As a family and as a band, we have been following our calling to be conduits of creativity and kindness for nearly a decade and it is our greatest honor and privilege to share “The Last Dance,” our 4th full-length album.
The name is no coincidence, with the younger Hollands! beginning to launch out on their own, the name not only ties all of the lyrical themes together on the album but resonates with this season in our lives.
The Last Dance is our most diverse and comprehensive album thus far. The album comprises of twelve songs, written over the last five years featuring stories of true love, life and death, family, a sense of home or safety, and more love. The final track is the infamous Celtic song we play at the end of most of our performances, “The Blessing”, which was written by our mate, Sammy Horner.
Recorded over 7 days in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia with recording engineer, Chris Gillespie at his off-grid, solar powered, Blue Sky Recording Studios.
The musicality of The Last Danceholds to the essence of The Hollands! Folk Americana sound with beautifully woven harmonies and core instrumentation of Guitar, Cajon, Mandolin, Banjo, Piano, and Ukulele. However, in true Holland fashion, we’ve invited an all-star cast to join us on this album!
Let us introduce our kinfolk,
The Players:
Our dear friend and famed blues guitarist, Cameron Henderson added a few licks on the Gretsch hollow body, giving a few tracks that extra dose of effervescence
Our recording engineer, Indie Singer/Songwriter, Chris Gillespie set the tone on the Bass and added a bit of sunshine on the Dobro
Colleen Davick has showcased on three of The Hollands! albums and this time is no exception. Colleen adds her fine Penny Whistle expertise on The Blessing
Jeffrey Niemeier has toured with us on and off over the last three years. This is his 700th recording and we are very excited to have his fireball fiddling on The Last Dance. Photo by Adrianne Adelle
Composer and long time friend, Jeff Kurtenacker laid down an epic Hammond Organ track on one of the songs.
One of our favorite drummers of all time, Jason Torrens (of Cisco Caesar) added his drumming magic to The River and John Brown
Our visual artist:
Dalia Milan has had the fortune of being mentored by parents, John and Elli Milan, of Milan Art Institute. At 14, she has found her own unique voice among those in the world of fine art. We’re excited to partner with this young prodigy on The Last Dance
And YOU!
As you can see, we’ve assembled an amazing team of collaborators to make this project a success and our desire is to be able to compensate those artists for helping us fulfill our vision for The Last Dance.
This is where you are invited to join the fun! Your Pre-order and contributions not only help The Hollands! create a legacy through music but also supports a village of artists. You can do this by clicking HERE.
Our goal is to raise $6,700 USD. This will cover all of our basic recording/production/printing costs and allow us to care for those who have contributed.
Bringing something new and creative into the world is a deeply vulnerable thing to do, let alone to ask people to notice it, evaluate it, or pay for it. So, thank you for taking the time to consider partnering with us on the most important record of our career to date. We could not do this without you!
The Hollands! We are obviously more than just a band, we are a family. However, as we celebrate our five year anniversary of full-time travel, we thought it would be fun to take a look at all of the merrymaking our little family has made.
Our children, Graciana and Banjo were 14 and 10 when we hit the road full-time but began performing with us well before. I can’t even imagine how many total shows they have already played at their young age, but the list below showcases approximately 90 shows a year since 2011, and displays the hard work of touring through the whole of the US, Canada, Australia, and SE Asia. Even more than that, every single one of these performances we had the honor of teaching and leading our favorite song “Old Man’s Town.”
If you haven’t heard “Old Man’s Town” have a listen here. Video was recorded in 2014 at the Habanero Collective in Phoenix, AZ
The song was written in 2010 and originally appeared on our album Ashes to Beauty. However, the song quickly became our families heart song and appeared again as a more rollicking version on our 2013 release, Over Land and Leas. We are currently laying down tracks for a new project and the hope is to add another version of the song to that album.
“Old Man’s Town” is based on the Banjo Patterson Poem, ‘The Road to Old Man’s Town.’
The fields of youth are filled with flowers,
The wine of youth is strong:
What need have we to count the hours?
The summer days are long.
But soon we find to our dismay
That we are drifting down
The barren slopes that fall away
Towards the foothills grim and grey
That lead to Old Man's Town.
And marching with us on the track
Full many friends we find:
We see them looking sadly back
For those who've dropped behind
But God forfend a fate so dread --
Alone to travel down
The dreary road we all must tread,
With faltering steps and whitening head,
The road to Old Man's Town!
We had been doing an Australian folklore workshop and found the verse in one of Banjo Patterson’s books of poetry. The poem really struck a cord at the time as I had been working in nursing homes doing music therapy and was really taken by how important community was in our understanding of meaning and quality of life. At the same time, Craig and I were journeying thought a reconciliation process in our marriage and the poem just really hit home. The song showcases a sing along chorus that encourages our audience to see the value in each other, to push through the storms of relationship, to find the beauty in community, believing the ancient words, ‘that when one falls, we all fall and when one is honored, we are all honored.’
