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NEXTnc's conversation with Eva Holbrook |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 05 July 2007 |
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 When Eva Holbrook was 10 years old, her family visited Mountain Music, a music shop in downtown Fort Collins where her father worked. “There was a mandolin on the wall,” Holbrook said. “Long story short, he asked if anybody would play it if he bought it. I said I would.”
The first few lessons were painful. Holbrook hated it. The sharp strings hurt her fingers. However, she fought the urge to quit. She took lessons for about six years. At first, she focused on bluegrass, but then she decided to take a more classical approach.
“I started listening to composers like Sati, Chopin and Brahms,” Holbrook said. “At that same time, I really got into rock music.”
For her 16th birthday, she got a teal electric mandolin. She was hooked. She knew if she wanted to pursue a musical career, the first order of business would be to record her first album. In May, she achieved this with her self-recorded album “The Very Last Dream.” In addition to her solo career, she also plays with three of her sisters and her dad in a progressive/pop/rock band called Shel.
“We get to practice every day because we all live together,” Holbrook, now 18, said.
Music is in her family’s blood. In fact, her uncle is a Gregorian Chant Master. Holbrook said she hopes to be on tour this fall, either solo or with Shel. Until then, she will be busy playing and writing more songs.
“There’s something freeing about being able to write music,” she said.
Listen to a sample of Eva's music here:
————— NEXTnc's Conversation with Eva Holbrook —————
NEXTnc: Where is your favorite place to take a walk?
HOLBROOK: We live north of Fort Collins. We have 45 acres. It’s very beautiful there. I love to walk all over our property and see the incredible view of the foothills, the beautiful sunsets and wildlife.
NEXTnc: What was it like to record your first solo album, “The Very Last Dream”?
HOLBROOK: I was very stressed; I’m not going to lie. I had a timeline and I had to have it done at a certain time. The CD release date and concert was May 12. I started the project in January. Going into March, I was running out of time and behind schedule. We had a make-shift studio in my sister’s closet, lined with egg cartons and we rented a good quality mic. It was different from anything I’ve ever really done before.
NEXTnc: If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
HOLBROOK: Probably my ego because it’s massive. It’s so true.
NEXTnc: What is your favorite thing about the mandolin?
HOLBROOK: I love the mandolin. It’s small, and I can take it anywhere. It seems less complicated to me. I also play bass, but I hardly ever play it. My fingers are small. The mandolin is something I’m familiar with and not afraid of.
NEXTnc: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live? Why?
HOLBROOK: Probably Tuscany. I haven’t been there yet. I’ve seen lots of pictures. I can imagine it. I’d really like to have an awesome music career and then retire and stay in Tuscany. I’ve always been fascinated by vineyards and wine making— that country-style living. | Only registered users can write comments.
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I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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