Hollis Riverbank - Overpass EP

Hollis Riverbank

​Overpass EP
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Holiis Riverbank is an eighteen-year-old musician. She started making music when she was  around twelve years old and she has released a six-song EP entitled Overpass.  Loretta Lynn, Jack White and Neko Case are some of her heroes and that’s evident in her music.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind with this release. She is not an audio engineer and recorded the whole EP in her bedroom. There is just no denying this is a demo quality release. On that note she is going to Nashville in search of a producer and engineer. This is a case where I unequivocally think this is a great decision.

​The reason being you can tell that she has a lot of talent brewing. She has a good voice and has pretty good yet basic ideas for songs. On top of that I like her image. My point being is with the right team behind her I think it will bring about the potential that I hear on this EP.

Up first is “Perfect” where it seems like The White Stripes might be the major influence. I could definitely hear Jack White singing this song. It’s very catchy. Up next is “Muse” which revolves around a bass, a guitar and her vocals. Her voice really shines here. She continues to showcase the power in her voice on “Sapho Girls” and “Antidote.” The popular Dolly Parton song “Jolene” which has been covered countless times closes out the EP.

At eighteen years old she is at the embryonic stage of her development. From first hand experience playing music around when she did (I am thirty-six now), she will get better at her craft as she continues to go down the road of songwriting.

She has a lot of potential and the best advice I can give her at this point is to try and find her signature sound. The influence of other popular musicians is fairly easy to spot right now. I think her singing style fits the genre but she still is going to find that X-factor that makes her a singular musician.

As of right now I’d say she falls into a case of wait and see but I have a good feeling about her. She is one to keep tabs on and I wish her luck in her evolution.

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