Sing my woes, sing my joys
Sing my friends, now don't be coy
Sing my sad and pretty song
Sing oh sing, oh sing along
We have lead this song at festivals and in more intimate gatherings to handfuls of kinfolk all willing to bellow out the chorus with us. Whether a large or small group, hearing others heartfelt voices in one accord has brought more joy than anything else on this musical journey.
Of course, we’ve had a few cherished moments that stand out including leading the song in our hometown venue, Kavarna, which we performed at the night before we left in the bus. We were covered in sweat from packing and getting the bus ready, and rushed over to Kavarna, set up the stage and together with all of our kinfolk we sang with bittersweet voices as the last note rang out.
Another of our favorites was in Chuck Parson’s basement in St. Louis MO. The crowd of kinfolk packed in and stood about two feet from us in a simi-circle. They danced and danced and sang their hearts out. Another would be at the last ever Cornerstone Festival in 2012 where 1000 or more kinfolk sang along, while our friends and former members of Seeds and Ballydowse joined us on stage. Then there was that time in Jesse and Janae’s backyard in Austin TX, under all of the twinkle lights and another time at the Fox Valley House in Appleton, WI when all the counselors from Camp Tekawitha came up on stage and sang with us. Speaking of Camp Tek, some of our fondest memories are of our Wednesday night sing-alongs. And, even that summer when we couldn’t make it, the campers still sang the song and our friend Eric sent us the video.
Teaching the song to our first French speaking crowd in Vann and Chantels barn in Quebec, CA was a blast and prepared us to teach it to all of our kinfolk in SE Asia. In fact, on of our favorite memories was leading the song in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). We were playing on our hosts front porch, which opened to the busy street and many gathered around. We asked for a translator and a beautiful young woman stepped forward. She translated the lyrics and those standing there began to sing along with gusto. Then there were all the folk festivals in Australia, boy do folkies down under like to sing! And our kinfolk in Glenrowan, such a fun, rowdy bunch. Whew! Honestly, the list could go on and on!!
I reckon, even if touring comes to a close, even if we never make another album, our family will keep singing this song, with whomever, and where ever the Spirit allows.
And so, here’s a peak at our nearly 500 shows over the past five years. Have a gander, maybe you were at a few?
2016Oct 2 Red Poles Mclaren Vale SA
Sept 30 Metro Mt. Gambier SA
Sept 29 Sianni's House Party Warrnambool VIC
Sept 17 Rhys and Esthers Wedding Yackandandah VIC
Sept 11 Camperdown Rest Memorial Park NSWSept 10 The Factory Kirrawee, NSWSept 3 Kihilla, Lawson, NSWSept 1 House Concert Glebe, NSWAug 25 Lazy Bones Lounge Marrickville, NSWAug 14 Live-n-Lounge Macarther NSWAug 6 Hidden Valley Farm Ourimbah NSWJune 24 Selah Farm Mullumbimby NSWJune 10 SeeChange Community Jannalli, NSW
May 14 House Concert Gundaroo, NSWMay 13 Folk Session St Barnabas, Canberra, ACTMay 8 River City Albury, NSWMay 3 House Concert Glenrowan, VICApril 29 Old Church on the Hill Bendigo VICFeb 20 Bonnie Doon Folk Festival Bonnie Doon VICFeb 12 Albert Park Folk Club Melbourne VICFeb 9 House Concert Glenrowan VICFeb 8 Euroa High School Euroa VICFeb 6 St. Leonards Winery VICFeb 5 Cocoa Collective Albury NSWJan 31 Zac's Place Harden NSWJan 29 Smith Alternative Canberra ACT
Jan 22 Humph Hall Sydney NSW
Jan 16 KCC Singapore Jan 10 Muditar Yangon MyanmarJan 2 Art in Chai Pai Thailand 2015Dec 23 Tamar Center Pattaya ThailandDec 11-13 Alongsiders Phnom Penh CambodiaDec 2 Red Apple School Phan Thiet VietnamNov 28 Haven Bar Vung Tau Vietnam
AUSTRALIA TOUR
