Tell us about:

Your latest single you have released:

I just released “Beer in a Teacup”! 

We’re not fancy people, my mama and me. She drinks her instant coffee out of a big mug that says “world’ best grandma”. So imagine my surprise when I walked in on her, pinky up, sipping out of a Victorian teacup with a saucer. When I asked her where it came from she said “oh it was your grandmother’s. She drank her beer out of it”. My lil songwriter brain went “oooo sounds like a country song” and my genealogist brain went “how did I never know this fact about grandma”.

She died when I was 3, and I’ve always imagined her as someone didn’t give a damn what others thought. That’s who I wanna be. I’ve been far too concerned with the opinions of others for my whole life.  But somehow, through writing this song, it’s who I’ve become. 

Your favourite lyric in this song: 

I had to think about this for a bit! But it’s “don’t we all just hide our own mess with fancy dresses and leather boots”. I love moments in songs that feel communal, and I think most of us can relate to looking at other people and assuming they’ve got it more together than we do. Or thinking  “that person is so perfect! So beautiful! So fit! So smart!”…it’s helpful to remember that everybody has shit in their closet they don’t want the world to see.

Your favourite song that you have created that is an album track:

This one changes, but at the moment I am LOVING “One Becomes Two”. It’s going to be the third single from this record. I wrote it in a Starbucks drive through line and the drummer on the album told me it reminds him of 80’s roller skating rinks. It was one of those songs that came out it one piece, it felt like it wrote itself, and it paints a perfect picture of a certain time in my life. So proud of that one. 

Your favourite song to play live:

Most of the time I tour solo, but I’ve had a few band shows recently and “Beer in a Teacup” and “Gloria” felt positively EPIC playing live with the band. “Beer in a Teacup” because it’s such a fun jam-I was able to dance (which is a rarity for me!) and hot damn the slap bass part is so cool. “Gloria” felt like I was on a whole different level. It’s a bit of a sea shanty and we sang in 3 part harmony. It gave me goosebumps! I’m pretty sure that performance lives on YouTube if you’re curious about it!

The song that was the longest to write and why?

It was “Beer in a Teacup”!  The initial idea for the song came to me right when I saw my mum drinking out of the teacup. In that moment I knew the hook would be “pour my beer in a teacup and let it go”. But finding the verses…finding the way into writing the message…that took maybe a month. I think I finally discovered how I would write it in the shower. I also think it was the first time I wrote a song in the shower.

Your most emotional track:

“You and Me Talking”. My cousin Julie was my best friend growing up. Two shy, awkward little girls. In our 20’s we really leaned on each other. Our weekends were spent going for walks, dreaming about marrying the Hanson brothers (I’m only kind of kidding), going to Walmart and eating cheese and crackers at the 99 while we played SkipBo. 

At the time, none of those things felt important. But now that she’s moved across the country and our lives look different and I miss her, I realize how VERY important those things were. Our time together was such a sweet spot in my life. So this song is for her. 

Dream collaboration:

Gosh, I’ve lived this one! I got to write with Lori McKenna! You can’t find a better collaboration than that. 

Describe the feeling you get when you walk on stage to do a show:

Walking on stage feels like becoming my best self. I have never been a confident human. In fact as a child I hid behind my mother and when I was little enough I used to stick my head under her shirt. I was so afraid of people.

In many ways I still FEEL like that little kid on the inside. But when it’s time to perform it feels like I become the me I really want to be. I’m not afraid of anybody. It’s a wild thing and the reason performing is so addictive!

The hardest track to play live:

“Heartbreak Hell”. I think it sounds relatively easy to sing, but the chorus gets me right to the edge of my belting range. On a good vocal day it ain’t no thang, but some days I’ve really got to work for those notes. 

Essential items you always take on tour with you?

I’m such a little old lady. I bring a heating pad. But also my yoga mat and exercise bands! Trying to maintain as much of my home routine as possible is the goal because that’s the key to staying healthy on the road. And if I’m feeling particularly nerdy sometimes I bring my Nintendo Switch. I’d say 99% chance I bring it on this upcoming tour because I’m loving the new Zelda game. And now you know exactly how nerdy I am. 

Describe your fans in three words:

Supportive. Authentic. Fun. 

A song by another artist or band you wish you had written:

Can I pick two?! “Illegal Smile” by John Prine and “Trains I Missed” by Walt Wilkins.

What we can look forward to from your band this year: 

Saltwater Country the album! I’ve been working on this record for about 2 years and it’s been so hard keeping it to myself. I love it so much and can’t wait to see how it resonates with people. I’m also pretty pumped about the custom coffee blend we’re cooking up to celebrate the album.

Thank you again for all your support in reading and engaging with the website.

If you want to help support the website then you can! You can buy Holly a cup of tea (and a biscuit!)