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the AU interview: Esther Holt (Melbourne) talks new music, Aussie bands she loves and playing live shows

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Esther Holt is set to release her second EP later this year, following the release of her haunting new single “By Water” in May. She recently had a chat with the AU review about her new music, touring, influences and more. Click through for the full interview...

How would you describe your sound?

I always find it very difficult to describe my music – as whatever genre I put forward never seems to quite encapsulate it…. Dark folk, indie?! Pop?! I don’t know… haha… some kind of mongrel version of folk, I think.

Indie Shuffle recently referred to your voice as “angelic”. Have you been singing for a long time?

I have been singing for a long time for fun, and singing has always been a part of my family. I started having some lessons at school, always sang in the choir, and I did a year of classical voice at university but quit because I didn’t like the ridiculously cutthroat and awful vibe of studying voice. At that point I decided that singing was supposed to be fun and therapeutic, not soul destroying.

You’re a multi-instrumentalist. How many instruments can you play and what are they?

I started off learning piano from the age of 7 – so this really is my main instrument, and really the only one I can do anything remotely ‘fancy’ on. I learnt clarinet and saxophone at school and had heaps of fun playing in the jazz band there. At some point I picked up guitar and banjo, but on them I’m more of a four chord, Paul Kelly style player...

What sparked your interest in music? Has it always been a big part of your life?

Music has always been a huge part of my life…. Both sides of the family are musical, mum being a violinist and teacher, and dad playing double bass in Orchestra Victoria. It was something everyone in my family took part in, with various degrees of seriousness… Dad always told my siblings and I: “don’t be a musician, do something that will make you some money”… which everyone but myself listened to. Whoops!

You were introduced to the Australian public in 2013 after featuring on Whitley’s “My Heart Is Not A Machine” and playing shows around the country. Did this have any influence on the way you wanted to make music or perform in the future?

This experience definitely had a huge impact on me and my perceptions of music. Playing Splendour in the Grass exposed me to the amazing feeling of playing those big festival stages – it was just so much fun! This was also the first real touring I have done, so there were of course lessons to be learnt about the positive and negative sides of touring. Playing with Whitley has definitely impacted me musically; I think mostly to do with keeping the music in its simplest form, and not over complicating things for the hell of it.

You’ve played numerous gigs locally in Melbourne and supported artists like Courtney Barnett and Whitaker. What’s your favourite thing about live shows?

Playing live is just so much fun… mostly the interaction and energy created between band and audience is something that cannot be recreated. Also, just the freedom to have those moments that can change or be interpreted differently each time.

Your latest offering “By Water” was released last month. How would you describe this track and your forthcoming EP?

I would describe the track "By Water" as being a slow burner. I knew when I put it out that it was slightly ‘risky’, I guess, as it’s not your typical upbeat single… I think it accurately represents the feeling or mood of the EP, however, at the same time, the songs on the EP are completely different… I’m looking forward to sharing them!

Where do you seek inspiration from for your music? Are there any artists that influence your work?

It’s impossible to not be influenced, I think, and there are so many artists (past and present) that have had a definite influence on me. Feist, Paul Kelly, Gillian Welch, First Aid Kit, Father John Misty, Emmylou Harris, Whitley, Sarah Blasko, Jose Gonzalez, The War on Drugs… I could go on and on.

What are some of your favourite Australian bands? Is there a particular sound or genre that you gravitate towards?

I’m not strict with the genres that interest me by any means… I think I am more drawn to songs rather than sounds. The song itself definitely has to capture me. Some Australian bands or artists I gravitate towards would be Paul Kelly, The Drones, Sarah Blasko, Temper Trap, The Dirty Three, The Middle East, Angus and Julia Stone, Frente, Katie Noonan.

If you could work with any Australian musician, who would it be and why?

Ah, it’s so hard to choose…. Maybe Gurrumul Yunupingu – so humble and inspiring

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Esther's latest single "By Water" is out now.


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