Big Crown Vaults Vol. 3 - Holy Hive

Holy Hive released two full length albums and one EP in the short span of 3 years and then they decided to disband. In 2019, while recording their debut album, world renown harpist Mary Lattimore was in NY. They got together in the studio on a whim and wound up recording their Harping EP in a few days.

They followed that up with their 2020 full length debut Float Back To You which became an instant cult classic and de­ned their unique “Folk Soul” sound. Frontman Paul Spring’s tender falsetto and maverick guitar playing over Homer Steinweiss’ incomparable drumming and production proved to be a match made in heaven and created a sound that piqued the ears and charmed the hearts of all those who heard it. By the time they started recording their sophomore album, COVID, commitments, and life started taking their toll on the band.

Spring and Steinweiss took their sound and pushed it way forward on their eponymous 2nd album, keeping the anchor of their sound they established while exploring where else they could take it. Unbeknownst to the public, by the time that record was released, the band was done and had moved on to other things individually. 

Big Crown Vaults Vol. 3 : Holy Hive digs into the treasure trove of unreleased recordings and pulls some that never saw their way to vinyl and in all honesty, this is not even half of what is in there. These recordings were made during their two album sessions largely, some were recorded before they even signed to Big Crown. The compilation kicks off with the tune that started it all on the label, their smashing cover of The Invincibles “This Is My Story” that was previously only on a 7”. “Love It Is Not Love”, “Middle Of The Night”, “Celeste”, and their cover of “Kingdom Of The Sun” all feature guest vocals by Shanny of The Shacks who had started playing bass with them at their live shows and sitting in on a lot of the recording sessions. “The Shame” features

Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes on bass and El Michels Affair on ‑ute, the latter also plays on “A Perfect Space”. At one point in time the would turn the live show over to Paul Spring who would perform the Irish folk tune “Red Is The Rose” in a traditional style with just him singing and playing acoustic guitar and then launch into their rendition of the song that is on Float Back To You.

Released: September 2023
Cat: BCR148LP  
Label: Big Crown Records

Listen

Tracklist

 

Side A
1 This Is My Story
2. Love It Is Not Love
3. Green Milk
4. Red Is The Rose (Folk Version)
5. The Shame
6. Swimmer

Side B
7. Celeste
8. Kingdom Of The Sun
9. Middle Of The Night
10. A Perfect Space
11. Driftless
12. End Of Time