Photos: Keegan Burckhard

An independent musician who has a bunch of Youtube hits and then deletes it all to start over is exactly the kind of person we would feature in Bright Young Things.

That kind of punk attitude is what we are all about. And so we introduce to you, Hollis Howard. A musician who just has it. What is it? You know, that thing. She’s a vision, she’s a talent and she’s going to be touring around the world faster than you can say go Hollis go. Bright Young Things has always been about putting talented yet perhaps undiscovered kids up on the pedestal where they belong. Get up there Hollis - it’s your time to shine.

Who are you?

I am Hollis Howard.

What do you do?

I make all kinds of sounds. 

How long have you been doing that?

Probably twenty one years.

Where is home for you?

This is a question I never know how to answer because I have moved around my whole life, and no, I am not a military child. I was born in Marin County, California, then spent most of elementary school in Westchester, California, then moved to Connecticut for middle school, and then did high school in the lovely Swampscott, Massachusetts. A majority of my extended family was from North Carolina, though, so I also spent a bunch of time there. That being said, I still don’t have an answer but I guess it's just wherever my family is.

If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing?

I paused and said umm for about ten minutes when I read this and still came up with nothing so I guess nothing? 

I am revisiting this question, I would probably be in the circus and put my hypermobility to use.

What do you think about the current state of music?

I’m pretty hopeful in my everyday life due to being surrounded by my friends whose music I'm also an active fan of. I think I exist in a pretty small but all-consuming bubble that I forget not everyone is living in, so I rarely am listening to new music that isn’t my friends, therefore this may be a biased answer, but it’s a biased answer I strongly believe in.

What do you do outside of music and how does that thing influence or affect your craft?

I have three jobs right now but one that actually affects my music is nannying. Five year olds say and do a lot of crazy things which can alter your reality pretty heavily. 

The best/worst thing about being a musician?

Best: I get to work with all of my friends.

Worst: The financial instability and random nature of pursuing an actual career in music. You kinda have to be slightly delusional to do it, which I am.

Something you’re most proud of? 

My appendectomy scars and my CD/tape collection.

Biggest lesson you’ve learnt in life so far?

Car crashes suck really bad, but they're pretty useful in testing your friendships/ relationships. You will be the most annoying version of yourself after a car crash, the ones that stick around for this are the ones that really care, the others can eff off.

Anything anyone can do today to make the world a better place? 

Making AI cat videos with the Unstoppable by Sia cover playing. I don’t really know how else to explain this I’m sorry. 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome so far in your industry?

Having to hear my own singing voice on a regular basis. It used to be so grueling. 

What is something people might not know about you? 

I got rear ended yesterday and now I have a black eye and a messed up back and neck. Also no car so if you wanna give me your car please dm me thanks @h0llish0ward on instagram! (free) (low mileage) (electric/hybrid) (really nice).

Who do you think is doing it the best/coolest as an artist right now?

Lonely Pirate Committee: The most exciting band in the whole world. Anytime I show someone LPC they actually experience temporary paralysis in shock of what they have just heard. 

Bumpa and Hamond, are the two guys I make most of my music with and my best friends who are actual geniuses. They are the hardest workers I know and their music shows it off extremely well. They are tonally so advanced, each in their own way. They both have completely different approaches to writing and producing that feel uniquely exciting to me. And last but not least Rokstar (soundcloud only) I'm not explaining this one at all.

What do you think the biggest issue young people are facing today?

Flossing probably.

A song you wish you wrote?

‘San Francisco’ by I Hate Sex. Best lyrics ever. 

Did you always know you wanted to do music?

From what I can collect from literally every single photo or video of my younger self, yes, very much so. 

What is your relationship with social media as a musician?

Platonic.

What instruments do you play and what do you wish you could play?

I play the guitar but I wish I could play the drums. Hitting a bunch of things really fast would probably help me work out a lot of my problems.