As a writer, vocalist, and performer with Maribou State for the best part of a decade, Holly Walker has amassed hundreds of millions of streams globally. But now, it’s time for her solo ride. In this new chapter of her career, she announces the release of her debut album, Unsung, a very personal and intimate project comprising nine spellbinding new tracks, written largely at Holly’s home and co-produced by Mercury Prize-nominated friend and collaborator, Jamie Woon.
Unsung is a deeply personal record, telling stories of people she knows with candour, humility, humour, and emotion. “The songs are written to people I know, about things I’ve wanted to say for a long time but couldn’t find the words,” explains Holly. “They finally burst out of me. I wrote them mostly at home, on keys, in an old-fashioned way. I wanted storytelling, to try and make something timeless, with live musicians at the heart of it. Have that religious experience. I made the record with Jamie Woon, whose magical thinking was the help I’d always needed. Plus the holy trinity Dan See, Dave Okumu, and Lexxx, who made everything sound excellent.”
Here, we sat down with her to discuss her self-realisation process, artistic growth while venturing on a solo journey, and her next career steps.
Listen to “How Can I Tell You”, the first single from Unsung…
Read the full interview…
Congratulations on your debut album, Unsung. What inspired the title, and how does it represent the essence of the album?
Unsung means uncelebrated. Many of the songs are about someone I lost years ago, who I felt I hadn’t done justice in my music, because I couldn’t talk about it. I was struck dumb by what happened. I’m from a typically English family who don’t discuss emotions very much. And when I looked at the collection of songs as a whole, I realised they were all about being unable to communicate for some reason, be it rage or confusion or awe. Feelings I’d left unsung and unexpressed. But music, in the end, unlocked it all. I like that the word ‘unsung’ is unusual, it has a roundness to it and a poetry, and really it just sums it all up.
You mentioned that the album is deeply personal, telling stories about people you know. Can you talk a little about the writing process?
I had been accumulating notes and lyrics for years. Really an absurd amount of preparatory work! And then I came back from a tour, exhausted and emotional, and the dam burst. I wrote all the songs in about 4 or 5 months. I sat at my keyboard every day with my notebooks spread out in front of me and let the ideas coalesce. Sometimes I sampled scraps of drumbeats to give me a starting point, which later got replaced. Other times a particular synth sound led the mood or I got obsessed with layering harmonies. Computers give me a headache, so I do everything in a pretty analogue way. I took these demos to my friend Jamie Woon and together we developed them into full tracks. Some sound similar to the originals, others took a more experimental turn.
How did your self-realization journey and musical maturity reflect on this new project?
I knew I wanted to be very direct on this album. Lyrically but also melodically, there’s not much melisma or decoration, the song structures are straight forward etc. I felt that I’d been learning and practising for so long that now I had the confidence to be minimal, and not hide behind smoke and mirrors. Jamie helped me greatly with that too. Art is about being who you are, rather than who you wanted to be. It’s the pain of that and the beauty of that.
How does it feel to finally be able to put everything you always wanted to say into words?
It’s a relief! But don’t get me wrong, there’s always more to say.
You’ve previously worked extensively with Maribou State. How was the transition from being a part of a group to stepping out as a solo artist?
There is safety in a group dynamic – my songs were being heard without me having to reveal much of myself. I could enjoy the success without the pressure. And we’ve learnt so much together, and shared so much laughter over the years, I treasure the experience. But then again, all collaboration is fraught with politics. And sometimes it was hard not to have more agency, or to feel uncredited by the industry. That’s just an honest reflection. With my solo project, I get the freedom and the credit, but also the fear and the blame if it’s not good. It’s an exposing place to be, but I’m up for it now.
The first two singles, “How Can I Tell You” and “Storylines”, have already been released. Can you share the inspiration behind them?
How Can I Tell You was inspired by the little girl I used to look after when I worked as a nanny. She once asked me whether heaven existed and I had no answers for her. It’s about the innocence of childhood, the pain of growing up, and trying to communicate love. Actually that’s kind of what all my songs are about. Storylines is a lot more sassy and light-hearted. It’s that imaginary argument you have in your head with someone who thinks your life is perfect and theirs is cursed. In the fantasy you can issue magnificent shutdowns and win the game. It’s tongue in cheek.
And on your new single, “One of Them”, what’s the story behind it?
This song is about wanting to run away from everyone. Wanting to rebel and be the opposite of who people expect. Whether it’s society expecting you to settle down at a certain age or friends expecting you to enjoy fancy dress parties. Neither appeal. It was inspired by severe jet lag, panic attack energy and a desire to punch something.
Live musicianship is at the core of this album. Who are some of the musicians you’ve collaborated with, and what was that experience like?
Drums and bass were all recorded in three magical days with Dan See and Dave Okumu. Dan is a long time friend of mine and I get almost manic with delight when I hear him drum. I’d never met Dave until recording, but he’s the warmest, most soulful man to have in the room. They hadn’t heard the songs before, they just reacted to what I played and that’s what you hear on the record. Musicians playing live in the room gives me a rush I can’t get from laptop production. It’s a visceral, ecstatic experience. Jamie played and sang on various things, his guitar on One of Them is one of my favourite parts of the whole album. He also sang on Doubt, which is a sad song anyway, and his tone on that honestly tipped me over the edge.
Finally, what are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond?
Well there’s a couple more videos and exciting things to come, the album drops in November, and then there’s live shows which I can’t wait for. Maribou State fans might be happy with what’s coming early next year… I’ll leave that there.. and then I’m going to roll straight on and release some more music.
Are there any tour dates to support Unsung that fans should look out for?
28th Nov – Dareshack, Bristol
29th Nov – Moth Club, London
30th Nov – Yes, Manchester