Interview by Erwin Van Dijk
The first question: who is Sally Holliday?
Oh geez, what a question to start with. Well I would like to say that I am a wild child leading a rock and roll lifestyle but that would be an outright lie. I guess I am laid back, down to earth and approachable. I love nature and I am a photographer, which helps with the awareness of the world and beauty around me. I love old architecture and it riles me to see modern, characterless buildings replacing them. Anyway I could rant on about that for ages.
How did you get into the music business? Did you always wanted to become a singer?
I did always have a passion to sing however I was very shy as a child and I did not think that I would be able to get anywhere with it. I joined a cover band when I was living in Wales and it spiralled from there. Although I have been in bands for many years I never thought that I would get this far with it, it is still incomprehensible to me.
How would you describe your voice?
Hhmm, I find that my voice is fairly resilient. I like to push my voice to its limits to help it expand both higher and lower in notes and I shall continue to develop it. I still have a lot to learn and to do more to enhance my voice. It is a never ending learning curve. I really do not know how to describe my voice. Others have said that it is powerful however I am very self-critical and feel that may be too complimentary.
Guitarists and drummers can talk endlessly about their gear. Since you are the singer of Hanging Doll, what do you do to keep your voice in top condition?
I do not really have set rituals to help my voice although I know that I should. I do love tea and that is not good for the voice but I do try to eat sensibly and exercise my voice by doing scales and various vocal techniques.
Have you played in other bands before Hanging Doll? Or do you have an other band besides Hanging Doll?
Yes, with the various cover bands and then I started to join original bands but it is hard to keep original bands going and the motivation if the ideas are not on the same wavelength. The guys in Hanging Doll are like brothers to me. We get on so well and we all have the same visions and drive. We are always trying to test each others abilities and push each other out of our comfort zones to expand our horizons. No, I did try to stay in two bands but it was too difficult I needed to give my full attention to one band and I decided that this band had more potential and I was more passionate about the sound and ideas that they have.
So what kind of music do you listen yourself? And who is your favorite singer?
I love 80’s goth and also various metal (glam, death, doom) and rock. I like a lot of instrumental, experimental and classical too. I am also fairly open minded with other styles of music as I feel it is good to consider other techniques and sounds. I do not really have a favourite singer but I love the vocals of Siouxsie Sioux, Julianne Regan (All About Eve), Rozz Williams (Christain Death), Gitane Demone, Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays)
About Hanging Doll: were did that spooky name come from?
Haha! Well it was before I joined. The guys tell me it was when they were watching Silent Hill and there is a scene in an old school with a hanging doll.
And, can you tell us something about the band in general? And the other members of the band?
Hanging Doll tend to be categorized as a gothic rock/metal band. Having said this we are inspired by numerous genres of music, which do and do not fall into such a category so I would like to think that we are a broader form than that . They are crazy lovable rogues haha! Although I am biased they each have such great talent and the individual input that they give keeps the sound, inspiration, ideas and band relationship strong.
Your debut album is to be released this year. Can you tell us something about it? About the songs and music? Will there be much difference with the music on the demo and EP?
We are hoping for a Sept/Oct release although a date has not been confirmed yet. The songs vary from love to death and war. I feel that the tracks interlink well with a good variety of sounds and feelings. We have strings on the tracks that are from the EP now which has increased the overall impact so they do sound quite different now.
Can you tell us something about your involvement with Rock of Ages fest and the Clive Aid Festival?
It was a great honour to play to support Clive and raise the money to help with his treatment and that of others with similar conditions. It was a fabulous event and there was a lot of warmth and good vibes from the other bands. There was a lot of adrenaline but I disappointed that there was no spandex. We will do all that we can to help with this cause.
And how did you manage to arrange a tour in Brazil? Are there any plans for a tour in Europe?
It was organized through Gotham Records, Birmingham. There are no plans for a European tour yet although we hope to organize one very soon.
And the last question, are there things the reader should know that I haven’t ask?
We have a my space site : www.myspace.com/hangingdoll The official website will be viewable shortly at http://www.hangingdoll.com/
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