The Obelisk Questionnaire: Alex Hölzinger of TOOMS
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Alex Hölzinger of TOOMS
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
The short answer is Slippery Metal. That phrase kinda started as a joke, but I guess over time it became true. We find it hard to pin down exactly what genre we play. We have such varied taste in music, and not just in metal. I would like to think that that eclectic taste an be heard in the music. We all met about 10 years ago while studying fine art and we jammed here and there over the years. Played a couple shows at house parties and some small venues. Even recorded an EP. But we never really took it too seriously. When we re-branded as TOOMS about 4 or 5 years ago, we got more focused, began writing more songs. We set goals for ourselves as a band. Got better at our instruments. Began making merch etc. It is in constant development, and I love where it is and where it’s going. That said, we are still not taking it too seriously haha.
Describe your first musical memory.
As a kid, maybe 3 or 4, I had a tennis racket that I would play as a guitar while running around the apartment listening to Die Toten Hosen’s – Ein Kleines Bisschen Horrorschau. Definitely my first introduction to guitar music. Where it all started to go wrong I suppose haha.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
As a band, I’m sure I can speak for all three of us when I say getting to close out the Jagger Stage at Bloodstock 2022. That definitely felt good. So cool to bring our weird sounding band to a bigger stage and get a positive reaction. The first time we where invited to play The Siege of Limerick was also a milestone for us. Maybe recording our first full-length too. We unfortunately released it during global lockdown, and never got to do an album launch or anything, but the experience of being in a studio and everything that goes along with that was great. We learned A LOT while making T.O.O.M.S.
As a personal memory, I would have to say seeing Soundgarden followed by Black Sabbath in 2012, to this day, crowd surfing the length and breadth of that enormous crowd during Paranoid, highlight of my life. Seeing Sleep for the first time was a spiritual thing too. That band has some of the most amazing lore. Dopesmoker to this day remains the Mac Daddy of stoner doom.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Wow, that is a great question. I could get real dark on this one (#128517#)
But I guess I’ll just say this, no matter how hard things get, they always get easier. Pressure forms diamonds folks.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Better art, or rather more refined art. You learn how say more with less.
How do you define success?
Success to me is being happy and content, and being proud of what you do and how you do it. Leading a simple life without any unnecessary stress.
Also driving a sports car and owning a huge house with gold toilets and marble floors, filled with lots of expensive vases and a jet ski. Oh and various exotic pattés in the double door fridges you have in each room of your 16 room mansion. Hmmm, maybe being buried in one of those limited edition KISS coffins, that is pretty fuckin’ successful.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
I saw GZA preforming Liquid Swords in its entirety. That was once one of my favorite hip-hop albums. Haven’t been able to listen to it since.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Music that sells (#128517#) I joke I joke.
I have been meaning to make this lamp/sculpture from a log and LEDs. I have been drying it for a number of years, and I think it’s about ready to go. More music with TOOMS obviously too, we have enough material for a second album, pretty much ready to go.
I’d love to get into making short films too, and score them myself. I have made a couple music videos and really enjoyed the process. From filming to editing. Imagine a spaghetti western meets an art house ambient kind of thing. Beyond the Black Rainbow meets the Dollars Trilogy, something like that.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To make the viewer/listener think, feel or question. And to allow the creator to express and share freely. Sometimes it’s a pure cathartic release, other times it’s an idea manifest and shared. Abstract or more on the nose, doesn’t matter, subconsciously, it’s a release. At least if it’s made with passion and integrity. I also believe that once art is created, it’s left into the world, and will survive longer than its maker, so you get to leave a part of yourself behind. Always thought that was pretty cool.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Dinner.
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