A ginger-haired girl with a passion for long cool coats, Holly Lovelady grew up drenched in music. Her Nan and Grandad’s house was a tapestry woven with timeless melodies of Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, and the occasional touch of Mario Lanza. She mimicked the old crooners, nurturing an all-consuming love for music that shaped her formative years and beyond.
Her initial foray into the world of public singing was not a glamorous affair. She stood on the stage of a humble primary school talent show, channelling the energy of Alvin and the Chipmunks. To Holly’s delight, she won first place, and a large tin of sweets. This moment marked a turning point: there was no taming her passion for music after that.
With a newfound determination, Holly approached an independent recording studio in her home city, Liverpool. She shared her ambition of recording her own take on Chris De Burgh’s Christmas classic ‘A Spaceman Came Travelling.’ They agreed and Holly’s rendition, soon garnishing considerable attention on YouTube, even reached Chris De Burgh himself who expressed his admiration for her version. This response, unanticipated yet overwhelmingly positive, propelled Holly forward and spurred her to begin creating her own music. All she needed was a piano.
In an old village hall, Holly found her £50 muse – a piano that cost more to move than to buy. It found its home in her hallway, and Holly embarked on an emotional journey with this instrument. From companion to confidant, it absorbed every high, low and heartbreak she transposed into song. She found solace in crafting melodies, discovering that the best songs she made were through the despair of heartbreak. Yet, despite adversity, her love for music remained ceaseless.
Holly’s rise in the musical world wasn’t without its share of unwelcome opinions and painful losses. She crossed paths with music professionals who liked her music but aspired to alter her image. However, Holly staunchly refused to change her appearance or dilute her authenticity. She was proud of her ginger hair, her unique dressing style, and her love for long cool coats.
Amid navigating her musical journey, Holly witnessed the harsh sting of loss within her family. Her beloved Uncle, Grandad, and finally her Nan, all passed away within a span of five years. Her Nan’s death in 2022 from dementia was particularly painful. Each new song she crafted was played for Nan and Grandad, their reactions gauging the potential of the piece. If Grandad liked it, Holly knew she had composed something special.
Despite the heart-wrenching circumstances, Holly continues to create enchanting music, her genre a haunting blend of modern ballad songs coupled with electro-pop and folk melodies. Each piece tells a story, bearing a glimpse into her world.
In testament to her storytelling prowess, she adapted an erstwhile play into her musical, ‘TOPLESS,’ a tale of a tormented tour guide. Premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, she ingeniously tweaked her songs to fit into the narrative of Sandie, the protagonist.
Currently, Holly is invested in her upcoming song, ‘Helvellyn’, due for release in February 2024. Named after the famous and perilous mountain in the Lake District where she resides, it allegorically manifests the mountain’s danger, intricacy, and breath-taking view at the peak. Just like the mountain, Holly’s journey – riddled with hardships and challenges – has been unpredictable and often treacherous. Yet, she remains steadfast and continues to explore the music landscape with her authentic voice and narratives. From the warm embrace of her grandparents’ home to the large stages, Holly Lovelady’s journey is a testament to her enduring passion for music. Her story inspires many, proving that when fate shuts the door, indeed, one can always poke their head in through the window.
Follow Holly on Spotify and Instagram;
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/hollyloveladyofficial
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DyGXT4iVsVarMIZSXdrwX?si=1sWZqBRNTWKte1wIlh01Og
Published By: Aize Perez
