Quick Hit Artist Interview: Greg Holden

Greg Holden at the Moroccan Lounge

Interview with the artist. Enjoy:

How would you describe your music? This is always a difficult question to answer without either sounding like a hopeless cliché or a pretentious asshole. But a while back I referred to it as English Americana, and that sort of stuck.

I found your lyrics just so emotional. Would you mind talking about your writing process? My best songs almost always come out of learning or reading about something that truly devastated me, which is probably why my shows are filled with songs about refugees, the homeless, and suicide. Great party songs for a Friday night show!

I read that you've spent your music career in London, New York and Los Angeles. Any thoughts on the differences/similarities in those cities when it comes to their music scenes? They’re all so different. When I lived in London, I still had a day job, and wasn’t “in the scene” or anything like that, so I would never try and speak for London’s current musical climate. It’s a great city though and people are really open to unique expressions of art and music (especially when the weather’s nice, ha ha). New York was just immediately home for me, and where my favourite musicians and best friends lived and played. It was a wonderful time in my life, filled with nightly live collaborations, too much booze and countless inspirational moments in the city with freakishly talented musicians and people. Unfortunately, New York has out-priced itself and has driven away many of its creators. There’s barely any music being made there anymore. Money is what makes and breaks that city, and always will be. A bummer really because it’s such a great place to live and create in. Los Angeles is booming, and everywhere you turn someone is creating something. I didn’t love it at first, but it’s growing on me in a profound way, and I’m always creating here, and have no shortage of people to do it with. Each city is wonderfully unique in its own way and I’m very grateful to have lived in all of them.

Own Q&A: I heard you are a vegetarian. That sounds like that would be a challenge on the road. Any tips on how you make it work? Whole Foods and Chipotle.

Interview originally published on CaliforniaRocker.