MEET THE TEAM: INTERVIEW WITH HOLDOESPHOTOS

How’s it going? I’m Holly Rebecca from Manchester and also one of the directors at Northern Exposure – this is my ‘Meet The Team’ interview.

So, how did you get into music?

From a very young age, I was blessed to be from an extraordinarily musical household. Both my parents met in a brass band and shared a love for both classical music and the indie/rock movements of the ’80s and early ’90s, like Britpop. One of my fondest and earliest memories of being introduced to music was through my dad – being shown the hilarious music video to Queen’s iconic “Fat Bottomed Girls” and instantly following in his footsteps, becoming obsessed with Freddie Mercury. Music, for me, is the foundation of most core memories in my life. Whether they are some of the saddest or happiest times in my life, they all share the common denominator of a good soundtrack.

Apart from Northern Exposure, what’s the day job?

Outside of Northern Exposure, I’m currently trying to further a career in the music industry—as every aspiring professional photographer is, haha. Funnily enough, though, I’d never really voiced this before until someone I know (who happens to be a musician) asked me what the end goal was, and I got into this long discussion about how I’ve always wanted to work on the radio. One of the first films my mum and I properly sat down and watched together was Steve Coogan’s 24 Hour Party People (after little Holly had a long-term obsession with the hilarious I’m Alan Partridge). I fell in love with Tony Wilson and his work within Factory Records and the Haçienda (a nightclub I grew up hearing the most amazing stories about). Tony Wilson saw in musicians what the charts and big labels were too ignorant to open their eyes to, one of my biggest inspirations for supporting the underground grassroots. However, while the dream continues, I currently work as a freelance creative, producing photographic content and videography for musicians in and around the North West. It’s my passion, and having photography as my creative outlet is one of the biggest joys of my life. I’ve always wanted to be able to share with people just exactly what I see through my eyes, it’s never been about how I can manipulate someone to be perceived through an image; it’s always been about how authentically I can capture something in that moment and share with the world how incredible it looked through my eyes. On top of this, I also work as a social media manager for a band who I’m very lucky to call some of my closest friends. Being on the road with them, seeing their faces when they see the crowds, savouring every incredible moment, and sharing our creativity together is just a dream, and I’m very honoured to work alongside them.

Tell me about your first album that you was obsessed with and tell me a memory surrounding it.

Whilst the likes of ABBA, The Stone Roses, and Queen were some of the first artists I had on my iPod, you know, one of the tiny silver ones with like three buttons and a headphone jack, it was Florence and The Machine’s debut album Lungs that was the first album I sort of discovered on my own without it being, I suppose, inherited from my parents’ taste. She looked like a rock ‘n’ roll goddess to me, everything I aspired to be at that age. I would have traded my platinum curls for her fiery red hair any day. Her voice was so powerful to me, I wasn’t used to hearing a voice carry so much emotion, vulnerability, and passion. Performing “Kiss With A Fist” at her debut Glastonbury performance really cemented just how incredible she was as both a person and a performer. Even revisiting her later performances at Glastonbury with the likes of Dizzee Rascal reminds me just how important she was in shaping my musical taste.

Favourite photograph you ever took?

My head is in my hands trying to answer this question—I suppose this is how parents would feel when being asked to choose a favourite child, haha. The first thing that comes to mind is, weirdly, a very recent shoot I did: Richard Ashcroft headlining Robin Park in Wigan after 25 years away. Whilst it was incredible seeing bands like The Zutons, The Royston Club, and Stanleys join him on the line-up, being one of two photographers stood in that photo pit in front of someone whose music has essentially been the soundtrack to both yours and the other 12,000 people’s lives—the feeling was unmatched. The shot I managed to get is one which will probably be displayed front and centre if I’m ever famous enough to be exhibited, haha. It’s this beautiful moment where Richard stands at the edge of the stage just after performing “Sonnet” and wholeheartedly embraces the crowd. His arms are stretched out so far as if he’s attempting to wrap every single body in this beautiful moment. The lighting was perfect, and I was in just the right place—it was as if my sixth sense just knew I had to capture that moment. That moment will stay with me forever; I’m very lucky to have been able to immortalise it through my art.

Who are your favourite bands (new and old) and why?

Again, it’s like picking your favourite child, haha. A band I have to mention is Wunderhorse—I’ve never felt emotions like it when watching a performer on stage like Jacob Slater. The tunes are class, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something more than just music and lyrics within their work—it is just pure art, and you can’t say that about many musicians. Another special shout-out has to go to Ireland’s best live band, The Murder Capital, a group I will never pass down seeing and thoroughly enjoying. However, I always go back to bands like Talking Heads, Feet, The Beatles, Paolo Nutini, and The Doors that are just my non-negotiables for a good time.

