With its soft cream walls, hardwood floors, and fully functional kitchen, the New York office of Dreamworks Records feels more like a cozy apartment than the headquarters of a record label. But on this particular afternoon in the dead of winter, the normally serene office is abuzz with activity as it prepares for the release of Dave Hollister's sophomore project, Chicago 85 the Movie.
People pace about frantically, cell phones ring agitatedly, and pagers are agog with messages.
But amidst the electric frenzy, Hollister remains calm. After all, with 15 years of professional musical experience under his belt, he knows that this type of stuff comes with the job. Hollister smiles warmly as he continues to make his way into the room and takes a seat on the small gray sofa casually placed in the office, only to have food arrive moments later. Comfortably seated, he offers some chicken wings to everyone in the room before digging in. I just can't do music like that.