Introduce yourself… (Where are you from, what band do you play in etc..)

(RS) Hey there, my names’ Ryan Setton, a pleasure to meet you. I’m playing one of the guitars and singing with Montreal rock-n-roll band The Holds. I enjoy long walks and have been known to often keep a flask of whiskey in my pocket.

(PL) My name is Paul Lucyk, I'm from Regina, Saskatchewan but have lived in Montreal since 2012. I have played in several bands over the past few years and currently play guitar in The Holds.

(JW) Justin Wiley, Drums, Originally from London Ontario.

(FL) Hello! My name is Frisco Lee, born Francis Lebel in Montreal. I’ve been here all of my 30 years of existence. I’ve been playing bass guitar in The Holds for a year and a half. I’ve also got a singer/songwriter project that I spearhead under my name.

Why do you play music?

(RS) Music is LOVE! I was born into a musical family. My mother was always playing classical piano, my grandfather played the piano, the accordion & harmonica. Growing up my toys were literally my mums vinyl’s of Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Chubby Checker, Ray Charles, James Brown; that early soul/rock n roll man - loved it and still do. Music has always just been a massive part of who I am - like air to breathe I guess.

(PL) Since I was young, music has always been something in my life that gave me confidence and happiness. As much as I love listening to music, playing music is what really gives me a sense of fulfillment and joy.

(JW) It soothes my soul.

(FL) It feels relieving, energizing, revitalizing - like clean mountain air. I love the scene’s community and the connection with people on an entertaining and spiritual level. I really just want to make others feel the same way I feel about good music when I play for them. It’s a mission and a way of life at this point, having done it for 15 years.

What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?

(RS) As a band, our biggest influence would have to be the fans\crowd. Inspiration is the key to the creative process. I draw it from everywhere. Sure there’s love, heartbreak, hardship, success… but also taking road trips, seeing different places, meeting new people, experiencing the sunrise and the sunset, the moon, tasting incredible food, hanging in New Orleans… Inspiration is all around us in some form or another. Also; riding motorcycles.

(PL) 80% of the music that influenced and inspired me is straight from my dad's music library. A lot of classic rock and pop music spanning the 60s to 90s. I got into blues when I started playing guitar, and Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan had the largest impressions on me for how I wanted to play guitar.

(JW) Led Zeppelin. 

(FL) Probably my parent’s music when I was growing up. A weird hodgepodge of Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Neil Young. I really got into Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Arcade Fire in my teens. Then Bob Dylan happened to me and that led me to Country Blues music, which is definitely my biggest personal influence.

What's your ideal festival line-up?

(RS) Led Zeppelin, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Faces, Joe Cocker, The Band… Oh, wait, you mean now??? Never really thought about it; ever. But I guess if our band was in the line-up that’d be pretty ideal for me.

(PL) At least half of them are sadly deceased. Too hard to pick.

(JW) Brittany Howard, Theo Katzman, Vulfpeck, The Black Keys.

(FL) Radiohead, Fleet Foxes, The Walkmen, Joanna Newsom, Dr. Dog, Mild High Club, Mac DeMarco, Vulfpeck, Anderson .Paak, Andy Shauf, Les Louanges.

Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?

(RS) When The Holds play live it’s honestly a musical journey through this swampy soulful gritty bluesy rock n roll with all kinds of improvising going on. We’re on a with the audience. It’s something I cherish and hold close to my heart. Trying to capture that same energy & magic in the studio is a challenge which I also love dearly; but in the end, I’ve always felt these two mediums kind of go hand in hand.

(PL) I truly love doing both. They are equally fulfilling in different ways. If I could perform 4 days a week and record 3 days a week I would be perfectly satisfied.

(JW) I love both but studio work is probably my favourite. 

(FL) I like both for very particular reasons. There’s patient alchemy in the studio and chaotic explosiveness on the stage. I think in the end, I do get more of a “high” from playing live, but there’s nothing more fulfilling than seamless work on a good song in a nice studio.

What would be a dream collaboration?

(RS) Every time we curate a show in our home town we’re pretty conscious of which bands we get on board to share the bill with, and those have all been dream collaborations. I love working with other musicians and bands in general because it’s such a great way to expand our artistry & vison. Okay; how about The Holds with Brittany Howard (from Alabama Shakes) on vocals. That’d be pretty heavy, no?

(PL) Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen. It's my favourite songwriting. And to sing along and try to learn something from them would be a dream.

(JW) Gary Clark Jr. 

(FL) I think writing and recording with Dan Auerbach would be incredible. On a more local and realistic level, I’d love to collaborate on a song with Johnny Griffin of the John Jacob Magistery. That would be magical.

