The Quadroholics’ newest album “Blink and You’ll Miss It” is a vivid collection of personal stories interwoven with hypnotic melodies and captivating verses. Authentic, raw and mesmerizing, this 15-song album plays as one continuous track, though each song is its own unique soundscape to be explored and experienced.
The Quadroholics masterfully present life’s inevitable realities, nostalgic memories and disillusioned daydreams in a kaleidoscope of sound so unique they’re basically creating their own genre. The sound is best described as a cosmic gumbo–with flavors of electronic, rock, synth pop, post-punk, hip hop and then some. Listening to “Blink and You’ll Miss It” is an experience that activates parts of your psyche you didn’t even know existed all while transporting you into another dimension.
Who are The Quadroholics’ Billy Kurth and Hayden Stelly? The two are life-long friends who wrote and produced the full-length album, which features a variety of artists.
BILLY KURTH AND HAYDEN STELLY IN 2016
You’ll hear The Iceman Special’s Will Murry on guitar in “Howl at the Moon.” Other standout tracks are “American Dream,” “Ego Death” and “I Saw Myself.” The fusion between Kurth and Stelly’s inimitable sound and clever, poetic songwriting blends so effortlessly you’d think it was meant to be. In many ways, it was.
The duo’s origin story is as intriguing and authentic as their latest work. Both from Moss Bluff, Kurth and Stelly were childhood neighbors born only one month apart. They were best friends before they could speak and they’ve been interested in creating things for as long as they can remember. In 2007, while in middle school, they started writing and creating movies. Janitor Man, their most memorable series, is a whole trilogy (if you know, you know).
By 2009, the pair shifted from films to music, forming The Quadroholics. “One of our first songs was a diss track we wrote about a teacher in high school,” recalls Kurth. “We had that classic student/teacher rivalry, and she gave me some creative inspiration to write. We rapped the diss to an instrumental of Eminem’s ‘The Real Slim Shady.’ I cooked her; even the principals bought CDs.”
The Quadroholics took a hiatus from music but reunited in 2015 when they performed for Stelly’s birthday at Luna Live. That night, they crossed paths with Colton Schexneider, and another lifelong friendship was solidified. With Schexneider’s guidance, The Quadroholics started performing more live shows frequently around Lake Charles. Schexneider would eventually become their booking manager and is still an integral part of the team today.
“Sometimes, I’ll put on a Quadroholics album when I’m cutting my grass and I’ll start crying listening to it,” says Schexneider. “Their music is therapeutic, and it’s awesome the way they put themselves out there and express themselves.”
It’s true. The Quadroholics have never held back on their self-expression or storytelling even while continually transforming their genre throughout the years. The Quadroholics’ previous work “Bring Your Friends” (2018) is pure hip hop; “Aurora” (2020) is a synth-pop rap hybrid and “Europa” (2022) is a mixture of electronic, post-punk and rock.
Hayden, Colton and Billy AT THE ALBUM RELEASE IN NOLA
Despite their evolution, The Quadroholics consistently maintain their roots and aren’t afraid to explore unlikely combinations of genres and influences, as reflected in “Blink and You’ll Miss It.”
“The most rewarding thing has not only been our friendship, but performing live shows and going on tours,” Kurth and Stelly agree. Today, The Quadroholics are headlining various shows, performing at festivals and packing venues with fans.
The Quadroholics’ lore is a testament of true friendship and authentic artistry that transcends time. Kurth and Stelly’s ability to maintain their unfiltered creativity throughout the changing seasons of life is inspiring, and “Blink and You’ll Miss It” is a vibe that sticks with you long after the music stops.
You can find “Blink and You’ll Miss It” on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and all other streaming platforms. The Quadroholics are performing at Fete Du Void on Saturday October 5.
By Sam Palovich
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