Interiew with Guitarist and Vocalist Ian Holloway of Formula 400

 


By Mick Michaels

 




Cosmick View: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

Ian Holloway: Hi…thanks.

CV: What’s currently going on with Formula 400?

IH: Our debut album "Heathens" has been out since 2020. We are currently in the studio completing our second album and it should be done and out this Fall 2022.

CV: Given so many major changes over the last decade, do you believe the music industry is a practicable and stable enough environment for new artists to even consider making it a valid career choice? Can a level of sustainable success really be achieved in your opinion?

IH: I think being a professional musician takes dedication and time paying dues. Regardless of the way the business shifts, real music fans will always buy records and go to shows. There is a huge DIY scene out there making it happen every day. If you can dream it, you can do it.

CV: What do you see as the biggest change in the music industry since you first started out?

IH: The biggest change in music since I started is definitely when it went to digital platforms via the Internet. We started playing in bands in the 80s, so we were lucky to have been around when it was only analog and buying albums in record stores was the only way to get music.

CV: How do you see your music separating itself from your peers and avoiding just being another cog in the wheel? 

IH: I feel that our band, Formula 400, is a unique blend of lots of different sounds and types of music. We like to write songs in different keys and tuning to break the monotony. We like doing dual guitar parts a la Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Skynyrd to add to the dynamics and melodic feel.

CV: Has the industry’s many changes affected how you write music? Has it influenced your songwriting style in any drastic form?

IH: The industry has never influenced our music and never will. We could not look in the mirror and feel good about it if we wrote songs to please a trend. Fuck that.

CV: Has digital technology led the way for almost anyone to be a musical artist in your opinion?

IH: I feel that a lot of people have been able to use modern digital platforms as a positive way to get their music out there. Electronic music is so advanced now and can be done without paying a lot of money to use a studio. I'm glad more people are making music any way they can.

CV: Has music in general been broken into too many sub-genres? Why do think there are so many classifications of music types? Can this be confusing for an artist who is looking to build a brand? As well, can it be confusing for the fans?

IH: Genres and subgenres in my opinion are not worth thinking about. It's kind of like being in a cage it seems. Why would anyone want to do that? Being open minded about styles and structures is the only way for me.

CV: How would you define “iconic” when it comes to being an artist or musician? What do you think makes an artist iconic?

IH: An iconic artist or band is innovative and not writing to a mold or catering to anything. In my opinion, true art comes from the soul and heart of an artist. When you hear bands that stand out, usually it's because they are out of the box and practice creative freedom.

CV: Who would you consider to be a modern day “rock star?” And is being a “rock star” something to aspire to?

IH: I've never considered myself to be a rock star. I am just a music fan who loves to play guitar and write songs.

CV: Does music need to have a message to convey to the world for it to be worth listening to in your opinion?

IH: I think there are a lot of songs that have strong messages and sometimes they resonate with people. That being said, sometimes a song just kicks ass. I like it all.

CV: What's next for the band? What can fans expect to see coming?

IH: Well, we have our second album coming out later this year and hopefully some sort of tour to follow. Other than that, we will be writing our third album and rehearsing our live set.

CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.

IH: Thanks to everyone involved in your camp. We appreciate everyone out there who takes the time to listen to our music and all the other bands out there making it happen.

Check out Formula 400 at:

Official: https://www.formula400.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/formula400sd   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formula400sd

 

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.




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