Nov 5-8 Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival Bendigo VICOct 29 Barb's Kew House Concert Melbourne VICOct 25 Concert in the Park Wodonga VICOct 24 Court House Concert Series Yackandanda VICOct 21 Nethercote Music Factory Nethercote NSWOct16-18 Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival NSW Oct 11 Illawara Folk Club Kiama NSWOct 10 Northern Beaches Music Festival Collaroy NSWOct 9 Kimandi House Concerts Port Maquarie NSWOct 4 Tintenbar Upfront Tintenbar NSWOct 3 The A&I Hall Bangalo NSWOct 1 Treehouse on Belongil Byron Bay NSWSept 25-27 Wallaby Creek Music Festival Rossville QLD
Sept 12 Mountain Vista Music Albuquerque NMSept 7 Golden Grace House Concert Golden COSept 3 Kearney Public Library Kearney NESept 2 5150 House Concert Des Moines IAAug 30 Phoenix Band Shell Delavan WIAug 27 Harbor Park Egg Harbor WIAug 23 GBCC Green Bay WIAug 21 Waukegon Library Waukegon ILAug 13 House Concert Milwaukee WIAug 10 Hackley Library Muskegon MIAug 9 C3 Grandhaven MIAug 7 Concert In The Park East Jordan MIAug 6 Courthouse Concerts Charlotte MIJuly 18 Delorey Barn Severin De Beauce QC, CA July 14 Music on the Green Calais MEJuly 9 Old Town Library Old Town MEJuly 5 Community House Hamilton MAJuly 3 Dover Free Library Dover VTJune 28 Grace and Truth Chapel Boston MAJune 26 Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center Middletown CTJune 23 Roots Cafe Brooklyn NYJune 20 Caffe Vivaldi Greenwich Village NYJune 17 Allentown Library Allentown PAJune 12 Harrisburg Improv Theatre Harrisburg PAJune 1 Music on the Steps Fredericksburg VAMay 30 Dante's Bar Frostburg MDMay 25 Savage River Farm Lonaconing MDMay 17 Chatham County Community Church Chaple Hill, NCMay 16 Hayes House Concerts Pittsboro NCMay 10 Feed and Seed Fletcher NCMay 9 Crooked Door Marion NCApril 19 Satellite Bar Bluegrass Jam Wilmington NC April 9 Dukes Wilmington NCApril 4 One Life Camp Winnabow NCMarch 30 NTMH Sanford FLMarch 28 Spring Beach Fest Melbourne FLMarch 8 The Beach Church Pensacola FLMarch 4 Music Camp Gulf Breeze FLFeb 13 Island Folk Concerts South Padre Island TXFeb 4 Zeplins Creative Gathering Austin TXJan 6 Fort Stockton Library Fort Stockton TXJan 4 Monterey Court Tuscon AZ 2014Dec 29 House Concert Phoenix AZDec 21 Foothills Albuquerque NMDec 20 Burton House Concert Albuquerque NMDec 13 Jones Wedding Lafayette LANov 24 MLF Thanksgiving Feast for the Homeless Austin TXNov 21 House Concert Round Rock TXNov 19 Vespers Service ARCH Austin TXOct 24 New World Deli Austin TXOct 4 St. Francis Celebration New Braunfels TXSept 25-28 SWRFA, Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference Austin TXSept 14 Sweetwater Bar Austin TXSept 6 Listening Session Lafayette LAAug 28 Caney High School Caney KSAug 26 Coffeyville Community College Coffeyville KSAug 19 House Concert Lexington KYAug 15 Waukegon Public Library Waukegon ILAug 13 Benefit Concert Milwaukee WIAug 9 Seaquist Orchards Door County WIAug 1 Gordon Lodge Bailey's Harbor WIJuly 26 Packerland Concert on the Ledge De Pere WIJuly 19 Fox River House Appleton WIJuly 13 GBCC Green Bay WI
June 12-16 Steel Bridge Songfest Sturgeon Bay WIJune 9-11 Construction Zone Writers Camp Sturgeon Bay WIJune 8 Phoenix Band Shell Delavan WIJune 7 UUFD Dubuque IAJune 6 Anderson Barn Concert Mt. Vernon IAJune 6 Burlington Library Concert Series Burlington IAJune 1 Ox Cart Farm Bowling Green KYMay 16 Newell House Concert Austin TXMay 10 Under the Canopy Concert Series Dripping Springs TXMay 3 Two Rocks and a Hub Cap Santa Fe NMApril 27 Foothills Albuquerque NMApril 19 Front Porch Concerts Phoenix AZApril 13 Prescott Public Library Prescott AZAUSTRALIA TOUR April 1 The Old Church on the Hill Bendigo VICMarch 30 Theatre Royal Brickyard Concert Series Castlemaine VICMarch 29 Kelly's Bar Olinda VICMarch 28 Ranges Concert Series Upway VIC
