HOLLY BRUCE: Origin Story Interview
Aug 21, 2024Nashville artist Holly Bruce’s music glimmers with her passions of mental health, spirituality, and healing arts. Themes that have carried her through life and continue to inspire and motivate her writing and musical expression. But that’s not all there is to her.
This is a busy time for you! You’ve just released your debut album, Love Remains on Bandcamp, and your release party at City Winery in Nashville is coming up this Friday. Share with us what this album is about and what it means to you.
Holly Bruce: Yes! The Love Remains album and release show at the City Winery are my biggest promo focus at present.
The album highlights my journey of self discovery, recovery, heartbreak, spiritual growth, and personal health, and celebrates the hard won journey of healing. These songs offer a way to process complex emotions and themes and make sense of them. I hope folks that are struggling know they are not alone and that this music is medicinal for others as it is for me. I also hope it offers joy and empowerment.
You are the sole songwriter and composer and you also co-produced this album. Who else was involved with this project and how did their involvement come to be?
HB: I was introduced to Chris Brush (producer & mix engineer) 5+ years ago by a good music buddy, Jason Erie whom I trusted and was a sort of mentoring friend on the path. Later, Chris introduced me to Duncan at Voltage Exchange (mastering engineer).
Why was this project written initially? Has the theme or meaning changed through production?
HB: It hasn't really changed at the core. We started recording it as an Americana album and as it evolved, I discovered there is quite a bit of indie pop, folk and world influences coming through, so we leaned into that.
What track stands out the most to you?
HB: "Long Before Us" is medicine for me. It has so many layers (as many of these songs do) literally and figuratively. The BGV'S I am super proud of.. they came 100% organically. This song was a broken open moment that I was reaching to find myself and own my part of the ending of a relationship.
Is this a sonic change from your past releases?
HB: Each song is unique on this album! While a few songs have some similar elements, there are different personalities to each one. I would say yes, definitely, this album is very unique to my past music however the core has remained the same.. processing feelings and experiences. I just have evolved as a person and my music and lyrics have as well.
Who are your musical and general life influences and in what ways do we hear them come out in this project?
HB: Tori Amos, I grew up listening to her truth telling, processing difficult experiences and that played a big part in my journey of creating music and art for getting through difficulties. Jason Mraz is an inspiration as I love his catchy melodies, positive vibe and incorporation of spiritual and personal growth insights, I also love Sia, her powerful voice, vibe and magical layers of BGV's!
Processing complex layers of personal topics including mental health struggles and self discovery as well as creating music as way to elevate and empower, this is a theme of this project and music for me in general.
I hear you have some pretty big influences living right at home with you. Can you tell us about them?
HB: I love my tuxedo fur babies! I have 2 Sage & Rosie. They bring all kinds of inspiration, love and joy into my life
They do certainly inspire joy! Other than making music and playing with the babies, when you are not creating music what do you like to do in your free time?
HB: I love creating! Whether it's my home environment, nature, gardening and connecting with kindreds.
Why did you originally decide to pursue a career in music?
HB: During the pandemic I had been teaching yoga online for a year after making a career of it for over a decade. I got a bit burnt out and decided that it was time to focus on finishing the album and solely on my music career. I took a leap. I'm still in the air.. but there are signs that I'm on a good enough path.
What does the next year look like for you and your career?
HB: Launching this album, continuing to grow in my online presence and pitching my music to sync as well as starting to plan my next recording project.
Lets have some fun with getting to know the more personal side of you - What are you watching or reading right now
HB: I have been drawn to real estate shows - to get ideas for home decor. I am a fan of period pieces & fantasy such as Bridgerton, House of the dragons, Rings of Power as well as documentaries.
ā€‹ā€‹If you could have dinner anywhere tonight where would it be and what would it be?
I love Cafe Rakka (Mediterranean) in Hendersonville, TN. But I also Love Cafe Gratitude (Vegan, organic) in Los Angeles.
How would your closest friends describe you in three words.
HB: Passionate, creative & empathic
Leaning back to the topic at hand, how has music affected your life (positively and/or Negatively)?
HB: Music has allowed me to learn better boundaries with myself and others. At the end of the day, it is my responsibility to take care of me.
Describe your aesthetic and why it represents you.
HB: Boho, ethereal, goddess, healer vibes.. I love nature, beautiful complexities and growth
Give us all the details for your upcoming show and album.
HB:
Album Release Show - Nashville City Winery Friday, Aug 23 @7-9pm.
Album Release On Bandcamp Aug 16-29, 2024
Album Streaming Aug 30, 2024
Where can we find you online?
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