al andar

This album is a journey. It’s a story about being in motion, wandering, getting lost and starting again. It’s also an emotional journey, in which I explore the ways in which I connect – with places, with other people and with myself. ’Al andar’ is for anyone who has loved and lost. For anyone who has felt broken and taken bold steps to show up lovingly for themselves. It’ a love letter to the wanderers, the curious explorers, the joyful kitchen party dancers and anyone who has felt the fear and done it anyway. Las que cantamos al andar – we who sing as we go – this is for us!

The title of the album al andar – loosely translated as ‘as we go’ or ‘on the way’ – is taken from a lyric one of the album tracks ‘Leona’ – ‘las que cantamos al andar’ (we who sing as we go). The phrase encapsulates the nomadic quality of this album, a collection of songs written mostly in Mexico and Colombia, and inspired by the rich musical landscape of Latin America. ‘Al andar’ represents a sense of perpetual motion – and that eternal journey of self-discovery of which, for Holly, music is an integral part. This record is more mature that what has come before. Holly’s voice is stronger and deeper in both tone and message and there’s been a thematic shift from the angsty, guilty, longing of her last records to a place of acceptance and self-love.

Holly wrote much of this record between 2017 and 2020, during time she spent living and travelling in Mexico and Colombia. Many songs on al andar were composed on the Venezuelan cuatro – a beautiful four stringed instrument, larger than a ukulele but smaller than a guitar, which has a gorgeous melancholy tone and is also very portable.

Al andar was recorded in London, where Holly returned in 2022, a little broken and bereft and determined to turn a collection of note-book compositions into something. She collaborated with multi-talented multi-instrumentalist and producer Greg Sanders (Teotima, Juanita Euka, Lophae), who recorded, arranged and mixed all of the eight album tracks. Greg studied has a deep knowledge and respect for the music of Latin America and was the perfect person help me bring the new songs to life. Al andar also features many of the absolute top musicians from the London Latin American scene including Luzmira Zerpa (Family Atlántica), Nando Arias, Yelfris Valdés (Sierra Maestra), Ernesto Marichales (New Regency Orchestra, Jordan Rakei), Fabio de Olivera (Babo Moreno) and Will Fry (Jungle).

Holly Holden Voice, BVs, Cuatro, Piano, Miscellaneous Percussion
Greg Sanders Electric Guitar, Bass, Piano