Video courtesy of The Music Bed, where you can license Holley’s entire catalog for your videos, slideshows, and independent films.
Holley Maher is an artist. In her Nashville home, she surrounds herself with paintbrushes, half-written storybooks and novels, odd collections of instruments, and stacks of notebooks full of sketches, ideas, and songs in the making. Her vivid artistic vision bleeds into the studio and her songs, manifesting in beautifully textured vocal harmonies and sweeping melodies that seem to pull you in and carry you away.
“Odd Place To Be,” the debut EP released in 2011, is the “perfect introduction” to Holley as an artist. Five songs were recorded with producer Thomas Doeve (Trent Dabbs, Andrew Belle, Amy Stroup) in his basement studio that have captured the attention of listeners worldwide.
“The EP itself is an exploration of love—deep love, new love, love for a city and friends, love that wrecks you. And this whole process, making this record from start to finish… It was intense. It was like flying and falling over and over again. But it was crazy and exciting, and I couldn’t be more proud of it.”
Just two weeks after the release of “Odd Place To Be,” the title track was featured as the Local Lightning Spotlight on Nashville’s independent music station, Lightning 100. Within just a few days of airplay, the song was voted #1 in listener favorites on their website, surpassing nationally and internationally acclaimed artists like Florence and the Machine, Kings of Leon, Amos Lee, and Ray LaMontagne.
The cinematic and captivating soundscapes of songs like “Wrecking Ball,” “Just Right,” “Edie’s Balcony, and “Odd Place To Be” have been featured on nationally televised programs like “The Real World,” “Gallery Girls,” and “The Real L Word,” as well as in short films ands advertisements for companies like Birchbox and the popular online clothing retailer, Modcloth.com. The closing track, an organic and emotive love song called “Always Be,” along with Holley’s newest single, “Perfect Day,” are so affecting that they’ve been used as the backdrop for thousands of wedding day films for couples all over the world.
The aching and yearning qualities in her music can perhaps be attributed to her inveterate desire to create music since childhood, as well as her music-saturated upbringing. Born and raised in Eastern New Jersey in a small ocean-side town, Holley spent many years training as a dancer. However, music was always a cornerstone of her life. Her mother, whose parents played in a popular Ozarks bluegrass band, introduced her to the tightly stacked harmonies of country music. Her father, whose mother was a classically trained opera singer, instilled a deep-seeded love for classic rock and 60’s folk. She started piano lessons when she was nine years old, but quickly lost interest in being “taught.” When her teacher suggested that she was learning more quickly by ear, her parents allowed her to quit lessons and teach herself organically. When she began writing songs shortly thereafter, she didn’t think much of it.
“I didn’t even realize that being a songwriter was a ‘thing,’” she recalls. “I just thought that being a professional musician was somehow completely unattainable for someone like me.”
But the desire to write and play never seemed to fade, and in High School, she began studying music theory and experimenting with songwriting more seriously, teaching herself guitar and making her musical debut in iconic venues like the PNC Bank Arts Center and The Count Basie Theater by the age of 17. After graduation, Holley left home to pursue her degree in Music and Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where she met future producer, Thomas Doeve, and began writing and recording her debut project just one year after earning her degree.
Designed by Holley Maher. (Request a signed copy for no extra charge.)
Holley’s debut 5-song EP,
released January 18th, 2011.
Includes tracks: Just Right, Odd Place To Be, Edie's Balcony, Wrecking Ball, Always Be
w/ Hand-Drawn Cover by Holley Maher
These pocket journals are made by Italian journal company, Moleskine, and feature cover artwork designed & drawn by Holley Maher. Each is based on a lyric from one of Holley’s songs and is signed on the inside front cover. (3.5 x 5.5)
Request one of the designs you see here, or come up with your own custom design & have Holley create it for you! *
*Be sure to tell me which notebook you want, or describe what you want your custom design to say/look like. Otherwise, I’ll pick you out a pretty one at random. :)
Featuring “I’m Coming Home” by Holley Maher. Physical copy.
Holley Maher is a charming indie-pop singer/songwriter that displays a light-hearted spirit and unique sound. Her voice is reminiscent of Regina Spektor and Joanna Newsome, and you can't help but to pick up the folk and jazz sounds she is so strongly influenced by. With the combination of Holley's delicate voice and her raw and honest lyrics, it's easy to see why she's a stand-out musician. Her music will captivate you after the first listen and it's her distinct style that'll keep you coming back for more.
Holley recently released her debut EP, "Odd Place To Be." The EP consists of five gorgeous tunes and is the perfect introduction to Holley as an artist. So, if you're in to good music, check out "Odd Place To Be" and be prepared to be listening to this record on repeat in the days to come.