Tell me something about the music industry that you love…

Whilst the music industry is the hardest thing in the world to break into, it’s so rewarding. It’s quite a personal answer, but for me, I love that there is a profession that combines everything in my life that I love, visual arts and live music. I cannot even begin to try and word how important it is to thoroughly enjoy the industry you work in. There has yet to be a time when I pick up my camera and don’t want to use it and try to produce something incredible; for me, that is the most incredible privilege. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I think, “What’s the point? I’m not good enough. Why am I even doing this anymore?” and then I touch grass and remember just how incredible what I do is and how lucky I am to be able to do it.

Tell me something you hate…

I think the obsession with making money is the worst part of the industry, that and the reliance on social media being the ‘only way you can make it’. It hurts to think that an industry based on the premise of art and creation is becoming one blinded by superficial things like your perception through social media and the way a lot of people change themselves to get larger followings. It’s something that really upsets me because it’s not what the industry is about for me and not something it was when I first really got into it, it’s a fairly new thing and it’s something I wish would just fuck off, to be frank. Bring back going to a gig on a Saturday night, where you’ve never heard of the artist, have no idea what to expect, and are there with an open mind hoping to find your new favourite band. From doing that when I was younger, I found a love for the grassroots venues and artists of Manchester, and it’s just something that rarely happens anymore, kids are finding bands through TikTok, I suppose.

How hard is it to run a non profit magazine, is it time consuming?

I won’t sit here and say it’s a walk in the park because it’s really not, there are four extraordinarily strong, like-minded women that run Northern Exposure. We sit day in and day out and manage a team of around 30 photographers and writers, doing everything we can to create the best opportunities for them and push our favourite bands and music. Obviously, the founder, Rach, has had the magazine for 10 years now, but for me and Anne, we joined the director roles with Rach and Soph about a year ago and created a management team, the Head Honchos, we call ourselves, haha. We’ve seen an upsurge in following, engagement, and contributions over the last year, and whilst it’s been challenging to manage, it’s also been the most rewarding and heart-warming thing to see our collective hard work pay off.

Best festival?

I’m ashamed to say that out of all my mates, I’m the last standing Glastonbury virgin, but until the time comes that I manage to bag a ticket, my favourite festival out of all the ones I’ve been to has to be the Isle of Wight Festival. I cried, laughed, and smiled more than I ever thought possible over the course of about four days in the nicest but most extreme heat I’ve known in England. I was honoured to be asked to go down with my good friends Arkayla as their photographer and videographer for the weekend, working with your mates is the best thing ever. We genuinely had the greatest time ever; there was something for everyone. Cal and Charlie loved The Prodigy on the Friday, I had the time of my life watching Pet Shop Boys on the Saturday, and we met some of the most amazing people ever. Don’t get me started on how great the showers and shuttle buses are in artist camping – a true luxury.

Best promoter?

As a Manc, I feel like our city has some of the best promoters in the country; however, it’s a non-negotiable for me that SJM are the best promoters nationally. I’m lucky to be able to do some work with them and have never heard an artist have a bad experience with them—there’s a reason they’re the leading promoters in the UK, 100%.

If you had to listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

I don’t want to be called basic for this haha but its got to be The Beatle’s ‘Abbey Road’. Timeless perfection. Do have to say though, Wunderhorse’s ‘Midas’ or ‘Cub’ does make it as a special mention, along with Paolo Nutini’s ‘Sunny Side Up’ and ‘Last Night In The Bittersweet’.

Last but not least, give me one new track or ep for whoever is reading this should listen to now…

There’s a list longer than you can imagine of bands I wish I could give a massive shout-out to, but you would be here all day reading it, haha. One new album I feel like everyone needs to give a listen to is Wunderhorse’s Midas, out on the 30th of August, it’s currently neck and neck with Fontaines D.C.‘s Romance for being my album of the year, but I really can’t express just how incredible this band are and how ridiculously brilliant Midas is for a sophomore album. However, if that harder rock isn’t for you, Wigan’s Stanleys are also a ridiculously talented band with their new E.P. The Gallery out later in the year. If you’re more into your Stone Roses, Smiths, etc., you need to check them out – they’re incredible. Also, Arkayla will be someone you will regret not listening to now in five years’ time when you’re in Ticketmaster queues fighting to grab the last few tickets for some massive headline they have.

Author