March 25 House Concert Glenrowan VICMarch 21-23 Yackendanda Folk Festival VICMarch 15 Fiddlehead Yinnar VICMarch 14 Surrender Conference Belgrave VICMarch 13 A Quiet Place Concert Series Castlemaine VICMarch 8 House Concert King Lake VICMarch 1 Gibson House Concert Eden NSWFeb 26 Old Kirk House Yamba NSWFeb 25 New Earth Tribe, Cloverdale House, Byron Bay NSWFeb 22 Troubadour Folk Club Woy Woy NSWFeb 16 Norwa Folk Club NSWFeb 15 Illawarra Folk Club Wollongong NSWFeb 14 Humph Hall Allambie Heights NSWFeb 8 Daniels Wedding VIC Jan 16-19 Illawarra Folk Festival NSW 2013 Dec 19 Old Town Library Fort Collins CODec 17 Cowgirl Bar Santa Fe NMDec 15 Foothill Church Albuquerque NMDec 14 Main Library Albuquerque NMDec 12 Erna Fergusson Library Albuquerque NM
Dec 10 Desert Trails Tucson AZDec 7 La Cocina Tucson AZ
Dec 6 Monterey Court Tucson AZ
Nov 8 Habinero Collective Glendale AZNov 3 Kineo Phoenix AZNov 1 Eight Day Coffee Phoenix AZOct 21 House Concert Carlsbad CAOct 13 Gathering by the Bay Monterey CAOct 6 New Hope Oakland CAOct 5 Queen Bean Modesto CASept 25 CSL Concert Roseburg ORSept 21 Kenyon Hall Seattle WASept 19 The Green Frog Bellingham WASept 8 Vast Sisters, ORSept 6 House Concert Boise, IDAug 31 The Branch Park City UTAug 30 Miner Park Park City, UTAug 25 Avogadro's Number Fort Collins COAug 25 Fort Collins Covenant Fort Collins COAug 23 House Concert Golden COAug 21 Hillside Garden Concert Series Colorado Springs COAug 20 Secret Garden Colorado Springs COAug 18 P.C.C.R.S Parker COAug 17 Music on the Mesa Castle Rock COAug 16 Hays Public Library Hays KSAug 14 Fremont Library Mundelein ILAug 4 Black Soil Firehouse Lansing MIAug 3 Cornbread and Jazz Elkhart INAug 2 The Avenue Lansing MIJuly 28 Sun Dog Farm Concert Series Maple Plain MNJuly 25 Concert in the Park Long Prairie MNJuly 24 Fon du Lac Live Fon du Lac WiJuly 23 Knights on the Fox De Pere WIJuly 21 GBCC Green Bay WIJuly 20 Fox River House Appleton WIJuly 15-19 Camp Tekawitha Shawano WIJuly 14 Top Deck Gordon Lodge Bailey's Harbor WIJuly 13 Blackhawk Folk Festival Mt. Morris WIJuly 12 Town Hall Concert in the Park Bailey's Harbor WIJuly 10 Lake Park Wonderful Wednesday Milwaukee WIJuly 8 Ephraim Town Park Ephraim WIJuly 6 Galena Performing Arts Festival Galena ILJuly 3 Sister Bay Concert in the Park Sister Bay WIJune 27 Jackson Square Concert in the Park Green Bay WI
June 25 Hayner Public Library Alton WIJune 22 Bishop Hill Summer Festival Bishop Hill IL
June 16 Summer Concert Series Antioc Library Antioc ILJune 14 Courtyard Concert Series Waukegon Library Waukegon ILJune 6 Music on the Green West Branch IAJune 2 Park Farm Winery Bankston IAMay 31 Two Way Street Coffeehouse Downers Grove ILMay 26 New Hope Greenwood INMay 18 Official Showcase SERFA Montreat NCMay 10 Charles and Myrtles Chattanooga TNApril 27 Doss Barn Concert Evansville INApril 20 Luxemburg High School Luxemburg WIApril 14 Neenah Public Library Neenah WIApril 13 Cup o Joy CD Release Green Bay WIMarch 23 House Concert Lafayette LAMarch 21 Sound Scape Workshop Austin TXMarch 19 House Concert Austin TXMarch 13 Opening Bell Listening Room Dallas TXMarch 10 United Methodist Lubbock TXMarch 9 Dinner and Song Lubbock TXMarch 3 Foothills Church Albuquerque NMMarch 2 Solid Grounds Albuquerque NMMarch 1 Burton House Concert North Foothills, NMFeb 27 Australian Folklore Workshop ECM Albuquerque NMFeb 22 Apple Mountain Music Albuquerque NMFeb 16 Santa Fe Center for Spiritual Living Santa Fe NMFeb 14 Red Sands Mission School Winslow AZFeb 13 Apache Mission School Show Low AZFeb 10 Grace Church Show Low AZFeb 8 Bookman's Flagstaff AZFeb 7 Cornville Mission Cornville AZFeb 3 Center for Spirituality Salt Lake City, UTFeb 2 Folk Songs for Climate Justice Concert Murry UTFeb 2 Sound Scape Workshop Salt Lake City UTJan 26 Artistree Arts Conference Phoenix AZ
