In response to Outformation’s auspicious entrance to the music world, the rising stars were named “Best New Band” of 2005 Honest Tune Magazine’s reader’s poll, and Tennessee Before Daylight was nominated for “Best Album” by the editorial staff of the same publication. When talking to producer/keyboardist Jojo Hermann, about Outformation he is quick to reference the dynamic six-string skills of Sam Holt. “Sam’s got that hypnotic thing,” says Hermann. “He kinda gets into that trance when he plays, and all my favorite guitar players have that ability to somewhat become hypnotized themselves. Mikey [Houser] and Junior Kimbrough - there was a hypnotic thing, and I think Sam has that. It’s a big part of what drew me to him."

Regardless of whether Holt developed his confident, “hypnotic” style by touring with Outformation, learning at the foot of Michael Houser, playing numerous times with Widespread Panic, or by simply tapping into the music in his head, it’s a driving factor to the Outformation sound. Having already played for packed stadiums with tens of thousands of screaming fans, Holt is ready to lead Outformation to the masses.

Listening to Holt speak of the future, you can hear the excitement in his voice. “I definitely feel it… I see something; I’m on my tiptoes looking at something, can’t quite make it out, but something’s out there.” Although Holt may not quite be able to see it, what he’s looking at is the sound of Outformation making it. Outformation is a band on the brink of something big. -Aaron Kayce, jambase.com