Oh Golly, Miss Holly!

Holly Brook is fulfilling her musical dreams

Holly Brook started singing at the age of two, and was performing professionally with her mom by the time she was six. When she grew out of singing children’s songs, she started sneaking into clubs so she could schmooze with jazz musicians, which eventually landed her in a jazz band at the age of 15.

But jazz didn’t suit Holly (“I love jazz, but my stuff wasn’t being received as well”) so she packed her bags and moved to L.A. Three years later, after meeting with countless musicians and producers, Holly is celebrating the release of her debut album Like Blood, Like Honey, a collection of intimate and poetic pop gems.

During a recent sit-down with FASHION18’s Jami Moran, Holly opened up about everything from growing up (“Why is life so hard?”) to her dream guy (“Dark hair and blue eyes”) to collecting animal pelts (“I want to make handbags”).

THE EARLY YEARS: Holly sang children’s songs and folk songs in a band called Generations with her mother and went on to record three indie records. However, in middle school her classmates started making fun of her music so she started writing love songs.

HER FIRST LOVE SONG: “I had no experience, I was 13. But I learned from simple things—a boyfriend I had in sixth grade. I tried to put myself in other people’s shoes.”

NEW BEGINNINGS: A lot of the songs on Holly’s album are about the search for answers in life. “I was in a bad living situation, and then everything fell into place. And I realized that you have to pay your dues. Things will happen for you.”

INSPIRATION: “A lot of good songs come from some bad things. It’s like when you’re in a bad situation but you see hope—it’s really inspirational.”

FAN MAIL: “A guy who was a soldier in Iraq wrote me and said my music was his peace in his time of hell. It makes me feel I’m doing the right thing. It reinforces that drive.”

PERSONAL STYLE: Holly calls herself “classy and quirky” and likes to come up with her own creations. “I got a sewing machine for Christmas and the record company sent me lots of fabric. I’m always fixing and altering things.” She also loves collecting animal pelts and wants to make them into handbags. “I just got a kangaroo pelt in Australia.”

LOW MAINTENANCE: “I’m a rural girl—I’ve been living in the woods. (Although, due to a shellfish allergy, she has to bring her eppy pen with her wherever she goes.)

BEAUTY ESSENTIAL: “I always dye my hair red. I’m not a natural redhead.”

PERFECT GUY: “I like dark hair—really dark hair—and blue eyes.” She’s also looking for somebody who is smart, talented and has a goal. “And someone with a silly personality. Somebody I can be a goofball with.”

WORK TO LIVE: “I love that my job doesn’t ever feel like a job. It’s stressful but the end goal is something I’ve always wanted. Music, fame, records were never my goal. I just wanted to make a living out of it. I don’t think there’s anything else I could do.”

OPENING UP: “It’s hard being in the public eye. Artists are sensitive people and music is personal. Writing is like a diary. I write more vaguely so people won’t get what happens.”

By Jami Moran

newsletter signup