David Holmes, a galloping man
In the silence preceding the symphony, David Holmes, DJ, producer, and composer (Ocean's Eleven, Killing Eve, Hunger) emerges as a masterful storyteller of sonic tales. His first album after a 15-year hiatus, is not merely a collection of songs but a musical odyssey guiding listeners through uncharted soundscapes. In this intimate interview, we delve into the very heart of Holmes's creativity, unraveling the mysteries behind each chord and lyric. Join us as the artist shares the inspirations, challenges, and revelatory moments that shaped his most recent musical creation.
Interview Secretario Photography JC Verona Film Timothy N. Heinrich
"Blind on a Galloping Horse" is your first solo album in 15 years: The album's artwork and its title are often crucial in conveying a message. Can you share the story behind the title and the album cover?
The photo on the front cover was taken by Bill Kirk who was an aspiring photographer from Belfast who first picked up a camera during the birth of The Troubles. The two people in the photo are Gilles Perez (Magnum photographer) who was on duty in Belfast documenting the civil war on the streets and an English Journalist called Elizabeth. They are standing in front of a burnt-out bonfire in Belfast's loyalist Sandy Row on the 12th of July in 1974. What makes the cover so apt to this album is simple really – LOVE OVER HATE. The album title is an edited version of an old Irish expression which states “a blind man on a galloping horse” could see that the world is in bad place at the minute… It's an expression that states the obvious. I shortened it to 'Blind On A Galloping Horse' because I thought it was the perfect metaphor for where we are at in this world at this moment! We are bombarded day in, day out with information/disinformation with countless distractions which creates cognitive dissonance.
Can you describe a song on the album that addresses a personal or emotionally significant theme for you? What makes it special?
'Emotionally Clear' sums the album up in a couple of ways – dealing with my own mental health through psychedelic therapy which eventually cleared the fog for me to see what was actually happening in the world – from the ridiculous notion and eventuality of Brexit, the miss management of Covid-19 and the corruption at the very heart of it. Why would anyone in power ever give £250,000,000 contracts to their mates who knew nothing about PPE. They should be in prison ffs.
What do you hope the listeners will take away from this album?
Hope, but also understanding that a lot of us are in the same boat re; our mental health and it is ok to talk about it, but also talk more openly about it and clearing the fog to plainly see things that matter like our powers that be and the high crimes that are being committed by them on a daily basis. From their treatment of refugees to supporting the mass murder of tens of thousands in GAZA.
I think we are constantly growing as people and all the experience you gather creates a very natural evolvement not only as a human but an artist also.
“We are bombarded day in, day out with information/disinformation with countless distractions which creates cognitive dissonance.”
Is there a particular song on this album that holds special significance for you?
They all do in some respect but if I had to talk about one it would be ‘Necessary Genius’ because it honours the people who have been truly inspiring in my life. The list spans poets, musicians, investigative journalists, artists, protest singers to civil rights activists and my daughter Nina.
What has been the process of musical composition and production? What has changed since your previous work?
Everything has changed but mostly technology…when I started out, I used to hire engineers and programmers and over the last 20 years, I’ve done all of these tasks and more myself which has been very rewarding and made me a better artist, producer etc.
What can we expect from your new album in terms of sound, style, and surprises?
A true story in full technicolour with very little subtitles.
Can you share some details about your musical or artistic influences that may have inspired you?
On this album, my influences have very much stemmed from 45 years of listening and learning and that’s never-ending! Although the harmonies on 'Emotionally Clear' are inspired by Mama Cass and Michelle Phillips from The Mamas and the Papas.
To whom would you dedicate this album and why?
It's dedicated to two people who were very important in my life; the late Andrew Weatherall who was a mentor and friend in many ways, and the late David Anderson who was a dear friend who I grew up with during the early acid house years! Both gone far too young!
“Just to keep on doing the best I can because we only get one go at this.”
David, after some time away from the DJ format, what motivated you to get back to the decks? How was it at Convenanza Festival?
I run a club night in Belfast called GODS WAITING ROOM and it's such a wonderful evening… The music and guests change by the month: DECIUS, LUKE UNA, MANFREDAS, LOVEFINGERS, LOOKING GLASS ALICE, SKYMAS etc and it’s always really inspiring! Everyone who attends the club absolutely adores it and that’s what got me back into going out on the road again! I think my mushroom intake defo had something to do with it! I also love the new technology which makes it much more enjoyable as I can carry with me at any given time so many folders full of music that I may want to play. It’s just great to have it at your fingertips and with 40 years of experience playing records it’s much more fun and exciting because everything’s at hand.
Do you have a favorite book, film, or artwork that has influenced your creativity?
This changes all the time…. At the minute I’m reading a brilliant book by John Higgs called William Blake vs The World which is very inspiring indeed. Sinead O’Connor's memoir is also a great listen but buy the audiobook because she’s narrating it and as she once told me listen to the audiobook because the funny bits are much funnier! It’s fantastic and a very inspiring listen.
In terms of legacy, what would you like people to remember about your contribution to music and culture?
I’d love to open an amazing recording studio in Belfast full of amazing gear but have it rented out for prices young artists could afford. That would be a good legacy – the studio would be called DREAM DRAMA.
What is the best advice you've received throughout your career and who gave it to you?
My mother gave me two very different pieces of advice 1. Pay your taxes and 2. There are very few people in this world you can actually trust – this particular piece of advice I didn’t take and learned the hard way because unfortunately, she was right. The last piece of advice that I learned from the great Ruth Wilson was “when they go right, go left."
Have you experienced moments of doubt or insecurity in your musical career? How did you overcome them?
I overcame them by making this record.
Do you have an unfulfilled goal or ambition in your career that you would like to achieve in the future?
Just to keep on doing the best I can because we only get one go at this.
About David Holmes
David is a Northern Irish musician and composer. He worked as a DJ before releasing several solo albums that have incorporated elements of trip hop, big beat, electronic and rock. In the late 1990s, he also began composing film scores, establishing a long-standing collaboration with director Steven Soderbergh that includes Out of Sight (1998) and the Ocean's trilogy.
Holmes is currently a member of the band Unloved, whose music has been used extensively in the television series Killing Eve, for which Holmes is also a composer. He has remixed songs for numerous artists and produced albums for Primal Scream and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
Find more about David’s club God’s Waiting Room, Blind on a Galloping Horse and more here
To see more of his work, follow him on Instagram
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