Artist - Louis Brennan 2 

Louie Brennan is an enigma in the UK Americana scene. A drawling chameleon who wears the vulnerabilities and insecurities of the modern-day on his sleeve, the songwriter draws familiar comparisons to Father John Misty. 

If that seems like a superficial comparison, notice how Brennan is a fellow character creator, one who keeps his own cards close to his chest while portraying the extremities of the graphically realistic characters he invents.

He embodies this style through the two songs he performs for his Holler Live Session; the sycophantic 'My Favourite Disguise' and ostentatious 'The Nobel Prize'. Backed only by wandering and belying acoustic guitar, Brennan's characters battle with themselves as the country they inhabit falls victim to its own bloated ego.

Take the way Brennan boasts through the second verse of 'The Nobel Prize'. Defiantly proud of how much of a "selfish and petulant" man he's become, Brennan cleverly backs this with bright, hopeful chords, as the overarching notion of toxic masculinity is once again swept under the rug by a society unwilling to face its own fuck ups.

Layered and unwavering, Brennan encompasses the darker side of the present day through precocious yet self-aware songs, a scything inditement of nearly everything through something so unequivocally surreal and British as humour in music. 

Playing 'The Nobel Prize' and 'My Favourite Disguise', this is Louis Brennan for the Holler Live Sessions.

Holler presents Louis Brennan for the Holler Live Sessions in London, England, performing his songs 'The Nobel Prize' and 'My Favourite Disguise'. 

Holler Live Sessions - Louis Brennan

UK folk and Americana enigma Louis Brennan joins Holler at The Betsey Trotwood pub in London to perform his songs 'The Nobel Prize' and 'My Favourite Disguise'.

Holler Live Sessions - Louis Brennan 

Ross

Author - Ross Jones 2

Artist - Riley Downing 1 

Riley Downing turns up to the Betsey Trotwood with tired eyes and a warm smile. He's a little road weary from his travels to and throughout the UK, a few stacked up late nights and the subtle haze of a hangover lingering into the afternoon. 

Though for this particular trip he's travelled across the pond solo, Riley has been most notably busy with his New Orleans-based band 

, following the release of their highly acclaimed summer 2022 album, 

As he settles into his live session in a characteristically laidback fashion, his at-first slightly elusive nature begins to dissipate. Throughout his set, Riley captures the atmosphere of a humid afternoon sat out on a worn front porch, strumming away on a humble acoustic guitar, carefree and comfortable. 

 His warm, gravelly baritone drawl takes us back down the winding roads he's wandered, recounting the tales of a young ramblin' man and the free-spirited soul-searchers he encountered along his way. 

The sleepy waltz of 'Lullaby' then invites a disarming hush to the room, its endearing sentiment a welcome interlude to the chaos of the capital. 

Riley closes his set with the similarly unhurried 'Standing Still', "a song I wrote", he says, "that's a kind of stream of conscious; standing out in the country and watching the planes". 

It's an effortless performance that speaks to the power of keeping things simple and grounded. That, you'll find, is how things are often best. 

Playing 'South Dakota Wild One', 'Lullaby' and 'Standing Still', this is Riley Downing for the Holler Live Sessions. We hope you love him as much as we do. 

Holler presents Riley Downing for the Holler Live Sessions in London, England, performing his songs 'South Dakota Wild One', 'Lullaby' and 'Standing Still'

Holler Live Sessions - Riley Downing

Throughout his set, Riley captures the atmosphere of a humid afternoon sat out on a worn front porch, strumming away on a humble acoustic guitar, carefree and comfortable. 

Holler Live Sessions - Riley Downing | Holler

Ciara

Ciara with Charley Crockett

Native Harrow 1

There's a special aura that surrounds Native Harrow. An intangible atmosphere that exudes warmth, love and aspiration for contentment. 

Devin Tuel and Stephen Harms capture the sort of celestial spirit you'd find buried in the grooves of early 60s folk records. They thrive in a minimalist freedom that's unadorned by the over-stimulated instantaneousness of modern-day. 

Their music has this grounded playfulness, equally adoring of psychedelic jams as traditional folk standards. While you may not find them melting into an eight-minute technicolour drone, their ability to harness such poetic phrasing and equally luscious sonics makes for some wonderfully epic narratives.

In this particular setting, on a sleepy and quiet Sunday morning at The Betsey Trotwood, those features come to the fore. Devin's voice fills the room with wonder and curiosity, as the pair weave tender, melodic treasures from their acoustic guitars, etching the weight of their stories into the walls that enclose them.

Performing 'Heart of Love', 'I Was Told' and 'Old Kind of Magic', this is Native Harrow for the Holler Live Sessions.

Native Harrow are currently touring around the UK, taking their fantastic fifth record,

, on a trip outside of the beautiful surroundings of rural Sussex which they call home. 

You can purchase tickets for Native Harrow's UK shows here

Artist - Native Harrow 2023 UK Tour

Holler presents Native Harrow for the Holler Live Sessions in London, England, performing their songs 'Castlewood Road', 'River' and 'Old Habits'.

Holler Live Sessions: Native Harrow

There's a special aura that surrounds Native Harrow. An intangible atmosphere that exudes warmth, love and aspiration for new experiences. 

Holler Live Sessions: Native Harrow | Holler

Artist - Treetop Flyers 1

Upon listening, you'll be forgiven for envisioning Treetop Flyers as a motley bunch of dreamers from the desert pines of Laurel Canyon; venturing out from their self-imposed isolation to invite others to revel and feast on the creative spark such a tight-knit community can famously share. 

In reality, the group are nestled into the bustling confines of London, England - a place that gives their music another definitive inspiration for their delightfully hallucinogenic Americana. Their fourth album, 

finds a cosy footing between the aforementioned desert country of their previous records with the distinctively surreal, 60s British pop of their home.

Joining Holler for our first live band session, the trio of Reid Morrison, Laurie Sherman and Sam Beer share with us the charming synergy the group can evoke; whether as a six-piece or as the subtle and harmonious trio that present themselves here. 

In this setting, 'Old Habits' reveals itself to be a beautifully wistful ode; as much 

era Elton, driven by combative sensations of longing regret and melodic relief. 'Castlewood Road', meanwhile, when slowed even further down to a sultry strut, is given room to breathe and dance in it's own glow; the calls for love and yearning  felt even more evocatively in the trio's solitary harmonies. 

If this is your first introduction to this group, then we're envious of that first time feeling; delve further and watch the world they create unfold in the breathtaking melodies they craft.

Performing 'Castlewood Road', 'River' and 'Old Habits', this is Treetop Flyers for the Holler Live Sessions.

Holler presents Treetop Flyers for the Holler Live Sessions in London, England, performing their songs 'Castlewood Road', 'River' and 'Old Habits'.

Holler Live Sessions: Treetop Flyers

If this is your first introduction to this wonderful group, then we're envious of that first time feeling; delve further and watch the world they create unfold in the breathtaking melodies they craft.

Holler Live Sessions: Treetop Flyers | Holler

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Live sessions and music videos from the world of country, Americana and roots from Holler.

The newest and best country music videos in 2024.

Country Music Videos

Holler Live Sessions - Louis Brennan

Holler Live Sessions - Riley Downing

Holler Live Sessions: Native Harrow

Holler Live Sessions: Treetop Flyers