Drake

Artist - Drake Milligan

In the last couple of years, a wave of exciting neo-traditional acts have emerged, bringing them with an arsenal of sure-fire hits that have country fans square-dancing over some Miller High Lifes till the mornin' breaks.

At the forefront is a certain gentleman by the name of Mr Drake Milligan. He's bringing this honky tonk strain of neo-traditional country to the forefront of the genre, delivering standout records and getting live crowds dancing across various festivals and headline dates.

The 25-year-old Texan has become famed for his delectable mix of Elvis and Roy Orbison charm and Garth and George country sensibility, which has coalesced into his straight banger of a debut double album, 

With not a single misstep in sight, Milligan has ventured across the pond for his first Holler Live Session, delivering some of his biggest hits to date in a stripped-back setting.

Kicking off with album highlight 'Kiss Goodbye All Night', Milligan's love drunk lyricism goes down like honey when paired with a Strait country-esque melody like this. The syrupy sentiment of the lyricism is laminated with a natural cool, Milligan shuffling side to side on his stool as he sinks into the performance.

'This song was really inspired by some of my heroes like Elvis, Roy Orbison and some of that music from the '50s". Milligan explains as he introduces his his second song, 'Don't Look Down'. 

A slow-burning pirouette that wouldn't be lost in Midland's discography, it's an endearing love song that twirls in the very moment; evoking the excitement and nervousness of the first sparks of love as two lovers touch on the dance floor for the first time.

Closing out with the barnstorming 'Sounds Like Something I'd Do', Milligan cements just why everyones getting caught up in a tizzy about this exciting young artist. The song is an unadulterated bop - straight from the late 80s country school of boot-scootin' harmony. It warrants the celebratory whoops from those in the attendance, and certainly from you watching at home.

Performing his songs 'Kiss Goodbye All Night', 'Don't Look Down' and 'Sounds Like Something I'd Do', this is Drake Milligan for the Holler Live Sessions.

Holler presents Drake Milligan for the Holler Live Sessions, performing his songs 'Don't Look Down', 'Kiss Goodbye All Night' and 'Sounds Like Something I'd Do'.

Holler Live Sessions: Drake Milligan 

Milligan is leading a pack of exciting, neo-traditional honky tonkers that are grooving country up once more.

Drake Milligan 'Sounds Like Something I'd Do' Video - Holler Live Session

Ross

Author - Ross Jones 2

Artist - Caylee Hammack 1

Everything Caylee Hammack has released since she dropped her debut album, 

, back in 2020 can be described with one word - fire.

Her recent singles, the conceptually aligned 'All or Nothing' and 'History of Repeating', flicker and glow with impulsive notions - whether it's in giving yourself completely to situations or giving in to your vices and bad decisions, whatever Hammack touches turns to gold.

Ahead of her UK tour with Tenille Arts and her appearance at The Long Road, Hammack joins Holler to record her first Holler Live Session, from the heart of London in the Betsey Trotwood pub.

"Now, I've got a new song that I really want to play you. It's not out just yet but I think you're going to enjoy it", Caylee begins as she introduces her first song, the unreleased 'Only Good Things'. 

"I wrote it during 2020, in a year that a lot of bad things were happening to a lot of people" she continues, "I believe that we get to manifest stuff through the songs we write and the things that we sing, and words have power. So, hopefully this song will bring y'all only good things".

Hammack is a born entertainer - she has this Dolly-esque ability to welcome you in with a self-effacing joke and a nudging wink before hitting you with the hard truth. "Now I'll preface to this song", Hammack notions mid-way through performing, "just to let you know, as this song isn't out yet, with my southern accent sometimes things get mis-translated". "I'm not saying crack pipe", she points and jests, "I'm saying 

Closing with 'All Or Nothing', Hammack brings that fire to the Betsey Trotwood for this acoustic performance. A scorching take, even in the stripped-back setting, Hammack's voice burns with determination and desire, delivering an anthem about going hard or going home when it comes to love. 

A consummate performer and ardent songwriter, Caylee Hammack has all the qualities of a star in the making.

Performing her songs 'Only Good Things' and 'All Or Nothing', this is Caylee Hammack for the Holler Live Sessions.

Holler presents Caylee Hammack, performing her songs 'Only Good Things' and 'All Or Nothing', for the Holler Live Sessions at The Betsey Trotwood pub in London, UK.

