The local band Holly and the Night Owls has come a long way. From its start with humble Holly Figueroa playing solo show several years ago, the group has grown to become a three-piece band.

Caleb Swank, bass player for the group, was first invited to play last spring. After hearing Figueroa at a previous performance, Swank could not say no.

“The first show I actually saw in Ames was one Holly was playing, and I absolutely fell in love with her songs and was really excited about it,” Swank said.

Holly Figueroa is the chief songwriter in Holly and the Night Owls. Figueroa has many influences, and tries to include multiple styles into her songwriting.

“I think I definitely have a tendency to pull in small pieces of everything that I like,” Figueroa said, “which is going to be pretty diverse, at least musically. I have some trends or some certain kinds of sounds, like the black keys [on the piano].”

Figueroa also noted a literal “personal” aspect of her more current songs. The lyrical content has become more about people.

“I’d say over half the songs are about certain people: specific situations, people that are close to me and things that have happened in my life,” Figueroa said. “And I don’t tend to finish a song until the event is completed.”

Swank said the songs are all songs written independently by Figueroa and then brought into band rehearsal for finishing touches.

“Vedran and I, he’s the drummer and I play bass, really just work out the grooves underneath it,” Swank said. “We all have our creative outlets in the band.”

Relaxation is key for Holly and the Night Owls style and feel when they play. Swank notes a very calming atmosphere when the band rehearses or while playing live.

“When we all hang out, when we practice, when we play live, everything gets really relaxed,” Swank said. “We’re all really busy people and it’s a place for us to unwind and we hope to offer that to people that hear our songs.”

Tune into KURE, Friday, October 26, to hear Holly and the Night Owls perform live on air.