Australian indie pop artist Holly Hebe talks about identity crises, artistic discovery, and more in a candid conversation about her sophomore EP ‘Ruby’ and its enchanting anthem “Bottle Blonde,” a cinematic and dreamy soundtrack to inner reckoning and redemption that proves as catchy as it is cathartic.
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Stream: “Bottle Blonde” – Holly Hebe
I first bleached my hair when I felt really restless and stuck in my life, so the bleached tips are a symbol of that.
There’s nothing like a good identity crisis to rebalance, reorient, and reinvigorate ourselves.
Or so Holly Hebe would have us all believe. The 22-year-old’s latest single is a cinematic and dreamy soundtrack to both inner reckoning and redemption – to feeling out of sorts with ourselves or our lives, and actually doing something about it: Reclaiming control through acts that may seem reckless and/or impulsive, but still nevertheless lead to healthy(ish) outcomes. The Australian indie pop artist comes alive on “Bottle Blonde,” an enchanting anthem of identity crisis, action, and empowerment that proves as catchy as it is cathartic.
I didn’t keep my curls
from when I was a kid
Nothing that a bottle of
home-brand bleach wont fix
You grabbed me tight
And you pinched my cheek
It’s a moment I tried to forget this week
But I’ve got the scissors
And I’m leaning over the sink
She is crying at the movies
With raindrops in her eyes
She wears spider webs as a necklace
That helps with her disguise
Who could handle her heart properly
And keep it beating strong
She has a sunny disposition
And her hair is bottle blonde
Originally released as a single in late August, “Bottle Blonde” is the irresistible and intoxicating second track on Holly Hebe’s recently-released sophomore EP, Ruby (independent, September 20). The singer, songwriter, and producer hailing from Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula has been actively releasing music for four years now, and is poised to first take her country – and then the rest of the world – by storm.
Arriving nearly two full years after her debut EP party mix – which she now fondly describes as a “test-the-waters type of thing” – Hebe’s second multi-track project showcases the young Australian artist’s burgeoning artistry – one marked by soul-stirring singing, spellbinding songwriting, seductive melodies, and breathtaking production value.
“I would say it is scream in your car, cry while eating a McFlurry, soft rock/indie type of music,” she says of her sound. Inspirations range from Clairo, Beabadoobee, and Gracie Abrams to Maggie Rogers, Holly Humberstone, and Julia Jacklin, but she’s also wasted no time in trying to carve out her own identifiable niche in alternative, indie pop world. “I think I draw a lot of songwriting inspiration from these artists, and my composition / sound science background has helped me morph my sound into something that really feels distinctively Holly Hebe,” she smiles.
While she’s been putting out songs consistently since 2020 – and earlier tracks like “We Are Fine,” “nothing hurts i promise,” and “Supervillain” have been especially well-received – Hebe considers Ruby her ‘crowning achievement’ to-date, from both a musical and professional perspective. Even the title itself holds considerable importance to her, but it’s ultimately the songs themselves on which her creative spirit – that literal and figurative voice – spreads its wings and soars.
And while all six of these tunes are precious (musical) metals in their own right (be sure to give “If You Were a Person (Ruby’s Song)” and “Out of the Blue” a listen), “Bottle Blonde” is the indisputable heavyweight on Ruby – a song that soothes the ears while it stirs the soul, and vice versa.
“‘Bottle Blonde’ is one of my favourites,” Hebe tells Atwood Magazine. “I wrote about the itch I have to change something semi-permanent about my appearance, when anything minorly inconvenient happens in my life. It’s also about the process of trying to figure out who you are and how you want to present to the world, especially in your early twenties.”
Hebe’s unflinching lyrics narrate this intimate and deeply vulnerable journey of inner strife and struggle, self-discovery and self-actualization:
I didn’t earn my stripes until I threw a punch
You like me better when I’m watered down
Am I too much
(Oh am I too much baby)
She dies her hair again
She’ll over do it
Then everybody screams
“Well she must be going trough it”
Why cant I convince you that I just outgrew it
She is crying at the movies
With raindrops in her eyes
She wears spider webs as a necklace
That helps with her disguise
Who could handle her heart properly
And keep it beating strong
She has a sunny disposition
And her hair is bottle blonde
“This song is definitely for anyone who has ever gone through a little identity crisis,” she adds. “Anyone who impulsively cut bangs in lockdown, bleached their curtain fringe, shaved their head, or did anything to change their appearance. For me, I first bleached my hair when I felt really restless and stuck in my life, so the bleached tips are a symbol of that.”
Atwood Magazine recently caught up with Holly Hebe for an in-depth conversation about her new music and more; dive into the dazzling “Bottle Blonde” in our interview below, and be sure to give her Ruby EP the full listen it deserves.
She is crying at the movies
With raindrops in her eyes
She wears spider webs as a necklace
That helps with her disguise
Who could handle her heart properly
And keep it beating strong
She has a sunny dispostiton
And her hair is bottle blonde
— —
:: stream/purchase Ruby here ::
:: connect with Holly Hebe here ::
A CONVERSATION WITH HOLLY HEBE
Atwood Magazine: Great to chat, Holly! For readers who are new your music, how would you describe yourself to a first-timer?
Holly Hebe: I would say it is scream in your car, cry while eating a McFlurry, soft rock/indie type of music. Clairo, Beabadoobee, Piri, and Gracie Abrams are some of my biggest influences, so I think my music is definitely a mix of all of these!
I know you’ve been releasing music for four years now, but how did your project initially form? Were you drawn to songwriting from a young age?
