In September 2009 Glyn Taylor of Isle of Wight Radio interviewed Holly on his "Live and Local" Show: 
audio of part 1 of interview
audio of part 2 of interview

In May 2009 Holly was interviewed by Vic King of Vaguely Sunny Promotions 

Young Island singer/songwriter Holly Kirby is currently taking her 'A' levels, but beyond that she has hopes to have a career as a professional musician. We wish Holly well. Check out her excellent web site at www.hollykirbymusic.com It is really a great site, packed with Holly's music, poetry ands art work.

I recently caught up with Holly for a quick chat at Quay Arts, Newport.

VK: Are you from the Isle of Wight ?

HK; Yes, born and bred.

VK: Are you from a musical family ?

HK: My parents both love music, although neither of them play an instrument. When I was a baby, music was playing all the time and mum was always singing to me.

VK: How did you first get into music yourself ?

HK: I was able to have piano lessons which was a good introduction. I started to learn when I was nine and finished when I was fifteen. There was a Northwood Primary School camp at Nettlestone in Year 5 which involved a talent show. Mr Thorne the Maths teacher said I was good. After that I sang in assemblies, and started to singing along with backing tracks and the piano.

VK: Are there any singers who have been influences ?

HK: Enya and Loreena McKennitt were influential. Whatever I like, I try to take omn board and put into my music. A Biology teacher gave me a CD of ten songs that he liked. One of them was 'Hallelujah' by Jeff Buckley, so I began teaching myself the guitar part.

VK: How did you first discover Loreena McKennitt (amazing Canadian/Celtic singer, harpist, pianist, accordionist)

HK: From her ' Nights At The Alahambra' DVD. I then contacted her cello player Caroline Lavelle through her MySpace (another amazing musician - VK) I told her that my family and I would be gping to Loreena's gig at Quimpere in the South of France last summer, and I met up with Caroline backstage. I am hoping to go and see her in Devon in my gap year for cello lessons.

VK: Have you started to learn cello ?

HK: I had a year of free lessons,but I can't really afford it now. I am hoping to have a few with Caroline. I don't want to teach myself wrongly. The cello has a lovely sound.

VK: What about singing lessons ?

HK: I have been having lessonbs with Alison Eade, but I have stopped now for 'A'levels. Alison has a chir called Voxpop. She has asked me to write a theme song for them.

VK: What about writing songs of your own ?

HK: Every so often one comes along. Altogether now I must have about thirty. Some are collaborations with other people. A lot of originals I haven't recorded yet.

VK: Where does the Celtic influence in your music come from ?

HK: With Enya, it came from my Dad always recording Top Of The Pops. I used to go through the tapes and write down what ther songs were. I thought 'Who is thi swith flowewrs on the piano ?'. Dad said 'We have got her on CD', and he didn't really sse the CD again after that. I actually performed on 'Stars In Your Eyes' as Enya. I got a message from her forum that she had seen it, and she sent me a signed presentation box.

VK: So what happens after 'A' levels ?

HK: I am having a gap year to concentrate on my music. I want to do as many gigs as possible and get experience. Then I want to go to Surrey University to do a Music Technology Degree. I am hoping to have a full time career in music.

We wish Holly every success.

Vic King

 

On December 19th 2008 Holly was the prizewinning guest of Amy MacDonald, performing “Poison Prince” on the stage at Southampton Guildhall in front of hundreds of excited fans. Soon afterwards Holly answered questions about the experience over a crackly MSN Messenger connection…

Did you get much chance to speak to Amy MacDonald?
Yes, sort of - but I was mostly speaking to the band. Everyone was really lovely. I was mostly chatting to Jolyon (the electric guitarist) and Adam (the drummer).

Sounds great. Backstage doesn't look very glamorous though – I’ve seen the photos. What was that food, were there snacks on the table?
Yes - loooooooads of them! lol

I like the picture of the lot of you together, with your Dad. Amy's band look a cheerful lot.
They were really really friendly.

Are you a little sad now it's over?
Yes, I wish I could do it again. It's such an amazing feeling playing to all of those people.

Did you really notice the crowd when you were on-stage? I was there – it was really loud. You must have been nervous!
Well I just sort of noticed a sea of faces! lol. I was really surprised actually, but I didn't get nervous. I think it was because Amy and the band knew exactly what they were doing and it was a really great atmosphere. I was just really excited about everything!

I noticed that "Gary Go" and his band were the warm-up act for Amy MacDonald. Did you meet them?
No I didn't actually - they sort of came and went! lol All of their gear was just left out in the corridor and they didn't have a dressing room or anything.

Gosh. Interesting to know how these things go! I wonder if it is normal for the warm-up artists stuff to be just left out in a corridor!
I wonder if Dad and I had their dressing room! Oops!
 
lol.
Sorry Gary! lol.