A lot of music hits my ears on a weekly basis. Whether I'm at work, in the car, or at home, music is almost constantly on. With an iTunes library measured in months and a CD collection that fills a wall, I'm still always on the search for new and exciting music.If you've ever been to an open mic night or watched an early episode of American Idol, you're probably aware that there are a lot of terrible singers and musicians out there.The dream of success can easily outweigh legitimate talent. This means that when searching for new music to enjoy, I have to weed through a lot of fluff to get to anything I'd consider truly worth listening to.
Every once in a while, however, an unsigned artist finds their way to my ears and makes the countless hours of exploration worth it. Last year, the band Darkroom was that artist for me. This year, it's Holley Maher.
Maher's new EP, "Odd Place to Be," opens with "Just Right." Don't be surprised if you catch this track in the background of a commercial by the end of the year, it'd be perfect for one. Opening with an acoustic guitar and vocals, "Just Right," quickly blossoms into a much more elaborate instrumentation with each part perfectly balanced within the mix.
For most unsigned singer/songwriter talent, a debut EP consists of a fairly stripped down mix. While this is an effective means of keeping the focus on the lyrics, the music is often lost in a sea of similarity to every other singer/songwriter looking to catch a big break.
The artists that truly stand out from the rest take chances and aren't afraid to create a lush sonic landscape. This is where Holley Maher truly shines.
The title track, "Odd Place to Be," keeps things fresh and interesting switching up an acoustic guitar for a piano as the feature instrument. Reverse and panning effects on the fade in and out of the track add a clever experimental edge to the otherwise cheerful and radio friendly tune.
Maher knows how to write a pop song, but simple additions like these or the vocal harmonies playing off the melody like another instrument instead of just layering the vocal adds to the overall appeal.
The tempo slows down a bit for the remaining three tracks on the EP, but the strength of the composition never wavers. All three tracks layer acoustic strings into the mix as well which interweave with the other instruments to form some lustrous harmonies while still giving Maher's voice the headline.
Maher's "Odd Place to Be," as described in her title track, is "standing on the brink of what is and what could be." With a start as good as this, there is no limit to what could be for this young artist, but she won't be unsigned for long.
PERFECTLY ODD: AN INTERVIEW WITH HOLLEY MAHER | back to press
If you find yourself in or headed to spectacular, nostalgic places this season, there’s no better accompaniment than Holley Maher‘s upcoming EP, Odd Place to Be.We first met Holley, the featured artist in our “A Dream in the Making” video, when she sent us a Fave Find submission. A few weeks later, she e-mailed again, saying she was just starting to work on her EP, and if it wasn’t too much to ask us to check out some of her music samples. We were instantly drawn to the recent college grad’s charming tunes, determination to pursue her musical dreams, and her surprisingly hilarious blog. Her songs got passed through the office, eventually reaching our videographer, who decided it was the perfect fit for our “Dream” stylebook video!Read our interview with this Nashville music maven, and, while you’re at it, cue up yourfree download of Holley’s “Edie’s Balcony”!
What inspires your music?
My writing is lifted directly out of my life. When feelings overwhelm me, I have to write. Or do something! Paint, draw, anything to get that “I’m going to explode!” feeling out of my system. But writing a song is the most fulfilling outlet.
What is your favorite song from Odd Place to Be, and why?
“Edie’s Balcony,” because of the night it brings to mind every time I hear it. My friend, Edie, as you might have guessed, has a balcony. On that balcony one night, she hosted a gathering of our closest friends, and we bundled up next to the fire pit, looked out over the city, and shared our stories and secrets with each other. We played music all night, and watched the sun rise.
How did you come up with the design for your album cover? Is that a picture of you as a child?
No, that isn’t me! I get asked that a lot. The little girl is Fanny Travis Cochran, the subject of a portrait by Cecilia Beaux [from] 1887. I was on an Eduardo Recife kick and wanted to try creating a print collage in that style. Each bit of the cover art is historic, part of the public domain, and has some significance to me.
For example, the red bird is for my grandpa, who adored cardinals, and the fortune over Fanny’s eyes was [from] my fortune cookie the day I designed the artwork. It reads, “You are about to embark on a most delightful journey!” I thought it was perfect, and I still have it.
What musicians are you listening to now?
Katie Herzig is a local favorite of mine, and Amy Stroup and Andrew Belle, as well as The Civil Wars. I’m also loving Grace Potter, The Black Keys, and Tom Petty’s new album at the moment.
What advice would you give fellow aspiring artists?
You’re crazy! Go get an education and a desk job! No, no, just kidding. Deciding to go all-or-nothing, knowing the odds aren’t much in your favor, is an insanely tough choice to make. Especially if you’re doing it like me—independently, without a traditional record deal or giant bankroll.
