This week Nasty Nostalgia talked to artist and performer Holiday Sidewinder who spilled her dream music collaboration, style Inspiration, and her life as a musician. Get inspired, below
Holiday Sidewinder by Thom Kerr via instagram.com/HolidaySidewinder
Do you remember the moment you knew you wanted to be a performer?
It never even occurred to me to question if that’s what I was going to do. Everyone in my family did it, so I just automatically started writing songs, dancing and performing from as early as I can remember.I thought that was what people did with their time and followed suit. I tried to rebel against it for a hot minute (in my teen years) by wearing 3-piece pinstripe skirt suits, sheer stockings, court heels and reading glasses and getting straight A grades. I went to a United Nations youth conference in NY and aspired to be a politician or astronomer, but I already had a record deal and was touring full time so, you know…
You recently did a cover of the Beach Boys’ ‘Kokomo’, why did you decide to cover that particular song? Can we expect more covers in the future?
When I lived in London under the concrete grey drizzle, a little California Dreaming was the only thing to brighten my day. I’d dance in front of a fan and make myself a cocktail. I think it’s just the perfect song to take you away from wherever you are and put you in a good mood. Kokomo is what you imagine it to be. You can project all your fantasies on it. I’ve done a cover of Carly Simon’s “Why”, I hope that comes out one day.
What do you think sets your album, ‘Forever or Whatever' apart from the rest of your work?
It’s my first solo album, so it sets the entire stage, the beginning of the rest of my career. It took me a decade to finish. I get so busy living and my perfectionism gets in the way. I have so much material, albums worth of music, just sitting in folders, but this felt like a body of work that went well together and covered all the ground I wanted to as a young woman- empowerment, liberation, wealth and poverty, complexities of the heart and endless adventure, all set to disco beats and 80s drum machines.
via instagram.com/HolidaySidewinder
Is there one moment in your career that you feel stands out from the rest?
There’s lots of little moments and milestones, rather than a singular event, Kate Bush “Running Up That Hill” coming on the radio in the cab on my way to sign my first publishing deal, meeting Suzi Quatro in the studio with Mike Chapman (who I was writing with at the time, who had written all of her early hits with her). Sitting on set for the Leo music video looking out to the cast and crew, just feeling so grateful to everyone who came together last minute to make that happen for me, knowing we were making something iconic and classic. Performing to 10k people in San Francisco (my largest crowd as a solo artist) supporting Mac Demarco last year. That was a thrill. Sometimes on tour, I just sit in my hotel room and feel so lucky and utterly overwhelmed and giddy with happiness.
If you could have a dream collaboration with any musician, who would It be?
I’d like to make something with Prince in the afterlife.
What message do you hope your music sends to people?
To enjoy your life, all-encompassing of all the madness and the loss and the lust. I want to lift people up, provide escapism, companionship, and reassurance.
Holiday Sidewinder by Georgia Wallace via instagram.com/HolidaySidewinder
You have the most amazing style and look that is very reminiscent of the early 1980s, is that something that you consciously think about when it comes to your wardrobe?
I never analyze it too much, I just choose things that are pleasing to me. I’m a big fan of the 80s Power Dressing, bright colors, bold shapes, I think it was a time for women to really express and project their power and influence through fashion.
Where are your favorite places to shop? Are you a big fan of vintage?
I think 90% of my wardrobe is from Squaresville. I keep it rotating because it’s all stage wear. I grew up thrifting and my grandmother is a costume designer, so I like making things myself too. Aside from some health goth pieces from when I ran a gym in London, everything is vintage. I found great stuff in Europe. Vintage Pam Hogg, Moschino. I did spend an obscene amount of money on a giant gold belt at the Versace flagship store in Rome last year. I had to!
If you could raid the closet of any woman in the world, who would it be and why?
Cher for all those original Bob Mackie pieces. I die. Then probably Donatella.
What is one trend that you wish would come back to fashion?
Slow fashion. Quality materials. Double stitching. Limited runs. Functional details (I love the tiny little bra strap grips on 1950s dresses and glove holders on the inside of coats etc). Strong and unique patterns and fabrics. I love that about the 80s -Ken Done etc. Challenging and unique. I think most vintage trends have already come back.