Bursting back onto the scene in 2021 with an exquisitely addictive new single that expertly combines her empowered attitude, bold lyricism, and stunning vocals with an immaculately bright, catchy sound, Hollie Gautiér shares her latest female empowerment anthem ‘Little Men’.
Hollie is impressively candid with her songwriting. She conveys her lyrics effortlessly with a raw sense of self-awareness and a rich tone that is often compared to the likes of Jorja Smith and Amy Winehouse.
‘Little Men’ was written based on true events. Speaking more on this, Hollie explains:
I wrote this song in complete frustration straight after getting home from a music industry networking event. I showed an A&R man my songs and he gaslit me into thinking I didn’t know who I am as an artist, or what I wanted to say in my lyrics and that I needed him or “another male mentor” to guide me so I’d have a chance of being successful in this industry. He also didn’t believe me when I told him I waitressed full time to pay for promo, music videos etc myself and said that my parents must have helped me because I wouldn’t have been able to balance everything on my own.
In a recent interview with Spinex Music, Hollie Gautiér, discussed the legacy of her career, her personality and her recent single “Little Men”. Check out the interview below and be sure to stream “Little Men” beneath.
STREAM “LITTLE MEN” BY HOLLIE GAUTIER BELOW❖ Briefly introduce yourself for the benefit of those who don’t know you.
Hollie Gautiér: Hello! I’m a singer songwriter from a small village in Surrey. I make pop music to make up for the fact I’m not popular.
❖ Your last two releases were named ‘Track of the Day’ by BBC Introducing. What was your reaction towards this acknowledgment?
Hollie Gautiér: Yeah it was surreal! 2 years ago it was a dream of mine to get noticed by the BBC and the wonderful lady at my local BBC Introducing, Melita, reached out and she has been so supportive of my music since. My next goal is to get noticed by BBC Radio London!
❖ How has the outbreak of Covid, impacted your music career and your life in general?
Hollie Gautiér: Yes definitely. Like all other creatives the opportunity to express our art physically in front of a live audience was completely taken away and I really miss that feeling of intimiacy at a gig. I’m so excited to get back to it in June (fingers crossed).
❖ Explain the rationale behind your new single ‘Little Men”?
Hollie Gautiér: I wrote this song in complete frustration straight after getting home from a music industry networking event. I showed an A&R man my songs and he gaslit me into thinking I didn’t know who I am as an artist, or what I wanted to say in my lyrics and that I needed him or “another male mentor” to guide me so I’d have a chance of being successful in this industry. He also didn’t believe me when I told him I waitressed full time to pay for promo, music videos etc myself and said that my parents must have helped me because I wouldn’t have been able to balance everything on my own. ‘Little Men’ is an alternative pop track that empowers females and exposes this sexist ‘little men’ mentality that is often used to make women feel inadequate in comparison. After talking to other women in the creative industry who have experienced similar conversations, I knew it was so important for this song to be released and it’s was surreal because the track was premiered on the BBC in the same week as International Women’s Day. I just want to be part of the conversation and Little Men is that.
❖ If you are to choose anything over music what would that be?
Hollie Gautiér: I honestly don’t know. I’m really into fitness and health. I find exercise such a stress release and I studied Nutiriton at uni because I wanted to help others feel the same. But to be honest, there’s nothing else I’ve found that’s as therapeutic to me as music. I’m an emotional person and music is the only thing I’ve found that looks after that part of my brain. I’m very grateful that I have music.
❖ Growing up as young girl have you ever envisioned yourself choosing music as a career?
Hollie Gautiér: Yes 100%! I wrote my first song age 6 and wrote poems before that. I used to give performances at the end of my grandparents kitchen and they were always so kind and supportive. It sounds cliché but I’ve always felt not listened to growing up and music was a way of me being able to express however I felt in a really beautiful way.
What are some of those skills that you have or that you intend acquiring that you think will help you in your music career?
Hollie Gautiér: I’m so passionate about writing a great song and I’m constantly trying to improve on the way I write. I love emotions and feelings, I’m so determined to move people through my music. I’ve been an indie artist for 3 years now and I think other artists will agree that the music industry is tough, there’s a lot of rejection. I think resilience and self believe is something you need to have to push through the hard times. When I feel down, I remind myself that as long as I love music and believe in myself then why shouldn’t I be the creative that succeeds out of the thousands?
❖ Do you think that your great music talent is inborn or learned?
Hollie Gautiér: I think it’s both. I think that there needs to be that fire for music within you first that’s almost like an instinct. For me, music is what makes me feel closest to who I truly am so I think that’s important. But I think technique can definitely be taught, so I’m learning and practicing every day to get better at what I love!
If given the opportunity to open for any artiste who will It be and why?
Hollie Gautiér: This is such a hard question because I love so many different types of artist, it’s like asking which child I like more. Right now I’m gonna say Dua Lipa, I love her!
❖ Who are your major music influences?
Hollie Gautiér: Jorja Smith, Amy Winehouse, Tove Lo initially but I’m always being influenced by different artists. I’m loving Arlo Parks at the moment.
