al andar
“A captivating fusion of Latin folk and contemporary soul-pop."
“This album confirms Holden as one of Britain's most compelling cross-cultural voices, an artist whose nomadic heart has found its proper home between languages, between traditions, between who she was and who she's becoming.”
“al andar confirms Holly Holden as one of the most authentic and versatile voices on the alternative scene with a global soul.”
‘Al andar’ is for anyone who has loved and lost. For anyone who has felt a little broken and taken bold steps to show up lovingly for themselves. To the wanderers, the curious explorers, the joyful kitchen party dancers and anyone who has felt the fear and done it anyway - this is for YOU!
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 me, music is an integral part. Most songs on this record 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 I 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), Fabio de Olivera (Babo Moreno) and Will Fry (Jungle).