Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: To start a career in music wasn’t really a conscious decision – I have, for as long as I can remember, written and created music. It’s such an inherent part of me that I have to do it, I have to write and create and play – if I can make a career out of it then what a brilliant bonus.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of HOLT in three words?
A: Bangers, ethereal, cinematic
Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?
A: It’s fantastic when something you’re really happy with musically resonates with listeners. Seeing the engagement and receiving messages of support really helps to validate what you’re doing and to keep going, keep creating, keep making music that people will listen to.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘The Storm’. Is there a story behind it?
A: The Storm explores the idea of negative thoughts and feelings taking over before the day has even had a chance to begin. That feeling of starting the day optimistically but then, when negative feelings hit, you’re strapped into something you have little control over. These mindsets are so powerful and can really overwhelm.
Q: What is your favorite verse from the single and why?
A: For me, verse 1 packs a powerful punch. Immediately storming in with “It slips away, your sense of an ordinary day” – it straight away sets the scene for the chaotic narrative lyrically, and the sound instantly packs a punch.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the single, “The Storm”?
A: I originally wrote the track on piano and initially it was much slower with a melancholic, wistful quality to it. The vision for the album was to create some uplifting tracks, some bangers, and some tracks that were an evolution musically for me – so upping the pace, adding a gutsy bass and some solid 90s inspired beats transformed it into a confident stomper of a track.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: Silo was a song I released in 2019 on the EP Heavy Water. I went into the studio with 5 chords and not much else, but it quickly evolved into what I think is one of my most interesting tracks. The chorus has no vocals in it, instead formed out of very lush, soaring synths. We made a wonderful video for it, filmed down in Dungeness – quite an otherworldly place – which perfectly fitted the feel of the song.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into HOLT’s unique approach to crafting music From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: In terms of process, I have learned to be patient and gentle with the writing and creative process. Even if no ideas are presenting themselves, I continue sitting at the piano/Ableton just plugging away – under the surface, ideas will be forming. It is often in the last 5 minutes of a writing session that something special will appear, which likely wouldn’t have happened without the hours put in beforehand. I use Ableton which is a really intuitive and creative resource – and can lose myself for days experimenting with the sounds in Omnisphere.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for HOLT, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: The album has been two years in the making, it’s a massive step up for me in every possible sense and so incredibly chuffed with how it’s turned out. Exploring themes of transition and personal evolution – from emotional upheaval to my own profound journey into motherhood – I’m so excited to share this with listeners. I feel a great privilege that people are interested in hearing what I’ve made – there will be SO much more music coming out this year – so stay listening!
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