In the midst of 2010, a year I can describe only as "life altering", all seemed to blaze up in an inferno. It's funny how those are the times when, while everything is so confusing, it all becomes crystal clear. A friend and advisor of mine (ok, my intuitive spiritual guide) reassured me that 2010, although quite a mess, was my senior year of high school. This was the year where I was to learn what I needed in order to graduate and make the following year the beginning of my “real” and happy adulthood. I thought if I’m not going to flunk out, I need to make some big changes. Decisions were made to end damaging relationships in every aspect and run! Maybe not the healthiest way to approach the situation, but boxes were packed, lovers were lost, jobs were left, apartments were abandoned, and off I went!
Now, just over a year later, 14,000 miles of road traveling behind me, looking back it all seems like a fortunate chain of events. Happenstance always looks sweeter in hindsight. The goal of the journey was to feed my musician spirit. So, after years of piano lessons, writing poetry, and song writing, it’s all coming to fruition. Leaving a career and stability is always tough, but when that bit of your soul is constantly nagging at you to do the right and real thing, it’s all a bit easier to swallow. I met some fantastic people along the way. It's so great to know that I have kindred spirits dotting the states.
Over the spring and summer of 2011, I returned to Connecticut and was blessed to work with a great bunch of musicians on my first album. Andy Buzzi, my exceptional guitar guru and teacher, laid some phenomenal guitar tracks and gave me the inspiration and confidence to make this happen. Dean Christiano, Jeff Nixon, and Tad Elliott, slammed on kit and box drums. Lawrence Rothermel tracked the haunting strings melodies. Thanks are huge for you guys.
Now, already 2012 (where does it go?), I am continuing to work on new music. I'm experimenting and paving my path, wherever it may lead. It's all such an adventure and I'm totally up for the ride.
xo and love, Hollander
