Having never seen HM&TC before and hearing that they were appearing at this year's Beautiful Days festival, we thought it would be a great chance to have a chat to vocalist & fiddle player Ruth Patterson about what festivals mean to her, who they're looking forward to seeing this year and the BEST way to clear a hangover!
You’re called Holy Moly and the Crackers, please tell me how you came up with this name?
The other singer, Conrad, is fully responsible for the name. He surprise-introduced us as Holy Moly & The Crackers at our first ever show in a pals kitchen at university, many moons ago without checking with anyone first. We have never come up with anything else that sums us up quite as well so it seems to have stuck. It doesn’t make any sense but neither do we half the time!
What have you been up to so far this year?
Well, it has been our busiest year so far but we’ve had the best time! We kicked off the year with a month long tour in Europe: starting in the Isle of Man then performing in Germany, France and Italy followed by a short tour of the UK. We made our debut at Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings which remains a highlight, toured Scotland and then we’ve been getting stuck into the 30+ show festival season. It’s our first year playing European festivals, we well as UK ones, and Colours of Ostrava in Czech Republic blew our tiny minds! It doesn’t ever really stop as we still have a packed out year to look forward to including our biggest ever headline tour of the UK in November. The craziest thing to happen all year was our single 'Cold Comfort Lane' was used as the main end title track in the Hollywood blockbuster, 'Oceans 8' starring Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Helena Bonham Carter, RIHANNA (!!) and a load of other legends. We were invited to the European Premiere. Now that was surreal!!
Standing in a field watching bands play on stages has become a big thing over the past few years especially in the UK, what do you think it is about music festivals that people enjoy so much?
It’s a change of scene so far removed from every day life. We love seeing all the crazy costumes and outfits that people wear in the crowds. It’s lovely to see people dancing like no ones watching, singing along even if they don’t quite know the words and generally letting loose. It’s always a great atmosphere!
Tell me your top three tips on how to survive a 3 day music festival?
We have stayed at so many festivals over the past 5 years that we tend not to camp anymore but we have said that Beautiful days is THE ONE this year!! We’re doing the whole thing. I think the main thing is to not over think it but if I had to give anyone advice:
1, let go and enjoy the noisy, muddy craziness,
2, don’t wait till you’ve drank all the pints to try put up your tent (from a lot of personal experience)
3, don’t stick to the programme of bands you wanna see…surprise yourself with unknown stuff.
What is the best thing to drink?
Daytime: Prosecco (I know it's a bit “la dee da” but everyone secretly agrees right?!)
Night time: cider or whiskey BOOM
And what's your best hangover cure?
Swimming in the sea! (our 2017 tour in Italy was very boozy, and jumping in the sea the morning after was a life saver - think its the salt!) Ha, failing that though, a morning Gin and Tonic
You’re playing at Beautiful Days Festival, which of the other acts performing are you hoping to catch whilst you’re there?
We take a lot of inspiration from Gogol Bordello so to see them again would be amazing. Looking forward to Shed Seven, Henge, and all the talks on the rebel tent sound really interesting. We’re also really excited to catch up with our pals SKINNY LISTER and SAM KELLY AND THE LOST BOYS. It should be a riot!
We’ve had a spell of amazing weather over the last 6 weeks with very little rain, what is your long range forecast for the weather at Beautiful Days this year?
Sun sun sun…come on!
Where can people keep up to date with you?
I know it’s mouth full but just type in the name and all this should come up, otherwise, our socials are listed below;
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holymolyandthecrackers/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holymolyandthecrackers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HolyMolyHQ
Website: https://www.holymolyandthecrackers.com/home
Lastly, please tell me WHY people should come and watch you when you perform at Beautiful Days
We can’t wait to play the Main Stage at Beautiful Days. We love a good party and hopefully you guys won’t be able to resist having a boogie with us. Our set has been described as raucous, energetic folk-rock full of foot-stomping tunes and indie bangers to get everyone going so…why not, eh?
We'd like to thank Ruth for sparing the time to chat to us and we wish her and the band every success at Beautiful Days, we'll be making sure that we're at the main stage to catch their set, I strongly suggest that you do the same!