The Memphis, TN (US) native didn’t pick up the guitar until he began attending the University of Tennessee, quickly taking to the instrument in between his studies, soon writing his own songs. In 2004, Holcomb had recorded his first EP, “Lost & Found,” which impressed the label Istra. The following year, Holcomb had completed his debut album, “Washed in Blue,” which dropped in May.
Holcomb’s next effort was the live album, “Live in Memphis,” in 2007, capturing his sauntering americana. After a relocation to Nashville, Holcomb assembled a backing band, becoming the act, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, with the first release credited to this new group of musicians being the independently released “A Neighborly Christmas,” also in 2007.
Holcomb’s Neighbours featured Nathan Dugger (guitar), Rich Brinsfield (bass) and Jon Radford (drums), as well as wife Ellie Holcomb, who contributed backing vocals. Drew holcomb & The Neighbours then returned in 2008 with “Passenger Seat,” released on Magnolia Music. Success was building for the band, finding chart success in 2011 after the release of “Chasing Someday,” which reached 183 on the Billboard 200.
This taste of chart success was not about to end for Holcomb and his band, finding their 2013 release, “Good Light,” peaking at number 84 on the Billboard 200. Continuous touring has certainly helped the band’s popularity, playing alongside the likes of Ryan Adams, Needtobreathe, The Avett Brothers and Los Lobos, also appearing at festivals such as Bonnaroo. With 2015’s “Medicine,” Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors found their record shooting to number 47 on the Billboard 200, further cementing their rise to success.
Tennessee band Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors centres around the singer/songwriter efforts of Drew Holcomb and they have built a reputation for themselves that far outstretches their southern state. Their alt-rock and country sounds were picked up by a number of television networks following on from the release of their debut in 2005 and this equated to a large, albeit fair-weather fanbase yet the strength of their live performance has offered the band some longevity to their career.
The group has been recording and releasing tirelessly in their decade long career averaging almost an album a year as you get the idea that these four musicians are simply bubbling over with creativity and when brought together the formula just works perfectly. Playing a good mixture of material from the majority of albums, the group spend particular time tonight on 2013 LP 'Good Light' and it is great to see fans singing back the words to 'Tennessee' and 'The Wine We Drink'. Drew thanks the crowds in his charming Southern manner and tells them the group feels blessed to be able to share songs with them this evening before they begin the stomping final beats of 'Here We Go'.
sean-ward
Sunday 4th September. The Borderline. Drew Holcomb. It’s that most un rock and roll of nights as we head off to the Borderline to see the fine Mr Holcomb who produced one of the best albums of last year Medicine.
In what seems to be a bit of trend, ala Phil Cook and Gandalf Murphy, it’s an early start with two sets tonight and I am not complaining. No room for the band on this tour and so it’s just Drew and an acoustic guitar. We agreed last night that performing solo acoustic must be the hardest thing for any musician. You’re out there on your own without any security blanket of a band living and dying on the back of just your songs and yourself.
The good news for us is that Holcomb is a confident, experienced artist who has the songs, the self-deprecating humour and stories between songs to keep the audience engaged throughout.
He’s here supporting the last album and also a new live at the Ryman release. The bulk of the two sets draws from ‘Medicine’ but there’s room for multiple requests one of which ‘Rooftops’ he has to resort to googling his own lyrics. It all adds to the show and crowd are swept along helping out with words as required.
Holcomb’s voice is one his strengths and it sits somewhere between early Ryan Adams, Neil Diamond and Loudon Wainwright.
Highlights for me include ‘Shine like lightning’ and ‘here we go’ performed without amp or microphone at the front of the stage. A great show and it will be good to see him back with the band.
Keep on rockin y’all.
garyw66
Log in to your account
