Holly Golightly – yes, her legal first and middle name, based on the character from Breakfast At Tiffany’s – has released more than two dozen albums and EPs since coming onto the scene in the mid-1990s. But plenty of fans know the London native from a host of other projects. She dueted with Jack White from The White Stripes on “It’s True That We Love One Another.” She sang on the opening track on Rocket From The Crypt’s self-titled album. She recorded with Billy Childish for Thee Headcoatees. She had two songs on the Broken Flowers soundtrack in collaboration with The Greenhornes…
2015 brings two new albums from Holly Golightly: Coulda Shoulda Woulda and Slowtown Now!. Coulda is the eighth album from Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, while Slowtown is a solo album serving as Holly’s first full-band album in over a decade. Slowtown will be out on September 11th, while Coulda gets its release on October 16th.
In support of both albums, Holly comes to the New York metro area with three gigs in late October. For those close to the Jersey Shore, she comes to Belmar’s 10th Avenue Burrito Company on October 24th. Two nights later, she will rock The Knitting Factory on October 26th. One night after playing Brooklyn, Holly headlines The Mercury Lounge on October 27th. Holly kindly answered some questions about the albums and the gigs ahead for me over e-mail.
For someone coming to your gig at The Mercury Lounge in New York who hasn’t seen you live before, what should they expect?
Holly Golightly: A whole lot of fun! We like to cultivate an interactive atmosphere, so that everyone’s involved in the carnival.
On the opposite end, how would you describe Coulda Shoulda Woulda to a long-time fan who hasn’t heard it before?
H: Coulda Shoulda Woulda is a collection of our latest songs, and it is a broad representation of what we do. It clatters and twangs, like a record should.
When was Coulda Shoulda Woulda recorded versus the Slowtown Now! album? Did anyone in your camp have hesitation about you releasing two albums so closely together?
H: Slowtown was recorded in London before Christmas last year, although it had originally been scheduled to be done and dusted slightly earlier than that — that couldn’t happen any sooner for reasons beyond my control. Coulda Shoulda Woulda was recorded from New Year’s onward, finishing it up in March. Since we don’t work solidly, recording 10+ hours a day, it’s done at a more leisurely pace. The two records coming out fairly close together is a positive thing, for both of them, I think…They are very different, but the common thread — me — runs through them. There’s no conflict. Actually, the opposite is true. I think they complement each other perfectly.
Who or what made you want to become a musician? Are there any other musicians in your family?
H: It wasn’t a conscious decision at all. It’s just been something I got interested in doing a long time ago and carried on doing, regardless of whatever else I pack in…It’s a hobby that became something more over the course of time really. There aren’t any other musicians in my family. Both of my parents and one brother are visual artists, but there are no other musicians. If there were, there would definitely have been a Partridge Family-style thing going on by now.
I first learned of you from your duet with Rocket From The Crypt from their self-titled album, which long preceded your duet with The White Stripes. Did you ever think of yourself as a duet singer before the RFTC session happened?
H: I’d done a fair bit of singing with and for other people before that happened, including quite a few duets, so I guess I didn’t really think about it too much at the time.
What do you wish more people knew about you beyond the stage? Do you have any unexpected hobbies?
H: I think most who’ve met us — either in-person or online — already know that I am an avid horsewoman. I was an instructor/coach for many years, in tandem to playing music. That’s something that sometimes surprises people to learn about, I suppose. It’s two very different worlds. [Lawyer] Dave is a relative newcomer to the world of horses, but he’s as enthusiastic about it as I am and has taken to it like a fish to water. We keep many waifs and strays here at home…Dogs, horses, a donkey, goats, geese, chickens, a parrot, etc.
Once this fall tour is over with, do you have anything else planned?
H: There’s always plenty to keep me busy, even if it’s not music-related stuff. When we get done with the tour, we’ll come home and have to get straight back to farm work.
What do you recall about your first gig in New York City?
H: I played a huge Central Park show, singing with RFTC, I can’t remember the year, but that was the first time I’d ever been on a stage in NYC. That was very exciting. Not too long after that, Dan [Melchior] and I played a show at the Jones. The food was a lot cheaper back then, judging by the wall menu with prices painted next to the items that was captured in photos of the gig. That really was a great fun show. I drank way too many Shaggies and tore my shirt. Top notch night.
Finally, Holly, any last words for the kids?
H: Well, just the usual. Come to the show and have fun. And call home often — don’t forget to tell your folks about our new record…they’ll dig it too.
-By Darren Paltrowitz
