Arrowtown-raised singer songwriter finalist again in Silver Scrolls
She’s been likened to folk legend Joni Mitchell, but Arrowtown-raised Holly Arrowsmith’s own unique folk, ‘alt country’ style has made the Top 20 songs in APRA’s prestigious Silver Scroll Awards for the second time.
Holly’s song Desert Dove – the first single on her upcoming new album, is right up there as a finalist alongside other top NZ singer-songwriters like Tami Neilson, Marlon Williams, BENEE, Tiny Ruins and Ny Oh.
“I feel really humbled and honoured to be chosen with some of these people who’ve been my NZ music heroes,” she says.
The winner will be announced on November 4 with APRA (Australasian Performing Rights Association) member songwriters voting for their Top 5 favourites. Voting closes at the end of this month (July) and should be announced soon after.
Holly was born in New Mexico and Desert Dove - the first single on her upcoming new album, is very much a poignant, but also uplifting, tribute to her American grandfather, Rex. She wrote it on his passing several years ago. Rex was something of an idol, having traded belt buckles and jewellery with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. “Music was always part of the mythology of my childhood,” says Holly. “All those stories informed the kind of music I was drawn to – the folk and country western."
Recorded with Tom Healy – also Marlon Williams’ and Tiny Ruins’ producer, Holly says she wrote Desert Dove in Rex’s honour. “He was probably one of the first significant people I lost in my life, and it really hit me hard. I was so far away,” she says. “I read a beautiful poem by Adi Al Riga about hearing a dove that sounded like it was weeping,” she says. “It reminded me of the dove that lived by my grandparents in the desert near Tuscon when I was little. I’d wake to the dove every morning and my grandfather would be outside feeding birds in his hands.”
“I kind of wrote it for anyone grieving someone they’ve lost. I suppose it's an ode to the courage it takes to get up every day in the midst of that.”
Now based in Christchurch for her music, Holly says her formative years in the Wakatipu from age seven definitely shaped her original music. “The beautiful natural environment was a big influence.”
She says becoming a mum in 2020 changed the focus of her writing. “I was always interested in writing about being human, first through the metaphor of the natural world,” she says. “There’s more of a shift now to exploring that through real stories, people I’ve loved or lost, things I see, hear and read.”
A shy teen, she would only ever sing in her bedroom until a Wakatipu High School music classmate made her aware of her talent one day. Winning a few high-profile local competitions, including Songstars, in those early years built her confidence. Her Songstars prize included an EP recording with Tom Lynch and Steve Roberts, producing The River.
Still performing locally from time to time at The Sherwood, Holly’s songs are always honest and emotionally revealing, which resonates with her fans.
Holly’s now recorded three albums, one with help from crowd funding, and she’s penned and performed dozens of songs. “I’ve always loved the composition and writing.”
By 2016 Holly’s album - For The Weary Traveller – had won Best Folk Album at the NZ Music Awards. She was also nominated for a Silver Scroll for ‘Love Will Be A River’ from that album.
After a move to Auckland in 2015 Holly played many gigs and became part of the NZ music community. “It’s such a wonderful community of really beautiful people. Half of these Top 20 finalists are my friends and we’re all so supportive of each other.”
In addition to its 2023 Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka, APRA has also announced the Top 5 waiata nominated for its Maioha Award.
Visit: hollyarrowsmith.com @holly_arrowsmith
