Indie girl-genius Holly Macve unravels her musical firsts, as she kicks off the year with the new EP, Time Is Forever.

Holly Macve is the indie princess every youngster wishes to be. Manifesting ethereal and whimsical soundscapes that soothe like a sip of warm tea, her softly sunken vocals intertwined with delicate production create a blanket best used in times of comfort. Wholeheartedly romantic, Holly’s Western noir ballads navigate the intersection between melancholy and the bittersweet: angelic melodies transporting you to an otherworldly realm. Holly pours her soul into every note, and we can affirm that such courageous soul-baring has paid off as her latest EP, Time Is Forever, stands as her most candid work to date.

 

Fusing nostalgic wistfulness with thematic undertones, it comes as no surprise that Holly’s artistic expression draws comparisons to Lana Del Rey, who too weaves escapism and myth into her music. In fact, the pair have forged a friendship and joined forces on the track ‘Suburban Houses’, which seeks warmth amidst the depths of loneliness. Not only has Holly’s artistry led to collaborations with musical royalty but the ephemeral beauty of her tracks has guided her to where she is today: a triple threat as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter with a glimmering EP now gracing our ears.

 

Time Is Forever promises to be one of Holly’s most honest projects to date. Kicking off a new era, whilst bearing her soul for the duration of the EP, the foundations of it were penned during a period of dreaming and overcoming certain inhibitions. Weaving themes of abuse, existential fear and the demise of romantic relationships into the project, listeners view the narratives from the eyes of a melancholic yet self-confessed dreamer. Featuring ‘1995’, an enchanting alt-pop track filled with high-octane vocals atop tender piano melodies, and breakout song, ‘Suburban House’, another piano-bearing track featuring Lana’s delicate vocals, the wait is finally over for Time Is Forever to put us in a hypnotic trance.

 

As we revel in the celestial allure of her EP, we get to know Holly’s musical firsts, from being in the studio with Lana to singing old Irish tunes with her mum. Tap in below:

First song you ever made? 

I would sit with my Grandad on the piano as a child and he would help me come up with little tunes. So, I guess that was the first time I remember feeling excited about creating something musical. I was probably about 5 or 6. He was my hero.

First time you fell in love with music? 

When I first watched Jailhouse Rock and heard Elvis’s voice.

First CD or record you owned?

Jackson 5 Greatest Hits or Britney; I was obsessed with both, not sure which came first…

First time you realised you wanted to be an artist?

When I was listening to the albums above aged 6 or 7. I wouldn’t have known what it meant to be an artist but I knew that one of the things I loved the most in the world was to sing.

First gig you went to?

The first one I went to with friends was Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

First time you faced an obstacle in your career? 

Probably the first day I decided it was a career or when I was let down by industry people I thought I could trust. I have learnt so many lessons since signing my first deal aged 17. The music industry is not for the faint of hearted, that is for sure.

First instrument you owned? 

A bass guitar that I named Flea.

First time you felt starstruck?

I walked past Mick Jagger once in the hallway of a music studio when I was about 18. He winked at me, I blushed.

First time you felt your work pay off?

Probably when I first held a physical record of mine in my hands.

First time you felt starstruck?

First pinch-me moment? When I was in the studio with Lana and she was singing my song so iconically and so beautifully <3

First collaboration with an artist you admire?

My mum and I have sang old Irish tunes together since I was a teen, I love singing with her, she’s a beautiful singer. Maybe we will record one sometime.

First time you fulfilled a long-time dream?

I got my first car last year, it took me far too long to pass my test but it has made me feel so free and unhindered. I feel creative when I am driving, it’s always my favourite time to listen to music and reflect on my own music that I’m in the midst of working on.

Listen to '1995' now:

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