| John Hollier & The Rêverie have released their new album Rainmaker, out now via Thirty Tigers. Blending rock, soul, and alt-country, the record marks a defining moment for Hollier — a sound shaped on the road and brought into sharp focus in the studio. Originally from rural Louisiana, Hollier has spent years refining his voice as both a songwriter and performer. With Rainmaker, that evolution comes fully into view. Early reactions have been strong, with Blues Matters calling the album “an honest, resonant listen built on heart, grit, and truth,” while Country Music News International describes it as “a powerful, melancholic triumph… essential listening.” Rather than leaning into heavy production, Hollier and his band focused on feel and restraint, allowing the songs to breathe and the performances to lead. “I think the band did a great job staying restrained — not overplaying anything,” Hollier says. “It created a bed of sound that really lets the vocals carry the story. But it still feels modern, even with that New Orleans soul influence in there.” That identity is built on feel — the kind that can’t be forced. “When we’re onstage, there’s chemistry, there’s energy — something you can’t fake,” Hollier says. “I didn’t always give that enough credit. It’s effortless in a way that’s hard to recreate in the studio.” Hollier grew up on a crawfish farm in Louisiana, surrounded by church music, family gatherings, and local musicians. After touring regionally across the U.S. and Canada, he moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting, eventually forming The Rêverie. Named after the Old French word rêver (“to dream”), The Rêverie reflects a creative space where songs are driven by instinct and emotion. That spirit runs throughout Rainmaker, giving the album a sense of immediacy and authenticity. With the album now out, Hollier is focused on bringing the songs back to the stage — where they continue to evolve. “The last thing you want to do is sound like everybody else,” he says. “Once you figure out what makes you different and lean into it — that’s how you find your sound.” Rainmaker is available now on all platforms, with vinyl and CD editions also available. |