Interview: Singer-Songwriter Christina Holmes
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Christina Holmes is a talented singer-songwriter who recently released her second album, "Stand Up", via her record label Cove House Records. She has toured with the likes of Trevor Hall, Xavier Rudd, and Nahko of Medicine for the People. Christina’s honesty and empowering music has captivated audiences and has prompted her to share more of her life story. Her song “Forget Me Not” is a heartfelt track written about her journey of finding love with her fiancé and becoming comfortable in her identity as a queer woman and “Always” was written for her father who recently passed away and features a recording of his voice. Perhaps one of her must upbeat songs, “Positive Day,” captures Christina’s infectious energy and encourages people to see the light in their everyday life and to live life to the fullest.
Check out our exclusive interview with Christina Holmes and after reading it, be sure to connect with Christina via her social media streams as well as stream/download "Stand Up".
What prompted you to get into music?
I got into music at a very young age thanks to my Father.
Does music serve as a form of catharsis for you as you go through life's ups and downs, and how?
Yes, always. Music is my emotional outlet. Whether I am writing about the positive or the negative, music give me the outlet to be able to get out those thoughts. I express myself better through song then I do through just talking so when it comes to writing music and lyrics I tend to get deeper into the meaning/ lesson of whatever the situation was that inspired the song.
How does your personal sense of identity tie into your sense of identity within your music, and the musical community?
I am who I am and always have been no matter what the situation. I always say who I am on stage is who I am off stage. I am me.
Can you tell us about your recent tour with Nahko? How do you come to find the artists you collaborate with, and what's essential to you in terms of collaboration?
The Nahko tour was incredible, in all aspects. It was a dream come true and I am honored and blessed to have been able to be a part of it. When it comes to finding people to tour with it really just comes from people I listen to and am inspired by. Then my manager and I go about reaching out to their team and seeing if we could be a good fit. Sometimes it takes months, even years to get to the point of agreement but at the end day I never give up. All anyone can say is no.
Was going acoustic a conscious choice, or is it just stylistically what you fell into? And how did you find your sound?
I have always been in love with acoustic and it's always been something I knew I wanted to play and make music with. I found my acoustic sound at a young age and experimented with a couple different sounds and genres on my first album, Peace Love and C.Holmes. Even with the different sounds on that album I still would always perform them acoustically. There is just something about it and I will never leave the acoustic behind.
What's the importance of your music being uplifting, and affecting listener's state of mind or mood?
My main goal has always been to spread music to help change someone’s day for the better. I think it’s important to show people it’s ok to feel their emotions no matter what it is and to believe in yourself even when it feels impossible. I want my music to help heal people but also allow them to see that anything is possible if they try.
Who are the biggest inspirations in your life, and in your music?
My biggest inspirations in life would have to be my parents. Throughout my life they have shown me how to be the best person I can be and they also believe in my dreams as much as I do. They have also been the hardest working, most loving parents and have always supported me in whatever I set my mind too. My Dad unfortunately passed away two years ago but still impacts my day to day as my inspiration to never give up. My biggest musical inspirations are Tracy Chapman and Bob Marley.