THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
A CONVERSATION WITH RIVAL SONS’ GUITARIST SCOTT HOLIDAY
With the recent release of their seventh album, Darkfighter, and the conclusion of their massive headlining tour, Rival Sons are a leading presence among a growing wave of rock ‘n’ roll bands shaking up the genre with a straight shot of pure, unadulterated ‘70s vibes. It is a masterclass in modern rock performance and songwriting through a rich and diverse collection of eight songs that shines a light on the versatility of their art. Speaking on the making of Darkfighter, and their upcoming, follow-up release, is Scott Holiday, the creatively-driven lead guitarist of Rival Sons.
Released on June 2nd, Darkfighter sees Rival Sons dig deep into their ‘70s influences and emerge with something that feels equally fresh as it does reminiscent. With standout tracks including “Mirrors”, “Guillotine”, and “Bright Light” , the record is certain to be among the strongest rock releases of the year. Speaking on the critical reception, Holiday remains humble, saying the response has been “pretty overwhelming, which is really gratifying. I try not to follow too much of what people are saying, of course, we want to know if people are enjoying it, but it can be dangerous…We feel like we made a record from the heart. It’s something we’re proud of, something I’m very proud of.”
The album itself was recorded over the span of two years. The band has never taken longer than two months to make a record, a process which Holiday refers to as immediate and honest, adding “like being backed into a corner with a sharp stick; you aren’t premeditating how you’ll get out of that situation; you just do. You just write.” Therefore, this was an entirely different way of approaching the creative cycle, something that spurred the band in a more reflective direction. “It was really healthy. For the first time we were able to focus and push the picture back to see the whole thing… we got to take our time to see the tracklisting unfold and to see the story take different twists and turns,” Holiday explains, adding “It gets different the longer you make records. You want to make sure that you’re making a valid, bonafide message from the heart.”
DARKFIGHTER ALBUM REVIEW
The resulting Darkfighter carries a sense of weight to it. There is integrity to the music, along with a refined sense of precision to both the songwriting and performance. With all the extra time, Rival Sons had recorded enough material for a double record that they have chosen to split into two separate releases, a choice justified through the thematic nature of the music: “The songs aren’t all light and breezy, it’s much more cinematic. We wanted people to really be able to digest it and we thought breaking these albums apart was the way to do it… I think it is a natural companion, a good second chapter.” Lightbringer is set to drop this fall and remains thematically linked to Darkfighter, as Holiday describes, “There was a clear part one and part two for us; there was a collection that cast the shadow of divinises, the social-political upheaval of the last few years. That was the energy it created. And then there was – not necessarily a full resolve – but a collection that cast light on that shadow”. To be clear, these are not strictly a dark half followed by a bright and happy record, as Holiday elaborates, “To me, the records are more complex than one simple emotion.” A quick listen to Darkfighter demonstrates the band’s sophisticated means of casting light against shadows and should undoubtedly leave you excited to see what else Rival Sons have crafted during these sessions.
At its heart, there is a sense of maturity and kindness to Darkfighter. “I think art should be, to a certain degree, a mirror to society, to people, and to culture. You want to see current reality in all forms of art, not just music but writing and art. You want to feel some sort of connection to your own experiences in this life… We are not a very political band on purpose. I would like to create a place where we can all come together. Music, and art, is the great joiner, the universal language.” Furthermore, he adds, “The records are about the human condition, about struggle, hope, and love, maybe about deceit and resolve.” Such care and compassion can be felt through the first half of Rival Sons’ saga. Holiday concludes, “This record is a journey and I want people to get lost in it, there should be some healthy escapism where they can relieve themselves from that… It should be reflective, something you can step into that will throw you into another world.”
Rival Sons very well may be the most exciting classic rock band around. With each new record taking their songwriting further into uncharted territory, the band has carved out a sound that is unmistakably their own, something most classic rock revivalists struggle to do. Hitting the road this summer supporting The Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol, and Stone Temple Pilots, followed by a headlining tour across Europe, would be enough to make 2023 a monumental year; however, when you add the release of two full-length albums to the equation, Rival Sons are gearing up to be among the most promising bands in the world.
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Main Photo Credit: Pamela Littky
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