I juggle two jobs, my music, my design business, and my side projects like The INdie Crowd, but it rarely feels like too much, somehow. And as for making time for music, it makes time for itself. If there’s a song coming on, everything else takes a back seat. It has to.
I’ve had people tell me plenty of times about plenty of things in my life that it would lead to nothing, and I’m too stubborn to let that bother me. So, if that sounds like you, then I’m here to tell you that it can be done.
If you have been paying attention to the iTunes top album chart this past week, then you have seen the Civil Wars and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors both in the top 10! Many would say that this year is the year for Nashville’s independent music scene and I would have to agree. Nashville’s indie scene is stronger than ever with a wealth of great talent and this week’s Free Music Friday artist, Holley Maher, is proof of that.
Holley comes to Nashville from New Jersey & like many musicians in town, is a graduate of Belmont University. Holley’s debut EP “Odd Place to Be” was produced by local indie producer, Thomas Doeve. Doeve has worked with several local artists like Amy Stroup & Trent Dabbs. He also worked on one of my personal favorite albums, Andrew Belle’s “The Ladder”. Holley credits Katie Herzig & Regina Spector as some of her influences & it’s definitely easy to hear them throughout her debut EP. The first track “Just Right” has a beat that mirrors the playfulness of the lyrics which speak of being in love with someone that you aren’t quite sure feels the same way. It tells of how that love feels right in the moment & how being ignorant of someone’s true feelings can be bliss. My personal favorite track is “Edie’s Balcony”. Doeve’s rich production has a way of painting the cityscape that Holley speaks of, while her lyrics place you in that moment. This is a song about a close friend that you feel like you can confide anything in. It’s easy to hear Regina Spector’s influence on the album’s second track “Odd Place to Be”, not only lyrically but vocally as well. Holley’s lyrics speak of being on the cuff of success, where you know it’s about to happen but it just hasn’t yet. This song definitely sets the tone of the album & in listening to this song it’s easy to hear an artist who is on the verge of local breakout success herself.
"I look up to anyone who’s been able to experience some kind of success doing what they love. That’s an extraordinary feat, as far as I’m concerned."
One of my favorite female singer-songwriters right now is Holley Maher. With her angelic voice and lighthearted lyrics, you can’t help but fall in love with her music. Born and raised in a small town in Eastern New Jersey, Holley was a dancer in the early years of her life, but music was never a far thought from her mind. Having her parents instill the value of music in her, she went off to school and studied it. Now living in Nashville, she has grabbed the attention of many and it didn’t take long for one of her songs to reach #1 on a local Nashville radio station. Holley has released “Odd Place To Be” and judging by the great reviews it has received, you can only count that you’d be purchasing an album worth playing on repeat. I recently interviewed Holley and learned more about her and her leaps of faith in the music world.
Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to be in the music business?
A. I didn’t even realize that music was a business for the longest time. I knew that there were these incredible super-human people who put out records, but I had zero idea how they went about it. What I knew was that I liked to sing and write songs and that was that. It wasn’t until high school that I began to consider it as an actual career option.
Q. There are so many strong female musicians in music these days. Who are a few you look up to?
A. Oh, man. I look up to anyone who’s been able to experience some kind of success doing what they love. That’s an extraordinary feat, as far as I’m concerned. I really admire the ladies who are doing “their thing,” even if it’s not the “popular thing,” like Diane Birch, Fiest and Imogen Heap. A lot of the time, (and especially for those women), doing what you love well enough will change peoples’ ideas of “popular” music.
Q. You’re currently living in Nashville, TN. What are some of your favorite things about being an artist in this city that seems to birth amazing talent?
A. I love the tight-knit little songwriting community here. It’s almost impossible to “slack” on your writing, because every other night, you’re at some amazing show or another, and you leave there going, “wow… that was awesome. I need to write some songs.” It’s good stuff.
Q. You just released your EP, “Odd Place To Be” in January. Are you playing any shows this summer in support of it?
A. Well, I haven’t announced anything formally yet, but hopefully around August/September, I’ll be planning a little tour of sorts. If anyone wants me to make a pit stop in their town (or living room!), drop me a line on Facebook. Wink wink.
Q. Artists such as Andrew Belle and Justin Branam are two known faces in the music scene also living in Nashville. Are there artists you adore from your city that are still under the radar?
A. I’ve always been a fan of the original “Ten out of Tenn”-ers. They’re a conglomerate of ten artists from Tennessee, like Katie Herzig, Matthew Perryman Jones, K.S. Rhoads, Erin McCarley… they’re all just bogusly talented. I also love Madi Diaz, The Kopecky Family Band, and The Kicks, and of course my friends Jeffrey James, Steve Moakler, and Evan McHugh.
