The influences behind Holly Humberstone's debut EP, 'Falling Asleep At The Wheel'

2020 has been a difficult year for many, in many different ways. For the music industry, the ongoing and far-reaching impacts (some known and some not) have made for a turbulent, confusing and incredibly challenging time in every field. From live music ceasing to exist to economies entering recessions, it's been a tough time for many.

It's also been challenging for artists as they grapple with uncertain times. Some releases have been rescheduled, some rushed, and perhaps even scrapped entirely as artists scramble to try and cut through to connect with distracted listeners. However, some artists have managed to pierce the global consciousness, cutting through the noise and are using a rapidly evolving landscape and audience to their advantage.

One such artist is Holly Humberstone, who has become one of 2020's most exciting breakout global stars. The rising singer-songwriter has made this year hers with a slew of acclaimed singles, amassing millions of streams in the process and picking up thousands of new fans along the way. Her debut EP, Falling Asleep At The Wheel, showcases her ability to tell personal stories in universal ways. In the same vein as Phoebe Bridgers, Florence Welch, or even Lorde before her, she wields her personal experiences, mining her life for stories to share and pairs her emotive lyrics with peculiar, unsuspecting arrangements and production to make something wholly genuine and authentic. She's relatable, funny, real and exceptionally talented, and now with her debut EP out in the world, she once again levels up as a seriously promising force to be reckoned with on a global scale.

So, with the entire world now at her fingertips, what better time to get to know Holly a bit better? Here, she takes us through some of her key influences behind her debut EP, from some of the aforementioned artists to some golden classics as well. Dive in:

‘Ribs’ by Lorde

I remember being in school when Lorde’s first album dropped and it blew my mind a bit. I love her deeply personal lyrics paired with the weird quirky production; that muted kick drum really does things for me!!

‘Motion Sickness’ by Phoebe Bridgers

Before she dropped Motion Sickness I was already obsessed with her after playing her album Stranger In The Alps to death. No matter how much I rinse this song it just never gets old for me.

‘Circle The Drain’ by Soccer Mommy

I fucking love the gritty and grungy guitar sounds in this tune. I feel like this song belongs in an early 2000s American high school chick flick.

‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac

I’m a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac - my parents used to play them a lot when I was small. I’m obsessed with their huge sounding choruses and layered vocals with loaaads of heavenly harmonies.

‘I’m On Fire’ by Bruce Springsteen

I first heard the song when I saw someone play a cover of it live. Ever since its been my favourite. That continual electric guitar pattern all the way through the song mixed with that weird old fashioned synth is heavenly to me. There’s just something about music from this era, I just love how unpolished and raw it is.

Falling Asleep At The Wheel is out now. Buy/stream here.

Introduction by Emma Jones

Image: Supplied

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