In less than a year, Holly Humberstone has become one of the biggest breakthrough artists in the UK.

Her debut EP 'Falling Asleep At the Wheel' arrived in summer 2020 to critical acclaim; she was awarded #2 on the BBC Sound of 2021 Poll, included BBC Radio 1’s Brit List and featured on Amazon Music’s Ones to Watch 2021.

With over 100 million streams under her belt to date, the 21-year-old has also already performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Late Late Show with James Corden.

Her new single 'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' has just been released – so we caught up to learn more about her influences and inspirations.

1. What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
I was really lucky growing up with two parents with amazing music tastes. Music was literally always playing in the house or in the car on the way to school and it was stuff across the whole spectrum. We listened to everything from Damien Rice, Bon Iver and Radiohead, all the way to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin - so I’m really inspired by so much music and very, very grateful to have had such cool parents. I think it influenced me so much as a child that I never really stopped listening to it. Damien Rice has probably been one of my all time favourites since I was about six.

2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Extreme intense anxiety.

3. How do you wind down after a gig?
There is genuinely no better feeling after a gig than cracking open a beer and feeling like you’ve truly earned it. You have so much adrenaline and I’m never ever ready to call it a night straight after a set, so it's the best time having my friends around to hang out after.

4. What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
There are so many songs I wish I’d written, but if I had to choose one it would probably be 'Motion Sickness' by Phoebe Bridgers. I just think it has the catchiest chorus but also the personal lyrics that I love and really connect to.

5. You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
Today is a rainy day so I’d pick:
'New Ways' by Leif Vollebek'
'Capacity' by Big Thief
'O' by Damien Rice

6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
The record is 'OK Computer' by Radiohead. I can’t really describe why, but it’s a masterpiece.
The book I choose is 'The Hobbit' because it’s my favourite thing ever and I never get bored of it.
The movie I choose is 'Moonrise Kingdom', because it’s so sweet and pure and just good happy vibes.

7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
I'd love to have Baz Luhrmann direct and for the actor probably Saoirse Ronan, because I think she’s the coolest.

8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
It really depends how I’m feeling on the day. Today I’d go for something comforting like pizza, as you can’t really go wrong with Italian.

9. Describe your perfect day off.
For my perfect day I think I’d get all of my sisters and friends 'round and have a little party in my garden. It's simple but it's what I’ve really missed the most over lockdown. I feel like we'd have lots of catching up to do and I’d really like to just eat nice food and dance with them for a day!

10. Tell us, in one sentence, why we should come to your next gig (whenever it may be.)
I've never even played a headline show before, so I already know how special and meaningful it will be for me to finally play one. After a year of no gigs I don’t think people will have any excuse not to come!! We all need to make up for lost time and I'm personally vowing never to saying no to another social event ever again!

BONUS QUESTION: Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it.
I highly recommend the podcast 'Invisibilia' by NPR. They tell these crazy stories about human behaviour and every episode is gripping and it will genuinely change your life - just trust me!

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'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' is out now.