Holly Havens: ‘Love Like This’ (Exclusive Interview)
1. Q: How did you get your start in music?
A: I've been singing ever since I could talk, and performing since I could walk. By the age of three, I had constructed a makeshift stage in my living room that I would use to put on singing and dancing performances with my cousins. When I turned five, my parents enrolled me in piano lessons. At age seven, I began writing my first original songs. I was involved in music all through school, performing in choirs, in the church band, and in every musical at the high school and local theatre I could fit into my schedule. It wasn't until I was at university, however, that I began sharing my original songs with people. I'm really thankful for the friends I met there who encouraged me to share my music. Doing so has opened up a whole new world for me!
2. Q: What is your music and movement all about?
A: My music interweaves elements of my personal experiences, observations of people and things, and philosophical reflections. Some of my music is quite fun and light-hearted, whilst some of it is more serious and introspective. My movement is all about acceptance, understanding and belonging. I want to help people embrace themselves as the unique individuals that they are and celebrate that.
3. Q: What was the hardest part of making this song?
A: The hardest part of making this song was figuring out which instruments to incorporate into it. I originally wrote this song on the piano, so I think I was so familiar with hearing it that way, it took me a while to expand my horizons and experiment with different instruments and sounds.
4. Q: What was the most enjoyable part of making this song?
A: That would have to be a tie between working with the incredible producer Roy Hamilton III and writing the music and lyrics!
5. Q: Who are your top musical influences?
A: Fleetwood Mac, Cat Power and Adele. I am inspired by these artists not only because I think they are brilliant singers and songwriters, but because they are unapologetically themselves. Furthermore, they all create from a really raw, authentic space.
6. Q: How did you prepare to make this all happen?
A: Creating this single has been a really special experience, one I would have never dreamed possible before the pandemic occurred and life as we know it took a giant virtual leap forward! I actually worked on this single remotely over zoom with Roy Hamilton III and the rest of the team. It's so crazy cool to know that a single can be created this way, and no longer requires everyone involved to be in the same studio, or in our case, even the same country!
7. Q: What can we expect from you in 2022?
A: Lots more music! The last few years have been really productive for me songwriting-wise. I have so many more projects I am excited to share!
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