Holden Miller – My Brain is Fired

By starrymag | January 2, 2024

By: Sammi Turano

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My sound is “Holden.” Sure, there’s some indie-folk, alt-pop and indie-rock undertones, but it’s hard to pinpoint one genre that you could box my music into. I’m ever evolving, and so is my sound.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) There are SO many artists to attribute my sound/writing to including Jason Isbell, The Beatles, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Alexander23 and Barenaked Ladies. My dad and brother are also big inspirations to me as a musician.

 

Q) “I Lose my Sh*t Over You” is the debut single off your album My Brain is Fired. What is the inspiration behind that song?

 

A) “ILMSOY” was one of those songs that I needed to write versus it being a song written in a session. I was experiencing some serious hurt and heartache and the only thing I could do to make myself feel better was to put my feelings into words and music and that’s how this song was born.

 

Q) The song has some powerful lyrics. Why do you think people connect to them?

 

A) I think most people who have experienced love have also experienced their heart being ripped out of their chest. Love is such a vulnerable thing. I also think a lot of people know what it feels like to have their mind consumed by somebody. That is this song.

 

Q) It also has an incredible music video—where you’re sitting, and several scenes are shown on your body. Tell us the concept/meaning behind it.

 

A) The meaning is up to the viewer’s interpretation. The concept was from my creative director and friend, Ben Spiro, who was obsessed with creating some sort of projector art. Originally the concept was much bigger, but when we went to our first location in the woods, we saw the magic in the simplicity of a pitch-black background and the scenes on my body. This is my favorite part of guerilla filmmaking; you have to adapt to your budget and resources and environment and sometimes the simplest concepts wind up being the most captivating.

 

Q) What was the biggest challenge of doing the music video for “I Lose My Sh*t Over You?”

 

A) Hiking up a STEEP hill with all of the equipment several times…No, I’m kidding. I think the biggest challenge was being open to letting our concept lead the way and being willing to adjust accordingly. Like I said, we originally were going to film in a bunch of different locations, but there’s stuff you can’t plan on until you’re out in the field doing it.

 

Q) You have described your album My Brain is Fired as a combination of your “fun loving personality” and “anxious, borderline insomniac cranium.” How did you come up with this concept?

 

A) The idea of My Brain is Fired actually started as a line from a song that doesn’t even sound much like the actual “My Brain is Fired” song you can hear today. It sorta just fell out of my head. I think I had been thinking a lot about the love-hate relationship I have with my brain.

 

Q) Which song(s) off the album are your favorites and what makes them so significant?

 

A) “I Lose My Sh*t Over You,” which we talked about, just feels like it’s pushing boundaries creatively while still being so raw and authentic. I also really love “The Messenger,” which is a sentiment that came after filming the music video for the song. It breathed new life and new meaning into it for me and really made me appreciate my own work. I also wrote it with one of my best and first friends in LA and it’s very special that his creative voice was able to make it on the album.

 

Q) What were some of the challenges of working on My Brain is Fired?

 

A) Finding cohesiveness throughout the process. I didn’t originally set out to create an album, and I feel like my sound was developing as I made each new song. Looking back now I feel like the album flows really well and is a great look into Holden Miller as an artist.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before the lyrics can come to you?

 

A) I don’t have one set way of writing a song. I constantly am jotting down ideas in my notes app. Sometimes it starts with one of those. Sometimes it starts with a melody I have in my head or a cool riff or progression. Sometimes it’s a combination of some or all of those. Sometimes I write alone and sometimes I collaborate. I think that’s the beauty of songwriting; there are no rules.

 

Q) My Brain is Fired has so many powerful songs. What emotion or message do you hope lingers with listeners?

 

A) I hope people feel less alone and more heard. I hope people ponder life and question themselves and want to follow their dreams.

 

Q) Now that this album is released, do you plan on going on tour?

 

A) I would love to go on a longer, extended tour. Just waiting for the right opportunity.

 

Q) Who are some people you would like to collaborate with in the future?

 

A) Jason Isbell would be a dream. I’d love to collaborate with Still Woozy, Noah Kahan and Noah Floresch. Harry Styles would be pretty cool.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

 

A) Thank you. Thank you for welcoming my first big project with open arms and allowing me to be my vulnerable, genuine self without judgment. Thank you for making ME feel less alone.