After more than 15 years of dedicated studio work and a steady stream of EPs, Gary Holldman has finally unveiled his debut album, Traveler. This 10-track LP serves as a deeply personal exploration of the artist's long-standing affinity for hypnotic, stripped-back techno, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Rather than serving as a collection of high-energy club tools, Traveler is designed as a cohesive, immersive listening experience. Drawing inspiration from the emotional depth of Detroit techno while consciously avoiding generic club tropes, the album relies on subtle modulation, evolving textures, and meticulous rhythmic detail. The result is a project that balances raw energy with introspection, allowing each composition to develop with patience and clear intent.
Gary Holldman, also known as Szymon, describes the album as a musical travel diary. He emphasizes a shift away from the chaotic, pressure-filled production methods of his early career.
“My first releases came out in 2010. Back then, I worked in a rather chaotic way, driven by the excitement of releasing music on vinyl. Today, I take a more relaxed, detached approach — I create without pressure, usually starting from a specific idea that I develop step by step. I sit down in the studio with a coffee, switch on my synths and we ‘talk’ until we reach a conclusion together.”
This methodical approach is evident throughout the record. Holldman notes that he wanted to avoid the predictability of a uniform techno album, instead opting for a narrative flow similar to a well-written book. From the beach-inspired, downtempo textures of the opening track “Sand” to the broken, massive rhythms of “Bui Vien,” the album showcases a wide spectrum of sound while maintaining a singular aesthetic vision.
The album is released via International Day Off, the label Holldman co-founded in 2015. Known for its understated aesthetic and carefully curated catalog, the imprint continues to champion hypnotic, minimal-leaning techno from both Polish and international artists.
Traveler is available now as a double vinyl release, as well as across all major digital and streaming platforms. With this debut, Holldman delivers his most complete statement to date—a testament to precision, patience, and a long-term dedication to the craft of sound.
