Quantic

Biography

Will Holland, known by his stage name Quantic, was born in Bewdley, Worcestershire, England, into a musical household with two older sisters who played instruments, fostering his early interest in music. Growing up beside the River Severn, he developed a passion for record collecting and set up a makeshift bedroom studio, experimenting with various sounds. At age 16, he began his career releasing downtempo and instrumental beats on 45 records with labels like Breakin Bread Records ('We Got Soul') and later Tru Thoughts, marking his entry into production, DJing, and remixing.[1][2][5][6]

Holland moved to Brighton in the early 2000s, where he evolved his sound through funk, soul, and Afrobeat with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, releasing albums like 'Pushin On' featuring collaborators such as Alice Russell and Spanky Wilson. In 2005, he collaborated on the salsa track 'Mi Swing Es Tropical' with Nickodemus. Relocating to Cali, Colombia in 2007, he immersed himself in cumbia, salsa, and Afro-Colombian rhythms, establishing Sonido del Valle studio and forming projects like Quantic y Su Combo Bárbaro with Alfredo Linares and Nidia Gongora, and co-founding Ondatropica with Mario Galeano. Albums such as 'Tropidelico,' 'Magnetica,' and 'Atlantic Oscillations' reflect his fusion of electronic, Latin, jazz, and soul elements.[1][2][3][4][5]

Now based in New York after years in Colombia, Holland continues as a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, accordion), producer, and DJ, with over 17 studio albums across aliases like Flowering Inferno and The Western Transient. His work bridges global heritage with progressive electronic production, earning international acclaim through tours, residencies, and innovative live bands.[2][5][7]

Fun Facts

• Started his music career at age 16 with his debut 45 'We Got Soul' on Breakin Bread Records.
• 'Mi Swing Es Tropical' gained worldwide exposure in a 2007 iTunes commercial and the 2014 film 'Chef'.
• Built Sonido del Valle studio in Cali, Colombia, and later 'Selva' in Brooklyn, New York.
• Produced a 2011 EP 'Hiphop en Cumbia' tributing hip-hop favorites with accordion-laden cumbia styles.

Associated Acts

• Capstone
• The Quantic Soul Orchestra
• Quantic and his Combo Bárbaro - original

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Alice Russell - frequent vocal collaborator on soul and psychedelic projects ('Pushin On', 'Look Around the Corner') [2000s-2011]
• Spanky Wilson - featured US soul singer on Quantic Soul Orchestra albums ('I’m Thankful') [2000s]
• Alfredo Linares - salsa pianist in live band (Quantic y Su Combo Bárbaro) [2007 onward]
• Nidia Gongora - Pacific folklore singer in band and projects (Quantic y Su Combo Bárbaro, Quantic & Nidia Góngora) [2007 onward]
• Mario Galeano - co-founder of Ondatropica band (Ondatropica albums) [2010s]
• Nickodemus - producer on salsa track ('Mi Swing Es Tropical') [2005]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bossa-nova, #contemporary-jazz, #cumbia