Keep the MOJO burning - Hollow Mountain String Band
Following the recent outstanding MOJO festival of original music in Ardfern, the Argyllshire Advertiser takes a look at what the leading musical lights of Argyll are up to following their rockin’ display at MOJO.
The Hollow Mountain String Band takes its name from Ben Cruachan, a local mountain that was hollowed out to make way or a power station and what a power station of music this band is indeed.
Started in 2011 by two lifelong friends and music associates; John McMahon on vocals, guitar, harmonica and Rab Woods on vocals, banjo, guitar and many more.
They play their shared love of American traditional music such as blue grass, honky tonk and blues and have successfully brewed it with some Scottish Celtic influence. They call their music ‘Americeilidh’, like the wild west meets west Argyll.
In 2015, the addition of Nigel Frydman (formerly Billy Bragg’s bassist) gave the funky bass he plays a major role.
In 2016 Ann Barlow joined the group with her lively fiddle playing to complement their unique, infectious and rich, down-to-earth sound.
Recently, Michelle McAnally completed their line up with the steady hand of drums and percussion added to great effect.
The coming together of all these experienced players is a feel good, foot-stomping flowing of rhythm that’s difficult to forget. It’s a yee-haw and a yee braw. With such a mixture of personalities, it’s hard to pin down one major influence on the band’s sound.
Rab said: ‘I would say a mixture of Hank Williams and classic country. Riggy Skaggs Del McCoury, Doc Ox, stuff like that. My influences are all over the place, as are everyone’s in the band. I’m into Frank Zappa and the Fog Horn String Band.’
So what’s been the best moment of their vibrant career?
‘You want the most cheesy response ever? Every performance is the best,’ Rab said.
But beware at gigs for a risque song choice, deemed the band’s guilty pleasure.
Rab said: ‘We’ve got a couple, played selectively in gigs depending on who’s there. I can’t tell you what they’re about but I can tell your their names. El Burro and The Good Time Granny. They’re both very dodgy.’
The Hollow Mountain String Band hope to continue bringing their music to venues all over, maybe transatlantic in the future?