Rising Music Star Lila Holler On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Eden Gold
I wish someone told me it’s ok to take your time. I have always felt a lot of pressure to keep the ball rolling and be continuously writing and performing, but I have learned it’s so important to take your time. The art you make isn’t going to feel authentic if you force it out of yourself. I have made songs I am the most proud of when I waited for the concepts to come to me as passing thoughts rather than sitting down and trying to dig something out of myself.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lila Holler.
Lila Holler, an indie-pop musician and songwriter, finds inspiration in her nomadic upbringing across the United States. Her musical journey, sparked at 14 by a gifted guitar, has blossomed into a captivating songwriting career rich with indie-pop gems.
Influenced by artists like The Marias, Phoebe Bridgers, and FKA Twigs, Lila’s sound blends folk-pop intimacy with alternative edge. Her music is a journey through the landscapes of love, growth, and self-discovery, inviting listeners into a world where every song feels like the soundtrack to their own story.
A 2023 Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and Fine Arts Award recipient, Lila’s talent shines through her numerous accolades. She’s a two-time National YoungArts Competition winner (’23, ‘24), a semi-finalist in both the International Songwriting Competition and American Songwriter Contest, and a Grammy Camp alum.
Currently splitting time between LIPA in Liverpool and her family in the U.S., Lila’s live performances are a testament to her dedication to authentic audience connection. Whether on stage or in the studio, Lila Holler creates a musical experience that resonates with raw emotion and lived experience.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in New Jersey, but my family moved around quite a bit. We spent the most time living in Northern California, so that’s where I like to say that I grew up. My family was always music oriented. My father played the saxophone and keys, and my mother has always been a music lover. I have dreamed of being a musician ever since I can remember. My mom tells a story about how even when I wasn’t able to talk I was singing along to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” in my carseat when she sang “no, no, no.”
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
I started in musical theatre when I was 8 years old because my mom said I needed to step “out of my shell,” and I fell totally in love with performing. I would sing karaoke in my bathroom everyday until my parents went to sleep, and play my ukulele in my room until my fingers went numb. I got my first guitar from a family friend when I was 15, and I then understood that there was absolutely no plan B. Songwriting came incredibly naturally to me, and has always felt like something I had to do.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I think the most interesting thing that happened since I’ve started my career has been moving to the UK. My family has notoriously moved around a lot, but moving to the UK was a decision I made on my own. I decided to do it because I wanted to take the opportunity to study music at a university level, while also having the opportunity to travel and see some things! It’s been a wild ride. I am just coming up to 1 year spent here, and so much has happened but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Honestly I think that the funniest mistake I made when starting music, was waiting on peoples permission. I know it’s not very silly, but I spent a lot of time waiting for people I felt like knew more than me to tell me what to do and when to do it. When I had a summer of free time, and started to record my first EP, my only research was like a 20 minute YouTube video called “How to Make an EP.” I think that I assumed there was a “right way” to make music, but there isn’t and that’s what makes it art!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
The first thing that comes to my mind is my parents. They have always been my #1 fans, and provided all the support I needed. From driving me to play rehearsals as a kid, to helping me figure out how to market my music, my parents have been invested through and through. Having such supportive individuals raise me has shaped me into the person and musician that I am today. I am eternally grateful for this kindness, graciousness, and investment in my music.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I am working on my second EP right now, and have been since last November. I am really excited to share my new music, and I’m so proud of how my sound is evolving. Honestly I was not at all expecting the response I got to my first EP. I was so blown away that people wanted to listen to my songs, it still feels surreal to me. I am working towards growing my audience and I think that the songs I’ve been working on for the next project are going to really resonate with my listeners. Hopefully it will even bring in some new ones.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Diversity is maybe the most important thing when it comes to art. Representation breeds resonance. To see peoples lives and stories and cultures represented in art is why I do what I do. To see yourself in someone else’s work is such a deeply beautiful thing. I think we are all so unique as human beings, and hearing perspective on people through art is imperative to our empathy for one another as a human race.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
What keeps me motivated is hearing the ways my music has been a comfort to people. Sometimes I will receive messages or have people come up to me after playing live telling me that they are inspired or felt seen by my music. It is so special to me to hear that I have successfully connected with someone. It makes any frustrations or challenges entirely worth it.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . I wish someone told me it’s ok to take your time. I have always felt a lot of pressure to keep the ball rolling and be continuously writing and performing, but I have learned it’s so important to take your time. The art you make isn’t going to feel authentic if you force it out of yourself. I have made songs I am the most proud of when I waited for the concepts to come to me as passing thoughts rather than sitting down and trying to dig something out of myself.
2 . I wish someone had told me that it’s ok to keep things to myself. I think that with social media it is incredibly normalized in society to be constantly sharing. From what you had for breakfast to your deepest insecurities. But for me songwriting has always been deeply personal. I write about my real lived experience, and I have definitely had times where I shared more than was productive. It’s ok to write a really good song and not show a single soul. It’s ok to keep some things to yourself, because the bottom line is if you are writing about your life there are real world consequences.
3 . I wish someone had told me that it’s ok if some people don’t like your music. It is literally impossible to please everyone. I grew up with the goal to always be making people feel proud of me. I want to spread joy and better myself to a point where I am undeniably “good.” But the truth is, that doesn’t matter! And the beauty of art is that everyone will perceive it differently.
4 . I wish someone had told me that just because someone else is having success doesn’t mean that there isn’t also room to celebrate yourself.
5 . I wish someone had told me that what I am doing artistically now is just as significant as anything I have done and/or will do. I think it’s easy to feel like I am making the music I am making in order to get to some bigger goal, but the truth is my music is important and always has been. Nobody can take away or add value to it!
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
When songwriting I usually start with a melodic ideas and then find a chord progression I like and play around. I will usually end up writing about half a song at a time. I love collaborative songwriting and working with other artists I really admire. It’s been an important practice for me in writing to keep an open mind, but I find it’s when I do my best work.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
I think that my music is really honest and that sets it apart. I write about experiences I perceive in my real life. I write from a place of self reflection and often face hard truths in my writing. I try not to shy away from any topics in my writing and create all encompassing works of art.
How do you connect with your audience?
I love connecting with my audience through social media. I try to stay really active and I love when fans of my music reach out to me personally to start a dialogue on anything they have questions about. My favorite part of being a musician is the raw connection to my audience. All I’ve ever wanted is to make the people that listen to my music feel understood.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
I think self care is one of the most important things. I really have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what balance works for me. Songwriting has always been an act of self care for me. It helps me process whatever I am going through and find the words to describe my emotions. I try to take a lot of alone time and find comfortably in being alone, which helps me balance everything and stay productive.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Ideally I would be able to ensure that there are better systems set up everywhere to make sure everyones basic needs are met universally. It is not an impossible idea that everyone is fed, clothed, and able to live to the fullest extent. There are many different ways that we can ensure that more people are properly taken care of, so I would probably start trying to find ways to build new systems.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I think really reaching for the stars here I would LOVE a lunch with Taylor Swift. She is my biggest songwriting inspiration and someone I have admired my whole life. I have always had Taylor Swift to listen to growing up, and I recognize all of the ways that she has absolutely changed the game for women in music. I have endless respect for her.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
They can follow me @Lilaholler on TikTok @lilahollermusic on instagram, and Lila Holler on YouTube, Spotify, apple music, and many other streaming services.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
