. 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
20. "Impossible Like You – Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
21. "History – Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
22. "You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog – Single by Holy Holy– Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
23. "Single serving: Holy Holy – Sentimental and Monday". Turntable Kitchen. July 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
24. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
25. "Elevator – Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
26. "Holy Holy drop "That Message" from forthcoming second album Paint". Music Feeds. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
27. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
28. "Holy Holy - True Lovers". Holy Holy. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2020 – via YouTube.
29. "Faces – Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
30. "Tell Me About Dying – Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
31. "Watch the premiere for Holy Holy's new single 'Maybe You Know'". Russh. July 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
32. Newstead, Al (2 December 2020). "First Spin: Holy Holy's 'Port Rd' is a curveball collab with rapper Queen P". Triple J. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
33. "How You Been – Single by Holy Holy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
34. "Holy Holy team with CLEWS for buoyant single "The Aftergone", announce album tour". NME Australia. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
35. "New Aus Music Playlist – 20/08/21". musicfeeds.com.au. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
36. "Holy Holy Takes Us Deeper into the Forthcoming New Album with Pretend to Be". Milky Milky Milky. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
37. "We Dropped a new Track off the Forthcoming Record Today". Facebook. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
38. ""READY" FEAT SUMNER....how it started..." YouTube. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
39. "Holy Holy's "Cellophane" is a celebration of musical diversity and artistic growth". Eat This Music. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
40. Young, David James (24 July 2020). "Tia Gostelow and Holy Holy team up for new single 'Always'". NME Australia. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
41. Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
42. "Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song". The Music Network. May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
43. "Prize". Environmental Music Prize. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
44. "J Awards: 2019". Triple J. 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
45. Kelly, Vivienne (1 November 2021). "Triple j reveals J Awards nominees". The Music Network. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
46. "Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
47. "Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
48. "2016 Nominees & Winners!". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). 29 November 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
49. "2017 Nominees & Winners!". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). 7 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
50. "Nominees announced for 2020 National Live Music Awards & public voting opens". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). 8 September 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
51. Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). . The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
52. "Have Your Say in This Year's Rolling Stone Australia Reader's Choice Award". au.rollingstone.com. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.

External links

• Official website