Holly Ann Rossmiller | Diamond In The Rough
Written By: Jameson Ketchum

ou may have noticed that we here at Hopecore.com Magazine tend to be a boys club. Its not that we are sexists, there are just few female artists that either land on our radar or manage to grab our attention. We mean no disrespect for this but at the same time, when one does achieve this feat; you can guarantee that we are serious. Music fans in the Northwest have been abuzz about Holly Ann Rossmiller for some time now and finally with her release of Ravens this past December, Rossmiller is ready to hit the ground running. The record, which boasts an array of airy piano driven tunes, was produced my mellow guru Aaron Marsh of the now defunct Copeland. Holly Ann Rossmiller is a diamond in the rough just waiting to be discovered by more than just a local scene. Holly Ann was kind enough to answer a few questions for Hopecore.com recently. Be sure and check out her full length debut Ravens available now on iTunes and hollyannmusic.bigcartel.com.

When did you start writing music?

Holly Ann Rossmiller: I started Writing Music In 7th grade and playing small open mic nights in my area and some school events. Whatever I could get my hands on really. By 8th grade I was writing consistently and for a middle school graduation present my parents took me to a small studio and let me record 10 original songs. I’m so grateful that my parents supported my early start in the music world!

When would you say you knew that you wanted to pursue music as more than just a hobby?

HR: Writing music quickly became my main hobby in early middle school/ high school but I don’t think it was really till late my Junior year in high school that I started making plans to fully pursue music and fore-go college for awhile. No matter how much I knew I loved to write music and perform, there was always that voice in the back of my head that convinced me pursuing music wasn’t an acceptable career choice. But as I started making more and more friends within the Portland music scene, the idea of supporting myself off of music became more tangible, and something I knew I would be happy doing.

For those who haven’t yet heard of Holly Ann, how would you describe your sound?

HR: It’s funny that I wouldn’t be able to describe my own music- but I tend to have a hard time with this question! If there is such a thing, I would call it alternative-easy-listening. A combination of pretty piano and vocal melodies, with alternative undertones and heavier, often dark lyrics that drives the sound away from run of the mill female piano pop.

Your record Ravens came out in December and has been steadily gaining more and more notice. Walk us through what inspired these songs?

HR: All of the songs on Ravens are inspired by times in my life, good or bad, where the only cure was to literally just write it out of me. Lyrically, Ravens deals with love, loss, and spiritual battles on a broad scale and on a really personal intimate level. So I guess when it really comes down to it, Ravens is just inspired by my perception of the last several years of my life and my personal triumphs and shortcomings.

The saying is that artists have a lifetime to write their first record but only a few months to write their second. Do the songs on Ravens go way back?

HR: I 100% agree with this saying! And Ravens definitely follows suit. Some of the Songs like “Red” and “Love Me” go back four years, where as “Empire” and “Grow Me Strong” were written just a few short weeks before leaving to record in Florida. Some of the older songs after reworking them with Aaron Marsh really took on a new light for me though. It’s amazing how you can write a song and come back to it years later and find a completely new meaning in the lyrics and music.

You had a pretty unique opportunity for a blossoming artist in that you had the chance to have Copeland’s Aaron Marsh produce your record. How did this partnership come about?

HR: When I started looking for producers to work with to record a full length album, I knew pretty well the kind of sound I wanted to achieve; I just didn’t have the means or musical knowledge beyond piano and vocals to complete my vision alone.  After working with a few producers in the Portland area who just didn’t quite understand the sound I was going for, I started thinking bigger and contacted all of the musicians and producers that had influenced my music hoping to get a response from someone. Aaron Marsh emailed me back, and after a few messages back and forth I was extremely confident that I could make the record I wanted to with him. So I took a leap of faith and bought a one way ticket to Florida hoping for the best. And I certainly got the best, and more!

What was it like working with Marsh? Did he have a lot of ideas for your stuff or was he pretty hands off and let you do your thing?

HR: All I can say is that Aaron Marsh is a genius and an extremely kind genius at that! Working with him was so easy, and I could be as much or as little hands on as I wanted to be. Aaron definitely had an immediate vision to add to mine, but if there was ever something I wanted to try even if he didn’t completely agree, he would hash it out with me, and let me decide if the part was how I wanted it to sound. And when it came down to songs or parts that I really didn’t know how to build on, he would come up with several ideas for those parts so I could still pick and choose instruments and melody lines, and really be an interactive part in the recording process. It was really the perfect scenario for coming into my own sound, with strong guidance from one of my biggest musical influences. I think anyone who listens to the record can agree that the signature Copeland sound definitely runs its fingers through Ravens. Working with Aaron was really a dream come true and I couldn’t be more blessed to have him as a musical mentor in my life. Him and his wife Niki along with many other Lakeland natives became true friends that I know will be in my life for years to come. I’ve already made one visit back to Florida, and am planning another!

“It’s SUCH a great feeling to get compliments from all types of people who are keen to all different genres. I’m proud to have created a record that I feel fits into the music catalogue of a lot of different types of people.”What kind of feedback have you been getting on the record so far?

HR: Positive feedback so far! And I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve gotten from friends, family, and fans. From the general listeners I’ve been getting lots of feedback on the easiness and moodiness of the record, as well as the emotionally charged vocals. From the fans with musical backgrounds, and other bands I have gotten compliments on the song structure and production of the record. It’s SUCH a great feeling to get compliments from all types of people who are keen to all different genres. I’m proud to have created a record that I feel fits into the music catalogue of a lot of different types of people.

Who have you been getting comparisons to?

HR: I get Ingrid Michaelson and Regina Spektor the most. I think my style is very different from both of these artists, but people relate the jazzy voice inflections and piano based songs to Ingrind and Regina. I get “a girl version of Copeland” a lot. (Laughs) I’ve also gotten Sara Blasko, Norah Jones, and A Fine Frenzy. People are often quick to compare, but I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people who recognize Ravens as something different in the world of female singer/songwriters and that’s exciting as a new artist. It’s always a huge compliment and super flattering to get comparison to musicians that I’m so inspired by, but I’m always searching for ways to really bring out my unique musical point of view.

Where can readers pick up Ravens and where can we see you on the road next?

HR: Ravens is available on iTunes, Amazon, as well as on my personal online store- hollyannmusic.bigcartel.com As far as being on the road next I’m working really hard to plan a summer tour! I don’t have any dates right now but I love being on the road and I’m excited to start getting the details worked out.