Evolution Emerging Artist Profiles: Holly Rees

Join Spotlight UK as it journeys inside the minds of some of Evolution Emerging Festival’s most promising up and coming artists!

First up, we have the hugely talented acoustic artist Holly Rees who has swiftly gone from strength to strength and shows no sign of stopping any time soon…

How would you describe your sound to someone to convince them to check you out at the festival? 
Ooh that’s a tricky one. I’d say if you like acoustic tunes, having a dance and feeling some feelings then you might like the sounds I make.

What are your thoughts on Evolution Emerging?
I think it’s great, it’s become something really special in our region’s musical calendar, and I’m so excited to be a part of it this year.

How important do you think grassroots events such as this are for emerging artists? 
So important. It’s so exciting as well to be able to see how much talent we have here in the North East, and to have such a great platform to showcase it. 

Which artists are you excited to catch at the festival? 
The line-up is so good this year, I have no idea how I’m going to see everything I want to see. I’m really excited to catch Martha, I first saw them years ago at empty shop in Durham so it’ll be great to see them again. I managed to catch IMOGEN at the cathedral after my set at Hit The North this year and she was amazing, so I’d love to catch her again. All the bands on after me at Cluny2 this year are fab, and Cape Cub is definitely one to catch, but I also really want to see St.Buryan and Deep.Sleep over at the Bike Shop, and Cortney Dixon and The Pale White at Cluny, and more – definitely spoiled for choice this year. 

Do you have any tips for other up and coming artists who are starting out?
I think just to go for it. Make what you want to make because you want to make it, and share what you want to share because you want to share it, without any expectations.

Do you have any developments you’re working on that you want to give a shout out to?
I’ve got a new EP called ‘Slow Down’ coming out in the summer, which I really can’t wait for people to hear. The first single from it, ‘Magpie’, is coming out on June 8th (the day before Evo!) with a music video directed by Ryan Peebles, and I’m launching the EP on August 11th at Head of Steam in Newcastle – the first date of my Northern Tour with Matt Dunbar! So this summer is going to be class, I can’t wait.

Holly will be playing at the Cluny 2 for Evolution Emerging Festival on the 9th of June, for tickets click here.

As featured here.