Local Artist Spotlight w/ The Hollow Doubts
What do you do when you don’t fit the mold? When you’re not into WWII documentaries, smoking meat, or golf? If you’re Ken, Brian, Tim, and Jon, you pick up your instruments and start a band. The Hollow Doubts are four Rochester guys who decided to give music another shot—and the result is raw, real alternative rock that doesn’t pull any punches.
With a DIY ethos running through everything they do—from basement recording sessions to booking their own shows—The Hollow Doubts are carving out their own corner of the Rochester music scene. We caught up with Jon and Ken to talk influences, songwriting at dawn, and what it takes to keep the rock dream alive as a middle-aged band.
First, tell us a little bit about yourself and the band. How did you get started, and how did you land on your current sound?
Jon: We are Ken, Brian, Tim and Jon and together we are The Hollow Doubts. We are an alternative band from Rochester. Four guys that couldn’t relate to the WW2 history buffs or meat smoking stereotypes others in our age group fell into, so we picked up our instruments and decided to give the music thing another try. Also, we suck at golf.
Who or what were your musical influences growing up? Have they changed over the years?
Jon: I grew up listening to a lot of skate/pop punk and spent more than a few of my formative years Ska curious. I enjoy any music that feels genuine and produces an emotion. I have been to a lot of DIY shows in Minnesota and love that I live in a state with people who are willing to say “That doesn’t exist… yet, but we could probably do it.”
Ken: For me rock is king. It always has been and I don’t see it changing. Certainly over time the flavors of the genre shift, but I love bashing drums and distorted guitar. I prefer music raw and real so punk, grunge era alternative, and garage rock hit the spot for me. Recently I’ve been into doom bands like King Buffalo and Elder.
When did you first realize you wanted to perform live? Is there a specific moment that gave you “the itch”?
Jon: I grew up a “little brother” so I have always had that “look at me” gene. Life got busy for a handful of years and that “itch” went into hiding. I saw an ad for some guys my own age wanting to create original music and it was no longer able to hide. I reached out, we played together a few times and I felt a way about music again that I hadn’t felt in years.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
Jon: Life experiences served over a bed of overdriven guitars, catchy solos, bass lines that give the middle finger to “only playing root notes” and a drummer willing to bleed for a tight tempo.
What’s your songwriting process like? Where do you find inspiration?
Jon: I like to walk in the mornings before the sun comes up. There seems to be some magic in the darkness and my brain isn’t fully awake. That’s when I usually am able to find a line or rhythm that I try to capture in that moment so it doesn’t drift off into the ether. I guess what I am saying is I have a lot of voice memos that when heard out of context would convince most people that I’m a crazy person. From there I try to record something crude to send off to the rest of the guys so they can help me bring it to life.
What are you currently working on? Any new music, upcoming shows, or projects you’re excited about?
Jon: Always working on writing and recording new music. Additionally Ken has been tackling the ever evolving world of social media, bringing his video editing skills to that as well. We are currently booking shows and playing as much as four middle aged men are able.
Ken: We have taken a very DIY approach. I spent my 20’s as a live sound engineer in Madison, so I was fortunate to have that experience and the opportunity to work for the promoters in that scene as a stage manager. I’ve been leaning on that as we record these songs in our rehearsal spot in our drummer Brian’s basement. I take my laptop home and mix sitting on my couch at home. I’m also leveraging my experience with promoters to try to expand the scene for original rock in Rochester.
What artist (living or dead) would you love to meet or collaborate with?
Jon: I grew up in a weird time where rock stars were both on TV (which made them seem like they might as well have lived on another planet) and with the invention of the internet (yes, I’m that old) some of those people became more human. I guess what I am trying to say is I don’t really have anyone I want to collaborate with but would love to collaborate with anyone that has a genuine passion for the music.
What do you love about the Rochester music scene? What do you think it could do better?
Ken: In my time in Rochester we’ve seen some shifting and growth in the local music scene. We’ve seen places like Thesis develop as an outpost for original live music. We see good community support from Rochester Public Music (especially the parks series) and Thursdays Downtown. That said, I think Rochester has room for growth—we need to cultivate more connection between residents and the music scene. So we’re working to try to find new opportunities to support that growth.
Where can people find your music and follow along with what you’re doing?
Ken: Our music is available at all major streaming services. We struggle with promoting these platforms as they seem morally dubious, and have changed the musical landscape in a conflicting manner, but this is the world we’re living in. The same can be said of social media. We have an active Instagram account as well as a YouTube and Facebook presence.
Huge thank you to Jon and Ken for sitting down with us and keeping it real. The Hollow Doubts are proof that it’s never too late to chase the music—and that the best bands are built on genuine passion, not polished image. Keep an eye on these guys as they continue to grow Rochester’s original rock scene.
Want to see them live? Catch The Hollow Doubts at the Rochester Thaw Music Festival!