Jan 20 Kineo Phoenix AZJan 19 Multicultural Festival Chandler AZJan 18 Quartzsite Bus Rally Quartzsite AZJan 16 Wine and Song Firefly Bistro South Pasadena CAJan 13 New Hope Oakland CAJan 11 House Concert Oakland CAJan 6 Center for Spiritual Living Roseburg ORJan 5 Axe and Fiddle Cottage Grove OR 2012 Dec 30 McMenamins Bend ORDec 30 Antioch Bend ORDec 24 Christmas Eve Service Bend ORDec 23 VAST Sister ORDec 20 Operation Elf Box Celebrate Salem ORDec 19 Operation Elf Box Celebrate Bend ORDec 15 Morford House Concert Bend ORDec 7 First Friday Art Walk Bend ORDec 1 High Note Cafe Boise IDNov 30 Cypress House Concert Salt Lake City UTNov 28 Folk School Workshop Salt Lake City UTNov 25 ECC Fort Collins, CONov 24 Avogadro's Number Fort Collins, CONov 18 1st Pres Colorado Springs CONov 14 Swallow Hill Denver CONov 11-13 Timberline School Winter Park CONov 9 The Urban Farm Denver COOct 22-25 Sedan High School Sedan KSOct 21 Epiphany Episcopal Church Sedan KSOct 15-19 Coffeyville Humanities Program Coffeyville KS
Oct 13 Town & Country House Concert St. Louis MOOct 11-14 Folk Alliance Midwest Conference St. Louis MOOct 7 Snus Hill Winery Madrid IAOct 6 Progressive Voice Concert Series Des Moines IAOct 5 Zekes Ames IaOct 4 Barn Concert Mt. Vernon IASept 26-30 CCDA Reconcile Conference Minneapolis, MNSept 23 GBCC Green Bay WI
Sept 21 Venture Theater De Pere WISept 16 First Methodist Church Sturgeon Bay WI
Sept 15 Appleton Farmers Market Appleton WI
Sept 14 Brummel Haus Concert Green Bay WI
Sept 13 Soul Rebel House Concert Appleton WI
Sept 8 O'Morey House Concert Elkhart IN
Sept 7 Magnolia House Concerts Grand Rapids MI
Sept 6 The DAAC Grand Rapids MI
Aug 30 Zeppelin's Music Hall Lansing MI
Aug 23-24 Back to The Roots Chelsea MI
Aug 16 Brewed Awakenings Grand Rapids MN
Aug 16 Green Scene Farmers Market Walker MN
Aug 13 Baudette Train Depot Concert Series Baudette MN
Aug 12 Concert in the Park Bemidji MN
Aug 10 Legends and Logging Festival Park Rapids MN
Aug 9 Glacial Ridge Winery Spicer MNAug 8 The Local Blend St. Joseph MN
Aug 6 Camp Tekawitha Shawano, WI
Aug 4 "Un-Regatta" Banquet Menominee Park Oshkosh WI
July 29 SBCC Sturgeon Bay WI
July 28 Picnic in The Park Beaver Dam Park, Green Bay WI
July 27 The Fox River House Appleton WI
July 25 Terry Naturally Farmers Market, Green Bay WI
July 24 Concert in the Park Red Smith Park, Green Bay WI
July 22 Gordon Lodge Baileys Harbor WIJuly 21 Parallel 44 Winery Kewaunee WIJuly 20 Fri Private Event Kewaunee WIJuly 19 Brilliant Stranger Fish Creek WIJuly 18 Lunchtime Live Fon du Lac WIJuly 11-15 Lifest Sunnyview Expo Center Oshkosh WIJuly 3-8 Cornerstone Music Festival Bushnell IlJune 23-29 Camp Tekawithia Shawano WI
June 22 Gordon Lodge Baileys Harbor WIJune 20 Terry Naturally Farmers Market, Green Bay WIJune 16 Fyr Bal Festival Ephraim WI
June 14 Summer in the Park Jackson Square Green Bay WIJune 10 Steel Bridge Songfest Sturgeon Bay WI
June 3 Green Bay Botanical Gardens Green Bay WI
May 30 Windhover Center for the Arts Fon du Lac WI
May 20 SBCC Sturgeon Bay WIMay 18 Kavarna Green Bay WI
May 11 Cedar Vally House Concerts Cedar Falls IA
May 9 Barn Dance Mt. Vernon IA
May 5 Benefit Concert Shenandoah IA
May 4 inCOMMON Community Development Omaha NE
May 1 El bait Shop Des Moines IA
April 28 Private Event Kansas City MO
April 27 Starr's Cave Nature Center Burlington IA AUSTRALIA TOUR
April 14 Box Forest Wesleyan Concert Series Glenroy, VIC AUSTApril 10 Ringwood Folk Music Club Ringwood, VIC AUST
April 8 Hickinbotham Winery Dromana, VIC AUST
April 7 Brunswick Hotel Brunswick VIC AUSTApril 6 Wesley Anne Northcote, VIC AUSTApril 1 St Stephens Anglican Church Warrandyte VIC AUSTMarch 24 Private Party Wallan, VIC AUSTMarch 18 St. Martin's Collingwood, VIC AUST
March 17 The Chandelier Room Moorabbin VIC AUST
March 11-12 Burke and Wills Folk Festival Mia Mia VIC AUSTMarch 10 Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Rutherglen, VIC AUSTMarch 2 Solid Grounds Littleton CO
Feb 26 The Grove Chandler AZFeb 24 Fiddlers Dream Pheonix AZ
Feb 18 Isley House Concert Vacaville CA
Feb 11 RiverRidge House Concert Series West Linn ORFeb 10 Skyway Bar & Grill Zigzag OR
Feb 6 The Record Room Portland ORFeb 4 The Black Dog Snoqualmie WAFeb 3 SoulFood Books Redmond WA
Jan 29 Sisters High School Auditorium Sisters OR
Jan 13 Green Plow Coffee Redmond ORJan 1 New Years Celebration Skyway Bar Zigzag OR2011
