Bell Hollow bills their music as "bittersweet dream pop." The music certainly has a dream-like quality and wears it's shoegaze and new wave influences on it's proverbial sleeve like a badge of honor. The band was formed in 2003 by bassist Christopher Bollman and guitarist Greg Fasolino. Along the way Todd Karasik [drums], Hillary Johnson [producer/engineer and live keyboards] and finally, Nick Niles [vocals, guitars and keyboards] were added. In 2005 the line-up was complete. The band then signed to fiveo2 Records in New York City and released an ep Sons of the Burgess Shale in October 2006.

Their first full length, Foxgloves was recorded at Water Music in the summer of 2007.

Greg Fasolino says that one reviewer had an interesting take on their music.

"[He] said Bell Hollow was 'music to burn love letters to,' and that seems fairly accurate to me," he says. "We try to make music that is dreamy and moody, that hits people with that sort of bittersweet, indefinable frisson of emotion."

When it comes to playing live Fasolino only uses one guitar.

"I exclusively use a cherry burst Gibson Les Paul Classic 1960 reissue edition which I bought in 2002 and haven't put down since. It's the most lush and creamy guitar I've ever tried, and the slim neck suits me really well," he says. "I run the Paul through a Fender Twin Reverb II that I bought brand new in 1984 and have been using since then. It's had a few overhauls over the years, rewiring and re-tubing, but it still sounds huge and clean and spacious, the way I like it. I need lots of reverb and only want subtle natural distortion, so the amp is perfect."

When it comes to effects Fasolino is a big fan of vintage Boss Pedals.

"Nick uses one of those snazzy ME-50 all-in-one units, but I am loyal to the old-school single pedals. They sound lovely and last forever [I've owned some of these pedals for over 20 years]," says Fasolino. "From left to right, my array is Ernie Ball volume pedal, Boss DM-3 analog delay, Boss DD-3 digital delay, Boss TR-2 tremolo, Boss CE-2 chorus, Boss TU-2 tuner. I also play an e-bow on several Bell Hollow songs, so that has become one of my signature sounds as well."

Bassist Bollman put together his bass and seems to have something of an attachment to it.

"I play a copy of a Gibson '60s style non-reverse Thunderbird which I built this year," says Bollman. "It's all white with a black headstock, '60s style humbuckers from the Duncan custom shop and loaded with chrome; known as The Beast. It's my precious."

He then made a "gollum" noise in his throat and bit off one of Fasolino's fingers [I made this part up . . . maybe].

The other half of the rhythm section uses a Yamaha Stage Custom 5-piece.

"I am not loyal to any cymbal brand at the moment." says Karasik.

Any cymbal makers who would like to convince him are welcome to post comments or offer an endorsement.

Nick Niles says, "I play a black Epiphone Dot through a Roland JC120." Lead singers can be very enigmatic. But you cannot argue with the choice of a Epiphone Dot. They are inexpensive and they sound great.

More with Bell Hollow on studio gear, "dream" gear and more soon.