01Profile
A Hollie Cook Photo
Singer — London
A Hollie Cook Photo
Name, where are you from?
Hollie Cook, London.
What do you do?
Singer. I don't actually think I ever expected to be quite so deeply immersed in singing reggae but it’s just where I, through exploration over the years landed and found myself feeling completely at home.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual. Colourful. Changeable.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
So many to choose from. I will never forget Deftones at London Arena in 2001.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
David Bowie and Bob Marley.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Eartha Kitt.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Shepherds Bush Empire. It's my local venue where I grew up and it was always a dream to play there.
Hollie Cook released her third album 'Vessel of Love' in January 2018, an album which combines her (and her family's) musical heritage; drawing elements from reggae, dub, punk, disco and giving them her tropical flavour.
Hollie will also be embarking on 20 date world tour, details of which can be found at www.holliecook.com/pages/tour-dates.
The first track you played on repeat?
Probably 'Heal The World' by Michael Jackson.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Chop Suey' by System of a Down.
One record you would keep forever?
'Aladdin Sane' by David Bowie.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I'm so happy, you're so nice,
kiss kiss kiss, fun fun life"
From The Slits 'Love and Romance'.
A song you wished you had written?
'Les Fleurs' by Minnie Ripperton.
Best song to turn up loud?
So many - 'Love Fire' by Aswad.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Probably a few of the songs I've already mentioned! And 'Chained To The Rhythm' by Katy Perry.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Diamonds' by Rihanna.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
I like Dream Wife.
Name, where are you from?
Hollie Cook, London.
What do you do?
Singer. I don't actually think I ever expected to be quite so deeply immersed in singing reggae but it’s just where I, through exploration over the years landed and found myself feeling completely at home.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual. Colourful. Changeable.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
So many to choose from. I will never forget Deftones at London Arena in 2001.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
David Bowie and Bob Marley.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Eartha Kitt.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Shepherds Bush Empire. It's my local venue where I grew up and it was always a dream to play there.
Hollie Cook released her third album 'Vessel of Love' in January 2018, an album which combines her (and her family's) musical heritage; drawing elements from reggae, dub, punk, disco and giving them her tropical flavour.
Hollie will also be embarking on 20 date world tour, details of which can be found at www.holliecook.com/pages/tour-dates.
The first track you played on repeat?
Probably 'Heal The World' by Michael Jackson.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Chop Suey' by System of a Down.
One record you would keep forever?
'Aladdin Sane' by David Bowie.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I'm so happy, you're so nice,
kiss kiss kiss, fun fun life"
From The Slits 'Love and Romance'.
A song you wished you had written?
'Les Fleurs' by Minnie Ripperton.
Best song to turn up loud?
So many - 'Love Fire' by Aswad.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Probably a few of the songs I've already mentioned! And 'Chained To The Rhythm' by Katy Perry.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Diamonds' by Rihanna.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
I like Dream Wife.
Hollie Cook
Hollie Cook | Stay Alive (2018)
Hollie Cook | Milk & Honey (2011)
Where are you from?
I grew up in West London and it was always and it still is a place that just kind of has a vibe.
For anyone who hasn’t heard your music yet, how would you describe your sound?
I normally go for something along the lines of tropical, psychedelic, disco, lovers’ soul.
Who is your biggest style icon?
I was always really into Debbie Harry. She’s foxy and always had an iconic style, and such a beautiful face. I love Poly Styrene as well because she was cool, scruffy and sweet.
If you could have any artist, dead or alive, cover you?
Grace Jones - why not!
As the daughter of a member of The Sex Pistols and a member of Culture Club, do you think it was in your DNA to become such a credible musician yourself?
A musician - yes, credible - thank you. I suppose I was never going to be a lawyer. I think it was inevitable that I was going to end up doing something artsier or creatively involved in some way. Music and singing are where I’ve always felt super comfortable, and it’s wicked that I’ve had such a fine example set, and have two very creative and understanding parents, who’ve been majorly supportive and not freaked out when I didn’t want to go to university and get a sensible job.
And, is it true that Boy George is your Godfather?
Yes, it is - he’s a good old friend of my mum’s. Though we prefer to call him my Godmother.
As well as your solo projects you also joined the reformed line up of the iconic punk band, The Slits. How did that come about?
That was a long time ago - almost ten years ago when I first got involved, Ari Up was putting a Slits line up back together and was calling all of her musician friends to get in touch with their daughters. There were a few of us all the same age, who all grew up together. She wanted us to come and sing backing vocals on a chorus, like a big girl gang of vocals so I went and recorded that back in around 2005, and Ari invited me to come and sing when they did some live shows. I didn’t think that was going to turn into a reality of any sort but when it did it became my first real band experience, outside of playing with friends from school and whatever. I fell in love with it straight away - so I ran away with the circus, as it were.
Punk and reggae, as subcultures, have had an enduring relationship in the UK since the late 1970s. Why do you think that is?
I feel like there’s probably a similar mind frame and mentality to them both. Reggae itself is like a form of punk, it’s pretty DIY, a freedom to express yourself, and there’s a spirituality behind punk as well, the affinity between the two. They feel the same, despite being so obviously sonically different, the spirit and the energy of the two are completely married.
What’s the wildest story of your dad’s about the Sex Pistols, that you are allowed to tell us?
To be honest I don’t really know that many, but I was talking to my dad, literally yesterday, and he was telling me about a gig at The 100 Club, where Sid Vicious literally chained a guy up because he was a music journalist.
What does Britishness mean to you?
Personally, it means family, more than anything and pride within my family and where I'm from. There are so many things it can be and I feel like there are so many things that I am and can be because of being British.
What female musicians did you grow up looking up to?
Playground Twist - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Could it Be Magic - Donna Summer
Earthbeat - 7” Version - The Slits
Just a Little Lovin’ Stero Version - Dusty Springfield
Bachelorette - Bjork
Bull in the Heather - Sonic Youth
Identity - X-Ray Spex
It’s Code - Janelle Monae
Symphony In Blue - Kate Bush
Ain’t No Way - Aretha Franklin
Reggae itself is like a form of punk, it’s pretty DIY...
Questions from the archive