Q. If you could do a duet with anyone, who would it be any why?
A. Justin Bieber, because I have a massive crush on him.
Just kidding.
James Taylor, because I have a massive crush on him.
Not kidding at all.
Q. What has been one of the best compliments you’ve received from someone in the business?
A. A record label executive once told me she really liked my shoes…
I think the best compliment ever is when someone tells me they’ve got one of my songs stuck in their head, or that they’re listening to it while folding laundry or driving to work. It doesn’t really matter to me who it comes from.
Q. A lot of singers these days are known to push the envelope with their song verses or when they make public appearances. How do you feel about being able to express yourself in your own music?
A. Well, you’ll never see me in a meat dress, that’s for sure. I’d rather express myself through song, and the occasional interpretive dance. It’s a lot less likely to cue my gag reflex, not to mention that songwriting doesn’t come with the risk of E. coli. Usually.
Q. What has been your biggest leap of faith since becoming an artist?
A. Becoming an artist at all. That was a huge leap of faith. That’s what “Odd Place To Be” is about, trying to decide if you’ve got the nerve to go for it.
Q. If you were stranded on an island for the rest of your life and could only bring one of your songs to listen to, which one would it be and why?
A. “Odd Place To Be.” Because being stranded on a desert island would be a really odd place to be.
The people are clamoring close, close to the ground
My head and my heart are way up, up in the clouds
My love is alive, my love is alive for you
This is the perfect day
I forget how to breathe when your mouth whispers my name
Tell me I’m yours, tell me you’re mine, never the same
I’ll light up the sky, light up the sky for you
This is the perfect day
I wanna make it last forever
I wanna make it last forever
I wanna make it last forever
This is the perfect day
From the top of the sky to the dirt under my feet
With all of my heart, I know I’m where I should be
I’ll follow the stars, follow the stars with you
This is the perfect day
I wanna make it last forever
I wanna make it last forever
I wanna make it last forever
This is the perfect day
The people are clamoring close, close to the ground
My head and my heart are way up, up in the clouds
This is the perfect day
Look underneath your window
I will wait for you, dear
Right underneath your window
I will wait for you here
Maybe it’s all just a show
And this is gunna end badly
Maybe I don’t really know who you are
But I, I don’t wanna know, I don’t wanna know
Right now, right now, no
I don’t wanna know, I don’t wanna know
Right now, right now’s just right
Just right, just right just right
Just right, just right…
Look underneath your window
I will wait for you, dear
Right underneath your window
I will wait for you here
Maybe this time tomorrow
You’re gunna ruin me badly
Maybe I’m placing my bets all wrong
But I, I don’t wanna know, I don’t wanna know
Right now, right now, no
I don’t wanna know, I don’t wanna know
Right now, right now, right now, right now, I don’t wanna know
Right now, right now’s just right
I don’t wanna know, I don’t wanna know
Right now, right now’s just right
Just right, just right just right
Just right, just right…
Sweet dreams and shiny things decorate the space
Between awake and sleeping
Sometimes is hard to force your heart to believe
When it’s no longer dreaming
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be
Standing on the brink of what is and what could be
Sometimes I swear it’s only inches away
Half in light, half in shadow
Some sleepless nights I pray for one more day
So I can just stare out the window
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be
Standing on the brink of what is and what could be
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be…
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be
This is an odd, odd place to be
Standing on the brink of what is and what could be
Standing on the brink of what is and what could be
I wake to find your hand in mine
We must have fell asleep last night, just right
The sunlights dancin’ through the blinds
The day is waiting on the line, just outside, oo
Will you always be my love?
Will you always be my love?
Now cars are passing and birds are laughing as
trees are holding up the sky in the window
do they feel it, have they seen it grow
have they been watching us, do they know?
Will you always be my love?
Will you always be my love?
(Music City Unsigned's Family Christmas Album)
City streets lit up like a candle
Holiday cheer set out on the mantle
Wind is blowing, the world is slowing down
… oh oh oh you know I’m coming home When I get to you, why don’t we go
Walk down own the street, see the trees in the windows
Snow is falling, my train is comin’ to town
…oh oh oh you know I’m coming home Untangle the lights and we’ll set up the Christmas tree
If you ask me nice, maybe I’ll go caroling
At the top of my list, all you’ll see is “home” (quiet) Stockings all lined up by the fire
Down the street, hear the sound of the choir
Singing Alleluia, He is born
…oh oh oh, I know I’m home Untangle the lights and we’ll set up the Christmas tree
If you ask me nice, maybe I’ll go caroling
At the top of my list, all you’ll see is “home”
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