Holly Hebe: When I was younger, I really wanted to be a film scorer! I used to be super into writing more cinematic, orchestral instrumental pieces, and I studied composition at university. I have been songwriting from a young age, but I was never very confident with singing in front of people so I went down a more instrumental route at first. Songwriting emerged more and more as I moved through high school and started uni, and I was so lucky to be around other great musicians at school and in my degree that helped form the early iterations of my band. I began producing in high school too and that really kickstarted the foundations of my solo artists project.
Likewise, who are some of your songwriting inspirations, and how at the same time have you tried to distinguish yourself?
Holly Hebe: I would definitely attribute my early production and songwriting styles to James Blake and Maggie Rogers. When I discovered these two artists I felt like my world really opened up. Recently I have been listening to a lot more female artists. I love Holly Humberstone and Julia Jacklin as well. I think I draw a lot of songwriting inspiration from these artists, and my composition / sound science background has helped me morph my sound into something that really feels distinctively Holly Hebe.
I love the name ‘Ruby’; it was my grandmother’s maiden name, and I’ve always been drawn to it. What inspired your sophomore EP’s title?
Holly Hebe: That is so beautiful! I have also been really drawn to this name – it has a couple of meanings for me. First and foremost, it is the name of my childhood dog, who I named all those years ago when I was around 8 years old. She is getting really old now and has been one of the most consistent things in my life since then. I also used to wear this little kids’ jewelry ring that had a ruby stone in it when I was younger. I think I got it from my grandma, and I loved it so much. I remember losing it one day playing hide and seek on the farm and it was devastating, but the memory has stuck with me ever since.
You’ve been releasing tracks off this record for a little while now. Can you share a bit about “Hat Hair” and “Out of the Blue”?
Holly Hebe: “Hat Hair” and “Out of the Blue” actually first came about after I was messing around with some chords on the guitar. I don’t normally write on guitar, and I’m not the best guitarist, but there was something really freeing about being limited in my skills on the instrument that made the writing process for these songs really fluid, as oxymoronic as that sounds. “Hat Hair” was inspired by a note in my phone that simply said “Hat Hair” in bold, and I knew I must have written it there to prompt a song.
“Out of the Blue” is a special one too – I began producing and writing that while I was visiting my parents in NSW. They live rurally and every time I visit, I feel such a weight off my shoulders, and I’m always inspired to write. The song is about being afraid of letting people get too close to you, which is ironic, because I was surrounded by family and was having the best little holiday.
This brings us to “Bottle Blonde”! What’s the story behind this song?
Holly Hebe: “Bottle Blonde” is one of my favourites. I wrote about the itch I have to change something semi-permanent about my appearance, when anything minorly inconvenient happens in my life. It’s also about the process of trying to figure out who you are and how you want to present to the world, especially in your early twenties.
I listen to your chorus, and it feels almost like you’re singing to an alternate version of yourself - though I get that it could just as readily perhaps be someone you pass walking down the street: “She has a sunny disposition, and her hair is bottle blonde…” Who, for you, is this song directed at?
Holly Hebe: This song is definitely for anyone who has ever gone through a little identity crisis. Anyone who impulsively cut bangs in lockdown, bleached their curtain fringe, shaved their head, or did anything to change their appearance. For me, I first bleached my hair when I felt really restless and stuck in my life, so the bleached tips are a symbol of that.
Do you have any personal favorite lines in this track?
Holly Hebe: I really like ‘nothing that bottle of home-brand bleach won’t fix’ and ‘I didn’t earn my stripes until I threw a punch.’ I feel like these two really explain how i felt the first time I took to my hair with kitchen scissors and woolies bleach. I felt like I needed to shake something up and prove to myself I could step outside of who I was.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Bottle Blonde,” and what have you taken from it as well?
Holly Hebe: I hope it’s a song that people turn to when the weather is good, maybe they’re getting ready to go and do something fun, and they need a little pick me up. When I first produced the demos for “Bottle Blonde,” I listened to it a lot on the bus and it just felt so right. It felt comforting, but also light and fun. I hope others feel the same when they listen.
Likewise, what most excites you about having the full EP out in the world? Are there any non-single tracks you hope listeners really spend some time with?
Holly Hebe: I’m so excited for the EP to be out, all the songs mean so much to me. I hope people sit with “Bobble Head,” the interlude, and let it bleed into “Give Up the Fight.” These two are definitely siblings and they are ones that you can really sit inside of especially when you’re listening in headphones. They’re a little on the heavier side in terms of their messaging, but they’re really special to me.
If party mix served as your introduction, then what does Ruby mean for you? What do you hope to be this EP’s legacy?
Holly Hebe: For me, Party Mix was a test-the-waters type of thing. It was my first time putting together a bigger project, and it was also a big time of exploration for me with my production skills. I’m really proud of that EP, but I also know that I’ve come a long way since then with my writing and production style. Ruby is a summation of that exploration I think – I hope its emotional scope reaches people in a way that I couldn’t tap into with Party Mix.
Thank you again so much for your time today, Holly! In the spirit of paying it forward, who are you listening to these days that you would recommend to our readers?
Holly Hebe: Thank you guys! Always such great questions. At the moment I am loving Lola Scott, Franjapan, Lottie Mcleod and Jazzy Dale. These guys definitely have multiple spots in my playlists, and I love all of their sounds.
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:: stream/purchase Ruby here ::
:: connect with Holly Hebe here ::
Stream: “Bottle Blonde” – Holly Hebe
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