Dec 31 NYE Celebration House Concert Bend, OrDec 9 The Beech Party Portland, ORNov 26 Sisters Christmas Parade Sisters, OR
Nov 20 J&J House Concert Series Bend, ORNov 19 Pike Place Market Seattle, WANov 17 Backyard House Concerts Kirkland, WANov 4 Skyway Bar Zigzag, OR
Oct 28-29 MORE Married Conference Sisters, OR
Oct 26 Ella Street Social Club Portland, OR
Oct 22 Whisky Poets Room Far-West Eugene, OR
Oct 22 Bill and Kate Isles Room Far-West Eugene, OR
Oct 21 River Ridge Room Far-West Eugene, OROct 11 Bon Voyage Party! Kavarna Green Bay, WI
Oct 7&8 MORE Married Conference Manitowoc, WIOct 5 Terry Naturally Farmers Market Green Bay, WI
Oct 2 SBCC Sturgeon Bay, WI
Oct 1 Night of Jubilation 1st United Church of Christ Green Bay, WI
Sept 30 Chefusion Green Bay, WI
Sept 18 SBCC Sturgeon Bay, WI
Sept 17 Bus Conversion Fundraiser Green Bay, WISept 11 Wausau Festival of the Arts Wausau, WI
Sept 10 Parallel 44 Harvest Festival Kewaunee, WI
Sept 7 Windhover Center For The Arts Fon du Lac, WI
Sept 4 Gordon Lodge Bailey's Harbor, WI
Sept 3 Appleton Farmers Market, Appleton, WI
Sept 2 Concert in the Park Two Rivers, WI
Aug 31 Mequon Country Club Mequon, WIAug 30 Red Line Tap Chicago, ILAug 24 Hoi Polloi Grand Rapids, MIAug 21 House Concert Crystal, MI
Aug 20 Black Soil Church Lansing, MI
Aug 20 Brighton Farmer's Market Brighton, MIAug 18 Canterbury House Ann Arbor, MI
Aug 12 Legends and Logging Festival Park Rapids, MN
Aug 11 Terrapin Station Nevis, MN
Aug 11 Green Scene Farmers Market Walker, MN
Aug 6 Three Crows Cafe' Delano, MNAug 5 318 Cafe' Excelsior, MN
Aug 4 Glacial Ridge Winery Spicer MN
July 30 Riversong Music Festival Hutchinson, MN
July 29 Private Party St. Joseph, MN
July 28 Sixth Ave Wine and Ale Alexandra, MN
July 25 Ephraim Concert in the Park Ephraim, WI
July 23 Parallel 44 Winery Kewaunee. WI
July 22 Brumder Mansion Milwaukee, WIJuly 20 El bait Shop Des Moinse, IA
July 17 Duffy's Lincoln, NE
July 18 & 19 Camp Nebowa Onawa, IAJuly 17 City Church Omaha, NE
July 16 Barley Street Tavern Omaha, NEJuly 9 Ledge Stone Vineyard Greenleaf, WIJuly 8 Cranky Pats Neenah, WI
July 6 Windhover Center for the Arts Fon du Lac, WI
June 29- July 3 Cornerstone Music Festival Bushnell, IL
June 22 Mequon Country Club Mequon, WI
June 18 & 19 Thistledown Faerie Festival Bonduel, WI
June 17 Cup O Joy Green Bay, WIJune 8 Terry Naturally Farmers Market Green Bay, WI
June 5 Green Bay Botanical Gardens Green Bay, WI
May 21 Chives School House Suamico, WIApril 21 Hinterland Green Bay, WI
April 16 Glas Sturgeon Bay, WI
April 9 Boarders Oak Park, ILApril 8 Molly's Cafe' Chicago ILMarch 26 318 Restaurant Excelsior, MN
March 25 Red Rooster Aberdeen, SD
March 24 Sturgis Center for the Arts; Writers Workshop Sturgis, SD
March 22 House Concert Spokane, WAMarch 20 SCC Sisters, OR
March 19 Harmony House Sisters, OR
March 18 Mississippi Pizza Company Portland OR
March 17 Maes House Concert Portland OR
March 15 Ides of March Folk Festival The Linen Building Boise, ID
March 13 The Laughing Goat Boulder, CO
March 12 Stella's Denver, CO
March 12 Edgewater Coffee Denver, CO
March 11 Da Buzz Coffeehouse North Platte, NE
March 10 Family Fun Night, River of Life Ceder Rapids, IA
March 7 "Reflections" Workshop, Gibralter HS, Fish Creek WI
Feb 25 Parallel 44 Winery Tundra Fest, Kewaunee, WI
Feb 23 Writers Workshop The Appleton Public Library
Feb 13 The Appleton Public Library Concert Appleton, WI
Feb 12 Sweetwater Sea Concert Series Manitowoc, WI
Jan 1- Feb 10 Recording "Ashes To Beauty"
We’ve had a blast reminiscing, remembering your sweet smiles, and gusto as you sang along. Thanks for all you’ve done to keep us folkies going! We couldn’t keep rolling without you!!
Growing up in the Folk/Americana musical family, The Hollands! and touring on the road full-time for all of her adolescence, Graciana Holland was given the opportunity to explore and experience new cultures, traditions and music, all of which has influenced her songwriting process.
