Hey Lila! Congrats on your debut EP "Worth It Soon" which is available on all streaming platforms! Tell us about how this EP came to be.

Thank you so much! This EP wasn't something I was planning to make until the moment I began working on it. It was a spontaneous project that came together while I was on a flight from Michigan to North Carolina. I had been avoiding recording my music for a while because I had convinced myself that I wasn't ready to. I guess that after I graduated from high school in the spring I had a lot of free time before leaving for college, and I desperately needed a distraction. I had all the songs written and some recording equipment at home, so I figured I would give it a shot and see where it leads me!

Some of your musical influences include artists like Phoebe Bridges and FKA twigs. What other artists have influenced you growing up?

When I was growing up my parents introduced me to a ton of artists I still love today like Taylor Swift, Ani DiFranco, Lady Gaga, and Tori Amos! I think Taylor Swift will always be my biggest inspiration when it comes to songwriting, but right now I've been super inspired by artists like Lana Del Rey, Clairo, Chappell Roan, Ethel Cain, Field Medic, and Maise Peters.

Every song on this EP is well arranged and produced! The first song, "Intimacy," is a great example. From the slide guitar sounding effect at the beginning to the overall spaciness of the song, this song has vibes for days. What is the subject matter of the song and did that have an impact on the way the song sounds?

I love this question. It is really important to me that the music mirrors the lyrics in my songs, and that we are effectively capturing the emotion in the song. My wonderful producer Jessica Taylor and I worked heavily with references to make my vision for this one come to life. This is actually the first track that we worked on for the EP and a song I wrote a really long time ago. It's about watching someone you love surrender to lust while neglecting the people who truly care for them. In doing so they invest their total fulfillment into being accepted by those who do not legitimately care for them. It's about having love for somebody that always keeps the ball rolling in their life. I wanted the song to feel hopeless, but not in a devastating way, just in an "it is how it is" kinda way. We created a lot of interesting texture on the track with an atmospheric approach to the arrangement to give it a laid back feeling, and I used a soft vocal approach while recording to try and keep it sounding relaxed.

Your lyrics are very relatable yet uplifting. "Up&Out" is easily a song that can be an anthem for generations to come! When you come up with lyrics to your songs, where does your inspiration come from? Furthermore, where did the inspiration for this song come from?

Thank you! Writing lyrics is my favorite part of the songwriting process. I write all of my songs using my notes app and will sort of just jot down ideas on my phone from throughout my day. It's strange but I can only seem to write songs while I am sitting on my bed for some reason, so I'll take all my notes from the day, sit on my bed, and see if anything flows. Up&Out was a song that just flew out of me. I started by randomly singing the lyrics to the pre-chorus while I was (you guessed it) sitting on my bed. It started with "I will never be alone again, I will always keep you in my head" and then I grabbed my guitar and the rest of it came out like word vomit.

Speaking of lyrics, "A Fable I Tell" has very interesting lyrics. What are the lyrics of the song about and where did the inspiration for them come from?

This song is about my complicated relationship with God. Releasing it felt scary because I didn't want to offend anyone, but at the end of the day I think feeling spiritually confused is extremely relatable. I wrote it while I had Covid for the first time. I was in the middle of a songwriting workshop at NYU about two years ago, and had to go home midway through it because of Covid. I had the huge honor of being chosen to perform 4 of the 5 songs that I had written during the program. And I tested positive for Covid on the day that they announced the set list and was sent home that night. I felt completely hopeless. I had about 5 days of isolation to think, and spent a lot of time festering in self pity. People in my life have always assured me that everything happens for a reason, but I know now that it doesn't always feel true. And if bad things can happen for no reason it means God is either not all good or not all powerful. The irony behind this is that "A Fable I Tell" is currently my most streamed song and I wouldn't have written it if I hadn't gotten Covid. So I guess everything does happen for a reason. Touche, God.

"Worth It Soon" is such a beautifully crafted song. I noticed right away that you have included what sounded like home footage audio of you when you were younger. What moved you to craft a song such as this and why did you decide to include the home audio in it as part of the song?

I wrote "Worth it Soon" the same week I graduated from high school. I joked with my mom when I played it to her for the first time that it is a song about my entire life to date, but that is the truth. I wrote it entirely in chronological order. I was feeling super nostalgic after the song was finished, and went back to revisit the home videos from my childhood that my dad had saved. As I listened to the videos I started imagining them as a part of the song, and cut and pasted everything onto the track. I think it brought the song to life in a unique way, and the audio I used from those videos made it feel like the most personal song I've ever written by far.

Aside from doing your own music, you have also worked with BENJI & Their Orchestra on their EP "hypnagogia" and "music for an elevator". I also heard that you will be working with them again in 2024 on their upcoming single "xanadu"! How did you get to work with them and could you tell us a bit about the next single you're working on with them?

Benji and I met at Interlochen Arts Academy where we both went to highschool. We were placed in the same music business class, and became good friends! Then towards the end of the year they asked me to collaborate with them on a song we titled "Until We Meet Again" on their first EP "Hypnagogia." We instantly clicked as songwriting partners and started working on their second EP "Music for an Elevator" and wrote the song "Going Up" together. Working with Benji is always an incredible experience. There is always more in the works between the two of us, and I have a feeling it will be a lifelong partnership!

You have an upcoming tour you're doing opening for BENJI & Their Orchestra. You have a show coming up on January 10th at Crossroads in Garwood, New Jersey! What can people expect at the show?

I am so excited for the tour, this has been my dream for a long time! I am going to be doing a SUPER chill laid back set with a combination of some of my released music, as well as some unreleased tracks I've never played live before. I'm doing my set all acoustic which is honestly my favorite way to play my songs.

Is there anything you would like to share with our readers?

I really want people to know how much I value all of the support I've been given by the people who are listening and relating to my music. I love connecting with people and try to follow back everyone who follows me on social media. Also, my next single Amelia is in the works and will be out later this winter. Plus, I have another 4 track ep that will be out in the spring with a summer tour shaping up.


Artist Bio
Lila Holler, the captivating alternative folk singer/songwriter, is set to enchant audiences as she joins THE 13TH FLOOR TOUR, alongside BENJI & Their Orchestra and Mariaé this winter. Known for her nomadic-inspired storytelling and heartfelt lyrics, Lila brings a unique blend of artistry to the stage.

Lila's musical journey began at 14 when a family friend gifted her an old guitar, sparking a self-taught exploration into playing and songwriting. Her journey led her to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where she graduated in 2023 with the Fine Arts Award, further refining her songwriting skills.

Influenced by a diverse array of artists, including The Marias, Ani Difranco, Phoebe Bridges, Clairo, and FKA Twigs, Lila divides her time between studying Songwriting + Performance at LIPA in Liverpool, England, and her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her deep appreciation for live performances is evident in her commitment to establishing a meaningful connection with her audience, recognizing the unique value of the live music experience.

Noteworthy achievements in Lila's young career include her song "July" earning semi-finalist status in the International Songwriting Competition, winning the 2023 National YoungArts Competition in the Voice: Singer-Songwriter category, and receiving a Scholastic Art & Writing Award. Her 4- track EP, "Worth It Soon," released on August 31st, has garnered acclaim, and her latest single, "Be a Ghost," is now available [here].

Lila's commitment to transparency shines through as she strives to establish a personal connection with her audience through relatable lyrics. Her collaborative spirit is showcased in various projects, including contributions to BENJI & Their Orchestra's EPs "hypnagogia" ('23) and "music for an elevator" ('23), and credits on Marylin Hucek's EP titled "Love and Loss" ('23).

Website: https://lilaholler.bandzoogle.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilahollermusic