Holly

Describe your style in three words?

On + off trend.

The first track you played on repeat? And where did you play it?

Joss Stone - Super Duper Love

2003, in my bedroom. This was the first song I ever downloaded onto my family's Windows computer, probably performing it to my friend on MSN via webcam while setting up a MySpace account.

A song from your favourite album? And what does this track mean to you?

The Streets - Blinded by the Lights

This album and ‘Original Pirate Material’ was one of the first introductions I had to British rap/garage/old school grime music. There is just an endearing and familiar sense of British culture depicted by the scene set in this song. If you know, you know.

A song from your most memorable gig?

Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival, 2018. The sun was setting on an unforeseen hot summers day in Birmingham, the air was still warm but the brightness of the sun had settled so you didn’t need to squint. Open air, a crowd of all ages belting out this timeless classic in unison.

A song that always gets you up and dancing?

Armand Van Helden - aNYway - Radio Edit

Perhaps the Liverpool in me and while slightly before my time I’ve always had a soft spot for anything slightly reminiscent of Liverpool’s early 2000’s club scenes. Hearing stories of Pleasure Rooms and Cream has always ignited a love for Y2K dance music for me!

A new song you're listening to? Why do you like this artist?

Princess Nokia - Gemini

Like a lot of the new music I listen to, I found her on Colors. She has an effortless and interchangeable tone accompanied by backing tracks that is reminiscent of '90s / '00s female hip hop and R&B artists, think Doo Wop - Lauryn Hill.

Best song to turn up loud? And why?

Charles & Eddie - Would I Lie To You?

Admittedly, not the most complex song lyrically, but are the ones you belt out in the shower/car/friends kitchen at 3am supposed to evoke intricate thoughts and deeper meanings? I don’t think so.

A song that defines the teenage you? And the memories it evokes?

Bobby V. - Slow Down - 12" Version

The first song I ever saw the music video of on MTV when I was about 13 and was captivated by the smoothness and seemingly adultness of this new R&B genre that filled my otherwise pop girl band infused Disney channel music world. 14 years later and it’s still on my playlist.

An anthemic song? Why does it get your pulse racing?

Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack

While all of the lyrics sung mightn’t be unmistakably clear to the untrained ear, what makes an anthemic song is the repetition of an undeniably catchy lyric, even more powerful when mixed with a funky backing track and sporadic vocals after each line ~ *come on* *don't you know*

Best song to end an all-nighter?

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor

Just enough beat to get everyone on their feet for the last time, while grooving and saying “remember this song?!”. Everyone will leave the party remembering dancing in the kitchen to Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Guaranteed. Highly recommended.