Graciana is an accomplished songwriter and composer with work appearing on three The Hollands! albums including the title track for The Hollands! album, Over Land and Leas (2013) and her own hit single, Banjo Man, released in 2015.
She has been surrounded by the traditions of folk and Americana music and hints of that practice are woven into her Jazzy infused Pop. The mixture of the three end up creating a unique sound all her own. She plays guitar, ukulele, and piano and works with electronic beats but her voice is the stand out. With a delicate and pure delivery, Graciana’s sound keeps listeners on the edge of their seats wanting to hear more.
As a musician I want my music to inspire people to create and bring light to the world. I want it to bring emotion and memories. I want my music to bring joy. I know that what I write is a reflection of what I am ingesting, and what is going on in my life.
Learning to watch what I am consuming is a tough one but very important.
I know that songs and the messages behind them is incredibly healing for the body and the brain, but I did not know the extent to which that healing goes.
I found a documentation of studies by Dr. Masaru Emoto in the 1990’s as he tested the music-water interaction. Results showed that praying over water or even taping a piece of paper with a negative or positive message changed the molecules of the water.
Ladies and Gentlemen, announcing Ms. Graciana Holland. Class of 2014 Graduate.
Graciana is graduating from T.T.R.S Academy. (Tillers & Travelers Road School) at the top of her class. She has shown excellence in her ability to think critically, communicate effectively and take risks.
For the next 12 months, Graciana is committed to traveling, performing and serving alongside of The Hollands! During this transitional year, Graciana will be looking at all sorts of opportunities. Her main interests that she will continue to nurture are music, fashion blogging/writing, food science, art, and psychology. We are excited to have one more year with Graciana and looking forward to all that is in store for our little song bird.
As her parents we have seen her excel in her musical abilities and her faith. Our desire is to send her off with tools and connections so that her gifts will blossom. Her main instrument is the piano, however life on the road has not afforded her that luxury for the past three years. Although she has become proficient on Guitar and Ukulele, it’s not uncommon for us to be staying with a host family who might have a piano and hear her connecting with her first love via the piano.
Our hope is to gift her with a Nord Electro Keyboard, with the intention of using it to create with us, as well as, record her own album. We also would like to see her using and stretching her abilities to eventually apply for entry in a music conservatory for music composition.
If you would like to send Graciana a card or gift of support you can snail mail to:
℅ Graciana Holland
2507 Westlake Dr
Austin Tx, 78746
So apparently today is Neil Youngs birthday. It’s all over my news feed. More importantly thought, it’s Graciana Hollands birthday. Our little song bird turns 17 today!
This ride wouldn’t be what it is without our daughter, Graciana. She is a bright star and we are so blessed to share family life, music and this nomadic journey with her.
Some children play basketball, soccer, or other sports, participate in art or poetry competitions, are science guru’s, 4-H, boy scouts, etc… Our daughter sings! A little history and some proud moments…
Photo by Richard Steinberger
Graciana Holland has always had a song in her mouth and began singing publicly with her mother, Jana Holland, when she was nine years old. Her first appearances on the stage featured cameo’s for Jana’s original songs as well as sharing the stage with her grandmother leading old spirituals. Her natural talent for harmony was extraordinary and her poise on stage was developed beyond her years.
