Tell Us about:

Your latest single you have released:

“The Unfortunate Rake” is a ballad which has been sung since around the year 1790 in Ireland, England and Scotland, then migrated over the last few centuries to America and some scattered locations in Europe. It was originally a testimonial, cautionary tale about the dangers of hanging out with the “wrong crowd” and engaging in various vices. I believe the original song was written about contracting syphilis from a prostitute, but other renditions have focused on drinking or gambling as well. My version tends to focus more on the drinking.,  

I relate to the contrast expressed in the song—the narrator is at their deathbed and seemingly repentant after a life of vice but is simultaneously braggadocious as they enter their doom. I love that contradiction. It points to the complexity of human nature, that we can be more than one thing at once, or occupy two seemingly opposing spaces at once. 

Your favourite lyric in this song: 

“Give me four sturdy brewers 

To bear up my coffin

Give me four sturdy brewers 

To carry me along

I want them to carry a bunch of white roses 

So no one can smell me as I pass along”

Because it is the verse that I doctored myself from the original folk song, and is in reference to the four brewers who operate my local brewery.  

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

That is a really hard question because my favorite stuff tends to always be what I’m working on now, although there are definitely some great tracks in my back catalog. 

On this record, “Blacksmith” I find to be very emotionally moving and energetic.

From the Beau James Wilding catalog, I enjoy an under sung track called “Cross-Eyed Heart” because it goes from slow and very deep drone heavy to a faster, spastic charge. 

Your favourite song to play live:

The darkest and most energetic ones. Perhaps from this upcoming release, “The Lowlands of Holland”. I play a solo in that one that is a lot of fun for me. 

The song that was the longest to write and why?

I have been playing “Blacksmith” for probably around 12 – 13 years. Learning this song from the Planxty record was a huge stepping stone for me musically because up until that point I never thought I could learn the song due to its complexity. But I finally did learn it after probably what was an inordinate amount of time, at which point I played it over and over for years, trying out different ways of expressing it vocally and musically, trying different riffs and musical elements for the break. The rendition on “A Wicked Huntsman” reflects the version I finally became comfortable with and proud of because it sums up the feeling of loss and betrayal in a musical feeling tone that I love. 

The why is related to imposter syndrome—not thinking that I could learn the song, not thinking that I was good enough to even play the song because I’m not Irish and I often doubt my capability as a player. It took a long time of exposure to the song to gain the confidence to make it my own. 

One of your previous tracks you would recommend for first time listeners of your music and why? 

“Set Myself on Fire” or “Failed to Lotus” are pretty popular ones from the Beau James Wilding catalog. They have great energy and a catchy hook. 

From this record, I’d say “The Lowlands of Holland” due to the driving and theatrical nature of it. It has a palpable feeling of mourning to me. 

Dream collaboration:

Extremely difficult question. Smote, Cirith Ungol, Lankum, Neurosis all come to mind. 

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

Like I’m in the right place and I’m about to have the opportunity to give of myself and my love to the entire universe, to connect with everyone in the room and offer up my completely vulnerable self to them. And all of the responsibility and trepidation that goes with that. I’m concerned with making the offering of my heart and my art as fully expressive and vulnerable as possible, and if it’s not, I feel I’ve failed myself and the audience. 

The track that is most fun to play live:

Of the new material, probably this one, “Unfortunate Rake” because of how fiery it is!

Essential items you always take on tour with you?

The Tao Te Tsing. My Victor reader (music player for the blind). 

Describe your fans in three words:

Sensitive, big-hearted, passionate.

A song released in the last few years by an artist or band you wish you had written:

“Mendicamentum” by Andy the Doorbum. It’s very sad but very poignant. 

What we can look forward to from you this year:  

After the release of “A Wicked Huntsman” on vinyl, I plan to book as many shows as I can and do some traveling with the band to play up and down the west coast. Anybody in the drone, doom, folk or just DIY underground music in general world want to play a show together, hit me up. Let’s do this!

There are many positive reviews of the restaurant staying it is a ‘taste experience’ and the smoked bacon brings it all together.

---

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!)