Holler Live Sessions: Caylee Hammack

Holler Live Sessions: Caylee Hammack Videos | Holler

Artist - Haley Mae Campbell Holler Live Sessions 1

Your twenties are a time in your life that feels ripe for writing songs about. It's when you sort of start working out who you are and what you want to be, while tripping and stumbling in and out of bars and love in the process. Haley Mae Campbell is the sort of songwriter who can distill those years of recollection and learning into 3-minute country songs we love to bop to; letting us look fondly on who we've become in the process.

"We're going to play you guys a song about falling in love" Campbell declares simply when introducing the first of her songs, 'Never Been In Love'. Alongside her guitarist and now husband, Zachary Manno, the duo slink in to the 

esque rhythm, the endearing nature of the song immediately permeating through Campbell's lyricism.

'Smoke It' takes a different tack, picking up a thick, swampy riff and stirring it into a carefree reverie about not lowering yourself to small town tittle-tattle and living your life for a change. It's a witty little song with a lot of heart, with Campbell sings "They're looking for a silver lining / I'm just looking for a damn good time / Some people like to rock the boat / But I'm just out here floating".

Closing out with the title track of her most recent EP, '20Something' perhaps encapsulates Campbell's songwriting best, an innocent and aspirational nod to living for each of life's hurdles and making some dang good memories along the way.

Haley Mae Campbell's music is exuberant and sprightly, asigns of artist loving every minute of the opportunity presented to her. If you need someone to pick you up, dust you off and remind you this is all part of the plan, you'll find it hard to uncover someone better than Haley. 

Performing her songs 'Never Been In Love', 'Smoke It' and '20Something', this is Haley Mae Campbell for the Holler Live Sessions.

Holler presents Haley Mae Campbell, performing her songs 'Never Been In Love', 'Smoke It' and '20Something' for the Holler Live Sessions at The Betsey Trotwood pub in London, UK.

Holler Live Sessions: Haley Mae Campbell

Haley Mae Campbell brings the "damn good time" to the Betsey Trotwood pub for Holler.

Holler Live Sessions: Haley Mae Campbell Videos | Holler

Artist - Tyler Braden Holler Live Sessions 1

With his recent output, Tyler Braden has been exploring the rockier side of his dynamic country sound. With the release of his latest EP, the Alabama native has turn the amp up once more, revelling in the poignant, meaty subject matter of his songwriting.

Breaking into the drop-D inflection of his recent EP's title track, 'Neon Grave' bristles and burns under the gritty tenaciousness of Braden's vocal. With a brazen desire to be laid to rest in the bar where the angels have whiskey on their wings, it's an thundering dedication to the place where tallboys are in fine supply and the bottom of the bottle is never found. 

For a song that could deafen a stadium when played with his full band, 'Neon Grave' surprisingly thrives in the stripped-back setting of the Holler Live Session. It's all down to Braden's delivery - sharp, intense and unembellished in his near growl.

With such power and fervour to his delivery, it's positively captivating when Braden delivers a song of such tenderness and sentiment as 'Friends'. The longing pours out of him, as he yearns for the one he loves to see they can't ignore what they feel for each other. 

What's particularly charming about the song is Braden's lyricism - sharing ingrained memories of expressing love through present and understated moments; "as if i've never seen you crawl across my bed / like I Love You is something we ain't ever said".

"This was my very first song to go to country radio in the States" Braden explains as he introduces his final song. "I hear they are playing it a lot on the radio here in the UK too, I'm super excited about this one". 

That song is 'Try Losing One', perhaps Braden's most emotionally-weighted and certainly his biggest hit to date. It's a heart-wrenching performance, Braden building to exasperation as he warns you of the pain and isolation of losing the one you love. 

"Try staring at the wall, pouring whiskey out / Try living with knowing that you let her down" Braden sings, the unfaltering severity of his delivery both striking and thought-provoking.

As with his contemporaries Nate Smith and Kameron Marlowe, Tyler Braden delivers heartbreak and emotional tribulation with such resolve that you can't help be carried and stirred by the weight of his words.

Performing his songs 'Neon Grave', 'Friends' and 'Try Losing One' this is Tyer Braden for the Holler Live Sessions.

Holler presents Tyler Braden, performing his songs 'Neon Grave', 'Friends' and 'Try Losing One' for the Holler Live Sessions at The Betsey Trotwood pub in London, UK.

Holler Live Sessions: Tyler Braden

Holler Live Sessions: Tyler Braden Videos | 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.

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Holler Live Sessions: Drake Milligan

Holler Live Sessions: Caylee Hammack

Holler Live Sessions: Haley Mae Campbell

Holler Live Sessions: Tyler Braden