Wes Hollywood has a new album out and it’s Dynamite.

Imagine Ray Davies and Elvis Costello having a punch-up in the front row of a Cheap Trick concert.

It’s exactly what your thinking… explosive Midwestern Power Pop steeped in 60’s British Invasion and 70’s New Wave. 

 

‘Dynamite’ was released late November. And Wes Hollywood has a reason for releasing new music at the end of the year. Read all about it but more important … check out these new songs, they are great!

 

 

Can you still recall the moment music became important to you? What happened?

 

No, that is to say, it never was unimportant. A lot of people don’t hear music, it’s just “aural wallpaper” to them. I don’t get that. One of my earliest memories is receiving a 45rpm of “Sunshine on my Shoulders” and scratching out John Denver’s name with a marker and writing my own in its place. I suppose that was the exact moment!

 

 

Which is the song you wish you had written every time you hear it? And why?

 

“Walk on by” by Burt Bacharach & Hal David. It has the most infectious melody. It’s kind of perfect, as far as songs go. Anybody who has ever covered this song has done a great job with it… it can’t be played badly, the music and vocal melody don’t allow for that.

 

What would change if Disney called and told you they were going to use your song in their next movie?

 

Oh, believe me, I’d love to get a check from the mouse. It certainly would allow me the luxury to put out more releases. I suppose if Disney is sniffing you out you’re already on a lot of folks’ radar so it could lead to a record/distro deal, that would be nice.

 

 

So what about putting your ultimate band together? No restrictions. No limitations. If you want David Bowie on backing vocals and Prince on guitar, go ahead.

 

It’s a tricky question. I’m afraid I would be the weak link in any supergroup I would assemble. I’d like to front the Stranglers, hows that? However, I would much rather write songs for people, that’s kind of where my head is anyway when I write… “This would make a great Cheap Trick song” or “I can see Petula Clark recording this.”

 

What’s up for the rest of the year?

I’ve always had a habit (whether it is subconscious or just a coincidence, I will never know) of releasing albums toward the end of the year. This is great if you want to be on the tips of reviewers minds for “year-end lists” but I feel sometimes the release gets lost in the madness of the holidays. Having said that, I will continue to promote the record while submerging myself in the madness of the holidays and then start playing out to support of the new album in the new year.