SPILL FEATURE: FROM RIFFS TO REVELATIONS – A CONVERSATION WITH THE DANDY WARHOLS GUITARIST PETER HOLMSTRÖM

FROM RIFFS TO REVELATIONS

A CONVERSATION WITH THE DANDY WARHOLS GUITARIST PETER HOLMSTRÖM

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Peter Holmström, the guitarist from the renowned band, The Dandy Warhols, to delve into their highly anticipated upcoming album and the thrilling journey of their forthcoming tour. “Prepping for a tour and an album release is non-stop,” shared Holmström, reflecting the band’s excitement as they gear up for an extensive three-month tour.

Scheduled for release on March 15, 2024, Rockmaker sets the stage for The Dandy’s musical odyssey, commencing on March 4 with their tour, allowing fans a taste of what’s to come before the album’s official debut. Holmström shared insights into the album’s timeline, acknowledging a minor delay in the release schedule.  “There was a small hiccup in getting the album release sorted but we had to book a tour, so we took a guess. We would’ve preferred the album to come out first then go on tour but it’s only five shows into the tour when it comes out so it worked out pretty well,” he remarked.

Rockmaker marks a departure for The Dandy Warhols, boasting an array of captivating collaborations. Notably, Frank Black of the Pixies lent his talents to the track “Danzig with Myself,” injecting a fresh dynamic into the song. Peter recounted Black’s intuitive approach to the track, seamlessly integrating a guitar part that elevated the song to new heights.

ROCKMAKER ALBUM REVIEW

Reflecting on the collaborative process, Holmström highlighted a shifting landscape within the rock genre, where collaboration is not only embraced but celebrated. “We’ve had some great guests on our albums in the past, but nobody ever made a big deal about it, so this time it feels different,” he remarked.

Rockmaker embodies a sonic evolution for The Dandy Warhols, characterized by a deliberate emphasis on guitar riffs over chords and melodies. “No matter how hard we’re pushing ourselves, it always sounds like us,” explained Holström. The album’s inception stemmed from a desire to venture into the realms of metal and rock, resulting in a collection of riff-driven tracks that defied initial expectations. “It ended up being a fun record for me to create even though I wasn’t entirely into the idea at the beginning,” noted Holmström.

From the infectious energy of “Summer of Hate” to the haunting allure of “The Cross”, each track on Rockmaker is imbued with distinct inspiration and purpose. Holmström shared anecdotes behind the creation of individual songs, drawing inspiration from documentaries to channeling iconic vibes of rock legends like Black Sabbath. “We always decide that there’s a direction in our records, and it’s usually fulfilling something that’s missing from our repertoire and what we’re listening to,” Holmström affirmed, noting that the album’s guitar-heavy sound harkens back to their roots. Yet, amidst the exploration of new sounds and influences, The Dandy Warhols remain unmistakably themselves.

As anticipation mounts among fans, Rockmaker promises to captivate both long-time devotees and newcomers alike, with The Dandy Warhols pouring their hearts and souls into every note. Don’t miss the chance to experience their electrifying performance at the Danforth Music Hall on March 12 in Toronto—an event sure to leave an indelible mark on music enthusiasts everywhere.

Tour Dates

March 4  Washington, DC 9:30
March 5  Boston, MA Royale
March 6  Philadelphia, PA Ardmore
March 7  Hamden, CT Space Ballroom
March 9  New York, NY Webster Hall
March 11  Montreal, QC Le Studio TD
March 12  Toronto, Ontario Danforth Music Hall
March 14  Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
March 15  Indianapolis, IN Vogue
March 16  St. Louis, MO Delmar Hall
March 18  Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
March 19  Los Angeles, CA The Fonda

Artist Links

Photo Credit: Eleonora Collini