Gary Holldman explores hypnotic techno forms on debut album Traveler

After more than 15 years of studio work and releasing EP’s, Gary Holldman presents his debut album, Traveler —a deeply personal 10-track LP shaped by a long-standing affinity for hypnotic, stripped-back techno.

Drawing on the emotional depth of Detroit techno while avoiding familiar club tropes, Traveler unfolds as a cohesive listening experience rather than a collection of peak-time tools. Built around subtle modulation, evolving textures and finely tuned rhythmic detail, the album balances energy with introspection, allowing each track to develop patiently and with intent.

Gary Holldman (Szymon) presents a deeply personal musical travel diary, moving away from generic club techno clichés. Szymon takes us on a journey that is a surgical exploration of sound, where every layer is stripped of unnecessary fat. 

Holldman describes the record as a reflection of both his creative process and his relationship with sound:

“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 more focused, methodical approach became the foundation of Traveler, with each track completed individually before moving on to the next. The concept of travel—both physical and internal—runs throughout the record, shaping its narrative and atmosphere.

The main genre I work in is techno, but that doesn’t mean the album has to be uniform and predictable. I realize that such an approach can be effective, but it’s not my style — for me, an LP consisting of ten similar tracks would simply be too boring. My record  kicks off  with the track ‘Sand’, which is  far away from dancefloor bangers — it’s definitely closer to a beach after-party. ‘Tribe’ is dynamic techno with tribal accents, followed by ‘Bui Vien’ — broken and massive.I wanted this album to have ‘a lot of music within the music’ — so that not everything was obvious and predictable, but as a whole it all fits together, like in a good book.

The album will be released via International Day Off  on Bandcamp ( 13.05.’26 – digital and 15.05.- vinyl), the label Holldman co-founded in 2015. Known for its understated aesthetic and carefully curated catalogue, the imprint has built a reputation for hypnotic, minimal-leaning techno from both Polish and international artists. 

Traveler will be available as a double vinyl release, as well as digitally and on streaming platforms.

Active since the late 2000s, Holldman first gained recognition through releases on German labels and performances connected to Tresor-affiliated events.  His productions have since received support from artists including Sven Väth, Laurent Garnier, DVS1 and Marcel Dettmann, while coverage from platforms such as Mixmag, GROOVE and XLR8R has highlighted the depth and versatility of his sound.

Alongside his solo work, Holldman continues to develop projects across different formats, including recent collaborations with the Italian brand Davines, where he composes original music for live presentations. With Traveler, he delivers his most complete statement to date—an album rooted in precision, patience and a long-term dedication to the craft of sound.

by Decoded Magazine

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