Between all the restless bodies
we’ll find a dark place to meet
I’ll leave in the middle of the night
with no promises left to keep
Rest assured, it’s perfectly fine to unlock those emotional floodgates and let the tears cascade. ‘I Still Feel Alone All The Time,‘ the latest single from Austin’s Holy Wire is bound to hit you right in the heartstrings with its poignant resonance. The song is out now via à La Carte Records.
Holy Wire, conceived by Alain Paradis, emerged in the wake of a geographical and existential transition from Brooklyn to Austin during the pandemic. In the aftermath of a personal upheaval and a commitment to sobriety, Paradis found himself an isolated figure in a city gingerly awakening from its pandemic-induced solitude. Surrounded by nothing but the echo of memories and the expanse of time, he turned to songwriting as a solace and a means of connection, gradually syncing his rhythm with the vibrant pulse of Austin’s musical landscape.
I Still Feel Alone All The Time elegantly merges the austere aesthetics of post-punk and cold-wave with the polished sheen of hi-fi sophisti-pop, carving out a niche that oscillates between the shadowy realms of Grauzone and the soulful clarity of Hall and Oates. The composition teeters on the brink, where mechanized percussion, unyielding basslines, and the synthetic whispers reminiscent of a Soviet-era lab surrender to a chorus that envelops the listener in a misty, dreamlike embrace. Throughout, the frostbitten synths wax and wane, casting an ambiance of an eternal winter, a landscape both stark and mesmerizing. We hear shades of The Teardrop Explodes, Tears for Fears, and Nation of Language in its sound.
I Still Feel Alone All The Time delves into a profound sense of solitude that belies the bustling backdrop of an urban milieu, ostensibly ripe with the promise of connection yet equally isolating. The song is a page from the personal diary of Paradis, who mined the depths of his own experiences when living in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Following the conclusion of a tumultuous romance and his departure from the familiar social circles of Bushwick, Paradis found himself adrift in the nocturnal life of the neighborhood bars, weaving through the streets, seeking fleeting companionship through the ephemeral encounters promised by dating apps.
“I always lacked a sense of belonging,” admits Paradis, “it just felt like this cosmic wash of winter darkness.”
Listen below:
In the past, Alain Paradis lent his talents to several bands, including Fixtures, Miserable Chillers, and Your Dream Coat. This odyssey in search of belonging ultimately drew him to the vibrant music scene of Austin, Texas. There, Paradis rejuvenated a long-dormant solo endeavor, rechristened as Holy Wire, and assembled a fluid lineup of musicians for live performances. This ensemble featured guest appearances from members of DAIISTAR, Pelvis Wrestley, and TC Superstar. Since its rebirth, Holy Wire has graced stages alongside notable acts such as The KVB, Urban Heat, and Xeno & Oaklander.
Holy Wire sought the help of key New York players Abe Seiferth (Nation Of Language, Yeasayer) to produce and mix the album, and Heba Kadry for mastering. I Still Feel Alone All The Time marks the first release with A La Carte Records and is the first single off the upcoming album The Ending Of An Age, out on June 5th, 2024.
Pre-Order the album here
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