Describe a favourite album.

(RS) I currently have over 400 vinyl’s in my record collection and honestly, I’ve never had a favourite album. I just can’t do it; too much greatness! I really love old Blues, Soul and R&B. Here are a couple of big ones for me though, Exile on Main St. – Rolling Stones. The band is just doing their thing while not giving a shit and it’s brutally straightforward and sexy - classic rock n roll baby. Another record that knocks me out for its energy and respect for the blues is Golden Butter – Paul Butterfield Blues Band (It’s a “best of but still – go check it out!!!)

(PL) The River by Bruce Springsteen is one. It’s loaded with diverse songs covering a range of profound and relatable human experiences and emotions. A song for every occasion. Brutally raw and sincere.

(JW) “Jamie” by Brittany Howard.

(FL) Fleet Foxes “Fleet Foxes”. It is so inviting and mysterious right from the get-go. It’s got a whole bunch of incredibly well-written songs. The harmonies are delicious. The arrangements are very precise and clever. The whole thing is washed over with reverb that it sounds like a dream.

What's your favourite local haunt?

(RS) Anywhere that feels warm, cozy and welcoming. That's why I spend a lot of time at home having a scotch with our cat. You should pop by some time ;)

(PL) Anywhere I can play music with drinks on the house. No discrimination beyond that at this point in my life lol.

(JW) Grumpy’s.

(FL) Bar de Courcelle in Saint-Henri. It’s my extra living room. All kinds of great musicians and independent business moguls hang around. It’s kept my musical interest from stopping still many times. Great Open Mic. Great live shows. 

What's your strangest experience while performing live?

(RS) One of many crazy things I recall - was way back in the day I was playing at the original Cock n Bull pub in Montreal with a band and during the slowest and sexiest blues song in our set - a huge bar fight broke out involving multiple people and our drummer somehow leaped over the kit and got right in there. The owner of the bar, managed to break it up, throw a bunch of drunks outside, and seconds later we were into another song like nothing happened.

PL) A Halloween show in which someone in a grim reaper costume mounted the stage and tried to grind with me. Fairly confusing, slightly disturbing, yet somehow still flattering!

(JW) I once had a crack in my lip and it was fine before the show started but sure enough 10 minutes into the set it started bleeding and there was nothing I could do to stop it other than licking my lips. After about 20 minutes it was okay but I don’t know if it was as weird for me as it was for the audience to see me constantly licking my lips.

(FL) So far, it’s either forgetting the words to a song that I’ve known forever or having the words of your song sung back to you by the crowd, which is also an inexplicably warm feeling. 

What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in Montreal?

(RS) The best part about being a musician for me is being able to express creativity in such a cool way all the while sharing that magic with other people. It’s basically a symbiotic relationship; truly a gift that I’m constantly amazed by and grateful for. Montreal is a music city. We love music! All kinds of events and festivals constantly going on, and we’re all huge supporters.

(PL) The city is so beautiful, it never ceases to inspire. And it has a nightlife that caters to the lifestyle of musicians.

(JW) There is so much music everywhere. I find there are numerous great bars/venues in the city that foster an encouraging music scene for young talent. 

(FL) Lots of new music happening all the time. Everyone is closer by proximity due to the size of the city. Everyone is very collaborative, as opposed to being competitive.

If you weren’t playing music in Montreal where would you be?

(RS) Montreal’s always been home for me, but as a band, we’ll gladly play wherever the road takes us. Personally; I’ve got family in the UK and have visited London quite a few times. I think if circumstances were different perhaps I’d be out there, restoring furniture and making music – it’s a lovely place.

(PL) I'd like to think I'd be a lawyer in Saskatchewan like my older sister and little brother.

(JW) Toronto, I LOVE Montreal, but if I had to move it would be to Toronto. 

(FL) In California, drinking on a beach, on my way to a record shop.

Any sage advice for young musicians?

(RS) We as musicians/artists need to constantly set goals, but never forget the steps we need to take. Figure out what makes you unique; what’s your strength?! Jam with other players and bounce ideas off each other. Go where your heart takes you. Staying true to yourself and never forgetting to have fun is key to everything. Don't let anyone or anything drag ya down!

(PL) Play every day.

(JW) Find a way to make sure that you are always having fun, don’t quit if you get discouraged, just find another way to make it fun and it will keep you playing for years and years. 

(FL) Imitate your idols until you can hear or figure out what makes you different in your style from them, then syphon that uniqueness and push it until you’re sick of it. From there, stop trying to imitate and focus on what makes you unique. Also, listen to every style of music. Stay open to everything.