Hollow Coves Brunch

SAMO Fund in partnership with the National Park Foundation hosted an intimate brunch for a meet-and-greet followed by a special acoustic performance by award-winning Australian duo Hollow Coves at Peter Strauss Ranch for friends of SAMO Fund.

The duo consisting of Ryan Hendersen and Matt Carins began composing music over ten years ago in a garage which they uploaded online before going their separate ways to Canada and the U.K. Their music rapidly went viral on Spotify resulting in meteoric fame and a record deal. This inspired the pair to decide to stay in their respective countries but record music together long distance before officially becoming a band in 2013.

They released their first EP, Drifting, in 2014 quickly garnering an international following for their single In the Woods, and reunited in Australia. Hollow Coves’ albums include Moments released in 2019 and Nothing to Lose, released in 2024. Their EPs Wanderlust and Blessings were released in 2017 and 2021, respectively.

Hollow Coves is currently touring the United States with the goal of championing the importance of our National Park’s landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites. For every concert they perform on their Nothing to Lose North American tour proceeds from concert tickets go towards benefitting national parks in the U.S. The SMMNRA was the last stop in their tour and they were joined by Juliet Gilliam, Vice President of Media and Entertainment Partnerships for the National Park Foundation.

“There’s something about being in nature that kind of stills you and refocuses you to the beauty of the world,” said Matt, “We wanted to create awareness that if we aren’t protecting these places, we’re going to lose something so special.”

During their set, they performed Coastline, Blessings and On the Way, taking time to explain the significance of each song, all of which were inspired by the beauty of Australia’s beaches and wildlife. They received a standing ovation with the audience chanting “Encore!” so the group treated them to one more song.

Moments, as Matt explained was inspired by a trip to Norway where the group, on their final day felt tired but instead of resting, decided to spend their last moments hiking Mount Fløyen, where they witnessed a gorgeous sunset that only got more colorful and magnificent as they journeyed closer to the mountain’s summit.

After the brunch, the duo took a private hike at Paramount Ranch, the only “motion picture site” in the National Park Service system.

Photos (1-12) credit: Kat Kwan