“I’ve always enjoyed records that reveal a bit
of versatility – ones that draw from a number of different
moods and styles” says singer/Songwriter/Producer Holmes (given
name Roy Shakked), “My
influences vary; my moods vary, and so I like to keep things moving
in an attempt try to get a more complete picture”. Holmes’ music
career started out in Boston where he worked as a bar pianist and
while studying at Berklee College of Music. He then moved to NYC,
working as a composer, and now resides in Los Angeles spending his
time producing records, taking care of his aging dog, staying up
late, occasionally composing for television and running his own
record label. His music has been featured on television shows The
OC, CSI Miami, Sex and The City, Independent Lens, Without a Trace and Nip/Tuck;
a Nissan Motors commercial; movies Poseidon and The
Devil Wears Prada, as well as dozens of album compilations.
A man of many aliases Holmes is known to many for his notable Los Angeles
record label Groove Gravy Records. Borrowing from a plethora
of music genres and a variety of world flavors Holmes' production career
reached a turning point as he recorded “Fresh Goods” - 2002's
ultra-eclectic release under the pseudonym The Tao of Groove ( “Shakked's
work could quite possibly take mixing to a whole new level." -The
Oakland Tribune.) As Jazzelicious he has remixed
classic tracks by Sarah Vaughan, Jimmy McGriff, McCoy Tyner and Carmen
McRae among others, produced tracks for Shihan and Ursula Rucker and,
in the process, has developed quite a distinctive musical style.
Enlisting a group of friends that would make any record producer's
mouth water Holmes spent the winter of '06-'07 locked up in his home studio,
bringing to fruition a long overdue project – his debut album Stop
Go. With the help of guitarists Lyle
Workman (Beck, Sting, Frank Black), Chris Bruce (Seal,
Wendy & Lisa) and Joel Shearer (Alanis Morissette,
Ben Taylor); drummer Ramy Antoun (Seal, Alexi Murdoch),
cellist Sarah O'Brien (ELO, LA Philharmonic), bassist Brett
Simons (Alexi Murdoch, Liz Phair), the album is brimming with
good energy. Influenced by 70's American rock, Brit Pop and a nod towards
The Beatles, Stop Go is produced with personal touches
and an ear to the future, effortlessly moving from power pop/rock to tender
singer-songwriter ballads. Songs from the album have already received
spins from over 150 radio stations around the world.
After 18 months of various productions and touring Holmes returns with Basement
Tapes - his sophomore release. From Go Computer,
a hard-hitting track about a dysfunctional relationship between a man
and his computer, to Let’s Dance - a dark and lush
cover of Bowie’s classic 80’s hit, to Not a Political
Song - a bouncy, poppy farewell to our commander-in-chief, Holmes’ stylistic
diversity is at work once more. A 5-song EP is out now while the full
album is due out in January of 2009.
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