In the ethereal realm of music, where notes dance between nostalgia and innovation, Holly North introduces us to the enigmatic world of his latest album, NO CITY NO SEA. In our interview, we delve into the creative process, inspirations, and the harmonious chaos that defines this musical masterpiece.

Hailing from the Baltic coast, born into a family of musicians, Holly North was immersed in music throughout his childhood. At age seven, he was encouraged to learn the cello, before venturing onto the piano and electric bass during his teenage years. Alongside an early musical education, he also experienced a political one, and credits living in Greifswald with leading him to become politically and socially conscious at a young age. Following a stint in New York, he gained familiarity with the electronic music scene and quickly built a name for himself via a string of celebrated releases, including his 2021 single release Youth which received over one million streams on Spotify alone, before joining Christian Löffler’s Ki Records this year.

The Ambiguous Dance of Memories and Present Feelings

NO CITY NO SEA emerges from a profound exploration of the ceaseless dialogue between memories and present emotions. Holly takes us on a journey where the past and present coexist, entwined in an ambivalent partnership. The album encapsulates a sonic ambiguity, a delicate balance between broken glass and rising flowers, between pop and club influences. It's an ode to the 'now' and the 'never,' defying conventions while maintaining a distinct aesthetic and style.

Classical Roots in a Techno Landscape

Reflecting on inspirations, he draws creative energy from classical approaches to music. The album rejects the mundane and seeks innovation, challenging the norm of simply producing what 'works.' Embracing the spirit of classical composers who thrived on variations, Holly finds inspiration in the unpredictability of classical music, a quality mirroring the nuances of real life and genuine emotions. NO CITY NO SEA becomes a testament to breaking free from techno-drops that merely conform to expectations.

The Unfolding of Musical Ideas

The album's genesis wasn't rooted in a preconceived LP format; rather, it organically evolved over a two-year-long process. Holly sketches ideas swiftly, creating a compilation of concrete yet raw arrangements. The music then undergoes a transformative phase where it is lived and tested in various daily settings. This dynamic process reveals which ideas should be discarded and where new ones should take root. For Holly, the creative journey is characterized by implementing new ideas until the very end, sometimes crafting entire sections right before the mastering phase—a testament to authenticity at the moment.

From Cello to Synth-Bass: A Digital-Analog Love Affair

The album's sonic palette is rich and diverse, featuring his vocals—a departure from previous works. The comfort of playing with vocal melodies that replace initial synth leads adds a distinctive layer to the tracks. The artist seamlessly integrates their cello alongside synthesizers and electronic bass, resulting in a dynamic blend. The electronic bass, at times disliked, becomes a catalyst for experimentation, leading to intricate synth-basslines. NO CITY NO SEA, in essence, encapsulates a never-ending digital-analog love affair—an exploration of sound that pushes boundaries and defies the conventions of contemporary music.

How are the current trends in technology and innovation affecting your work as a creative?

Well, first and foremost, when talking about “new trends,” us creatives in the so-called “West” should never forget that the technological innovations that surround us and that many understand as progress have always had the potential to carry horrific consequences for other parts of the planet. Therefore, I’m convinced that for us privileged, creative people in the “West” who have always rather benefited from this hyper-capitalism than suffered from it, it is important to understand that we can never create serious art if we are not aware of the exploitative nature of modern capitalism in which the creative industry is a big part.

Of these “new trends,” social media probably affects me the most. As a musician, I most probably need to have it to become known, to be known, and to remain known. And of course, it does take a lot of time and energy of what usually would go into creative work such as making music. But here we are again with the privileges: am I gonna complain about how annoying I find this constant self-promotion if this allows me to create music that I can live off? Hearing that AI increasingly has the power to replace producers in creating music, I am convinced it will, if we don’t change our taste in music. If we stay so predictable in what we like and don’t, algorithms will make the work for our brains as we can already see in the whole streaming machinery.

What most excites you about your upcoming release?

Probably all that comes with it. I am meeting new people, playing new shows, and having the possibility to share my thoughts on the last two years. I’m currently working on a new live show integrating a drummer into my shows to bridge different genres in more of a concert setting. As I don’t like when live music sounds like the recording we know from Spotify - here we are again with predictability within the electronic music scene – I want to perform NO CITY NO SEA live and live only, whether in a small, sweaty club, a big festival stage or in a concert hall.

But what excites me most about my new music is the fact that I know this is only the beginning of many other projects, which is probably why I’m also so relaxed about “the success” of the album. There is so much more to come, and this album is just a little, yet beautiful piece of the puzzle.

What does well-being mean to you?

Solitude yet not alone.

Is there any chance of seeing you play live anytime soon?

Yes, there is! Unfortunately, there are no live shows planned in the US at the moment (book me! haha), but I just had some debut international shows in Paris and London and I'm looking forward to the shows in Berlin and Madrid coming up. And of course, I would love to meet some of your readers on the dancefloor!

NO CITY NO SEA is not merely an album; it's a sonic odyssey that invites listeners to navigate the intricate landscapes of memories, emotions, and musical innovation. Thank you Holly for sharing your creative process, rooted in classical inspiration and driven by authenticity, making NO CITY NO SEA a transcendent experience for all who embark on this listening experience.

Photo Levin Vogt

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