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The Oregon-based band TK & the Holy Know-Nothings find a way of bridging the hard-boiled rock 'n' roll bar scene with more expansive moments plucked straight from Western country. It's a sound that allows them to deliver big energy alongside moments of quiet reflection.
Their new song, 'Hell of a Time', exemplifies the latter. The slow-winding track mulls over the difficulty of chasing a choice only to live with the consequences. Listen below.
The band came about when frontman Taylor Kingman ("T.K."), who had been regularly performing at the Portland bar Laurelthirst Public House for some time, wanted to build a bigger sound around the rollicking glory of barroom rock.
He tapped drummer Tyler Thompson and multi-instrumentalists Jay Cobb Anderson (lead guitar, harmonica), Lewi Longmire (bass, guitar, pedal steel, flugelhorn, mellotron, lap steel) and Sydney Nash (keys, bass, slide guitar, cornet) to form the Holy Know-Nothings.
The band are preparing to release their new album The Incredible Heat Machine on Oct. 15 via Mama Bird Recording Co. Ahead of its release, Kingman spoke with Holler about growing up in a small Oregon town, his dream collaborations and what the band has planned this year.
Where are you from?
I’m from St. Paul, a rodeo town of about 400 people in Oregon.
What did you listen to growing up?
I wanted to be a guitarist before I got sad and found my way to making up songs. I listened to a lot of blues and classic rock. My father was constantly grilling me about who was playing on the radio and baiting me with pocket change. We were always hunting for records and standing in concert lines.
Did you ever want to do something other than music?
Maybe be [gambler and gunfighter] Doc Holliday...or Batman.
Are you more creative when you’re happy or when you’re sad?
Hard to say. Sad and happy foster different types of creativity. Getting the right sway between is key.
In general which comes first for you, the title or the song?
It goes back and forth.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
Michael Hurley, Terry Allen or Willie Nelson.
What’s next?
We get back on the road on Sep. 15 and our second full-length record The Incredible Heat Machine comes out on Oct. 15.
Catch T.K. and the Holy Know-Nothings on tour through early Nov.
