HOLLOW JAN - From Heavy Screams To Unconditional Hope... (South Korea - Screamo/Post HardCore - Interview with Im Hwan-Taek).

Hello ! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how you discovered extreme music?
My name is Im Hwan-Taek, and I’m the lead singer of Hollow Jan. The band formed toward the end of 2003. What drew me to extreme music was its ability to push the expression of emotions to the absolute limit.

If you had to go to a deserted island with only three albums, which ones would you choose and why?

Luke Howard — "Sun, Cloud"
Iron & Wine — "Beast Epic"
The Paper Kites — "Roses"

These are albums that evoke a sense of calm, nature, and travel for me. The Paper Kites, in particular, influenced the lyrics for “Dreambound Tides.” Hollow Jan’s more recent direction also leans toward a form of unconditional hope.

How did Hollow Jan form, and how would you describe the band’s dynamic today?
The singer, drummer, and bassist had already been playing together before. We met a guitarist through a mutual acquaintance, and our different tastes eventually converged. The band’s lineup has evolved over time, particularly in response to the realities of each member’s life.
Today, Hollow Jan consists of five members: vocals, two guitars, bass, and drums. Our priority remains simple: to make the music we want to make.

How would you describe your music to someone who doesn’t know you?
Our music can be calm, but it can also be very heavy. For us, screaming is a deeply human expression of emotion. We seek to build melodic arcs that lead to a form of catharsis, with a Korean—and, more broadly, East Asian—emotional sensibility.

What are your main influences when writing lyrics?
The lyrics come from our environment, the people around us, our own experiences, but also those of others, as well as books and movies. Among the Korean poets who have influenced me, I can mention Choi Seung-ja and Lee Byung-ryul.
I prefer that listeners project their own experiences onto our lyrics rather than imposing a single meaning on them. An image like the sea, for example, can evoke something different for everyone.

Which album would you recommend to discover Hollow Jan?
I’d recommend our debut album, “Rough Draft in Progress,” because it best represents the breadth of our music. I’d also add our recent track “Dreambound Tides.”

Can you tell us a bit about “Dreambound Tides” and its cover art?
The first demo was recorded early last year, and the full track was recorded early this year. The instruments were recorded at home, and the vocals were recorded in a studio.
The song is about relentlessly moving toward a dream. The waves represent that continuous effort. The cover art was created by Mull, the wife of our guitarist Lee Gwang-jae, who offered an abstract interpretation of the lyrics.
The track was first released as a digital single. A physical edition was then prepared for our French tour; it will also be available for purchase via Instagram and at our concerts along with the rest of our merchandise.

Are you currently working on new songs?
We’re working on our third album. The demos were finished last year, but the recording was delayed due to tours and concerts. We’ve mentioned a release next year, though we can’t confirm it yet. Our immediate goal is, above all, to successfully and safely complete this French tour.

What are your dreams for the band’s future?
We’d love to play at major festivals like Coachella, Glastonbury, or Rock am Ring. More broadly, we want to maintain an environment that allows the band to keep making the music it wants to make.

What was your best concert? And the worst?
Our best recent memory is last year’s Asian Pop Festival. That concert served as the catalyst for many of the opportunities we have today. As for the worst show, we haven’t really had one yet.

What are your upcoming shows?
In France, we’ll be playing in four cities from August 14 to 18, at both clubs and festivals, including the Motocultor Festival. (Sorry for the delay in publishing the interview… – Ed).
We’ll then play in Korea at Zandari Festa on September 5, at the Block Party Festival on September 12, and at The Sub Festival on October 11.

How do you view the local Korean scene, and which bands would you recommend?
The local Korean scene is currently experiencing strong growth across many genres. We recommend the electronic duo Fat Hamster & Kang New, as well as the Korean screamo band Palecistus.

Any final words for our readers?
We’re Hollow Jan, a Korean screamo band. Listen to our music and come see us live. Even if we lose hope and fall, one day we’ll get back up!

Credits :
Band Photo : @ryuhaewon
Live Photo 1 : @chris_isu_m
Live Photo 2 : @analog_invasion
Live Photo 3 : @analog_invasion
Live Photo 4 : @analog_invasion