At the age of 12, Graciana joined Mother/Father duo, The Hollands!, recording thier 2009, “To Holland, With Love” album. She was in 8th grade and wrote her own harmonies to Arise Ye Sons and Daughters, a song that embodies The Hollands! philosophy of “one love, that when one falls, we all fall and when one is honored, we’re all honored.”
She also offered contributions on the Glockenspiel, an instrument on loan from her band teacher. Graciana wrote parts on songs Winter by the Bay and The Shack. She began to tour with her family, performing in the Midwestern regional market.
Photo by Bloom Photography by Kara
Two years later, The Hollands! released, Ashes to Beauty, an album that chronicled the love, loss and reconciliation in marriage. Although a heavy topic, this album included more of Graciana’s harmonies and her role in the band was becoming more established. She was beginning to take more responsibility on stage and off, specifically helping her brother, the youngest Holland, find his place in the band.
The Hollands! toured with this album across the US, breaking new ground in the Plains states, Pacific North West, the coast of California, the Southwest and the Rocky Mountains. And, then, with two albums under their belts, The Hollands! sold everything, bought a bus and hit the road. touring full-time, including Australia.
The two younger Hollands, found themselves with more time on their hands. Homeschooling offered a fresh outlet for music and over the next two years, Graciana would learn new instruments, hone her writing skills, develop a confidence on stage and find a powerful voice that could move listeners to tears.
Photo by Bloom Photography by Kara
In April of 2013 The Hollands! released Over Land and Leas. This album would not only include Graciana’s harmonies, but her song writing, guitar work and lead vocals as well. In fact, it was her song, Over Land and Leas that ended up becoming the title track on the album. Her song, Lanie Done Did, a murder ballet, became an instant hit on Public Radio stations across the US, Europe and Australia. In May, Graciana showcased those songs at the South East Regional Folk Alliance Conference.
Photo by Bloom Photography by Kara
As band mates, we are so proud of Graciana for her committment to this gift and although the future is unknown, we look forward to whatever may be in store for her. As parents, our hope is that our little song bird will spread her wings and fly higher than she ever imagined, whether she is singing in the privacy of her own room or through or microphone. Our hope is that she will have learned through all of this hard work, that success is not measured by fame or fortune but by a peace of mind, joyful spirit, grounded soul and willingness to share our gifts even if there is no return.
The life changes we have made over this past year have been so mind altering and soul stretching. It’s been a process to digest it all but over the last few weeks we have put our minds and efforts into writing songs. We hope to record these new songs this December in Portland, OR with David Fuller. Looking to have it available Spring 2013.
Crux of the Album:
There is a great love and purpose for us that is worked out in the messes, storms, blue skies, daily work, and dreams of our common lives. This album gives narrative shape to actual people and circumstances in their dealings with God, each other and the inner workings within themselves.
We’ve decided to redo Old Man’s Town from our latest album, ‘Ashes to Beauty’ and feature it on this upcoming album. It’s a song that has aged well and our hope is to really allow the energy that has been building in that song to have a second chance to impact.
We’ve also been working to incorporate the unified sound that has developed in us as a family, not just a duo. Over the last two years we’ve performed as a family 355 times. There is a solidity that has developed and we are looking to incorporate that into this album. So, although we will still have room for guest appearance’s, on this recording we will feature “The Hollands!” as a band and as a family, including musical parts and songs that have been written by our children, songs like “Lanie Done Did” written by Graciana Holland.
Here is an excerpt from that song:
“Just about 26 seconds ago/Lanie done something bad/That time that time that time/Was all it took to make him mad/And the waves came down/Like an earthquake ready to rumble/Rolling round, Lanie, done did stumble”
We have lead this song at festivals and in more intimate gatherings to handfuls of kinfolk all willing to bellow out the chorus with us. Whether a large or small group, hearing others heartfelt voices in one accord has brought more joy than anything else on this musical journey. 
Another of our favorites was in Chuck Parson’s basement in St. Louis MO. The crowd of kinfolk packed in and stood about two feet from us in a simi-circle. They danced and danced and sang their hearts out. Another would be at the last ever Cornerstone Festival in 2012 where 1000 or more kinfolk sang along, while our friends and former members of Seeds and Ballydowse joined us on stage. Then there was that time in Jesse and Janae’s backyard in Austin TX, under all of the twinkle lights and another time at the Fox Valley House in Appleton, WI when all the counselors from Camp Tekawitha came up on stage and sang with us. Speaking of Camp Tek, some of our fondest memories are of our Wednesday night sing-alongs. And, even that summer when we couldn’t make it, the campers still sang the song and our friend Eric sent us the video. 
Tillers & Travelers 