Megan Wantz
3 November 2009

Kiersten Holine, a native Minnesotan, came a long way to go to school in Seattle.

“I was desperately trying to get out of the Midwest,” Holine said. “I thought Seattle was interesting. So I did it.”

Just by looking at Holine one can tell she has a special paradigm that shines through her niche for art. Her blonde hair delicately pinned back— her warm disclosure would make anyone want to share a cup of coffee with her.

“[As I grew up], I always knew I wanted to do something with art,” Holine said.

Holine, is a Studio Art major and Philosophy minor.

But it wasn’t until Rolling Stone Magazine contacted her, did she start to realize that her music career made her more popular than she originally thought.

“A journalist emailed me my freshman year and wanted to put me in their magazine,” Holine said. “I didn’t believe him though, I thought it was a scam.”

But only a few weeks later, a friend called her and told her he saw her in Rolling Stone.

She walked into Sonic Boom, a record store in Fremont. “I picked up the magazine and there I was,” she said.

“I started doing You Tube in high school, [and] just put on a video to see what people thought… Just to know that it wasn’t just my mom telling me I was good,” she said. “The more feedback I got, the more I decided to keep going.”

Her calmness and engaging eyes would make even the most experienced critics think she is confident in the lime light. But she admits she still gets nervous—all part of Holine’s charm.

“I had a show in Chicago over the summer with two other musicians,” she said. “It’s easy to record [by myself],. I don’t get nervous, it’s the live audience that get’s my nerves.”

It wasn’t until last year that she considered pursuing music.

“I’ve been playing guitar for…” Holine counts on her fingers, “Eight years

Her humble demeanor would never give hints of fame from her self-produced EP on iTunes and almost thirteen thousand subscribers to her YouTube account.

Not only does she do covers of her favorites like Bob Dylan, Wilco, and The Beatles but writes originals as well.

“Bon Iver has to be by far the most influential for me,” Holine said. “As well as: Feist, Ryan Adams, M. Ward, and Fleet Foxes.”

She admits that she is victim to writer blocks but claims the littlest things have immense inspiration for her.
For the short term, Holine is hoping to have a more regular show schedule and hopefully get signed.

Holine expects to graduate in 2011 and hopes she won’t have to join the work force right away. “I want to travel,” she said.
“Anywhere.”

She hopes to open a photography business and continue her music career. This singer/song writer wants to stay away from the Hollywood scene though.

“I don’t want to do the whole California thing, I love it here,” Holine said.

Her advice to independent musicians and artists like herself?

“I think the important thing to remember is allow yourself to let any good feedback stick with you,” she said. “So many people look at a sea of comments and the only ones that stick out are the negative ones. Each comment has the same weight, let the good outweigh the bad. When you’re singing and you remember that good feedback, it can only help you.”

about a half hour ago called “Jacob”.  Hoping to finish a rough draft recording tonight just for feedback.

More things to say/ask? Click here.

First of all, I love your music; your collaborations, your covers and your originals! You’re really talented!   How do you write your songs? Melodies first? Lyrics first?  I’m having kind of a writer’s block haha, any tips?

• Thanks so much! You know, it totally depends. If all of a sudden I think of a lyric idea that I like, I’ll quick write it down and go from there.  Otherwise I just try to figure out a progression I like on guitar and go from there.  Depends on inspiration.

Where is your go-to place for finding new music?

• I’m still looking for the perfect way to find new music.  I’m blessed with a few close friends that are always aware of amazing new music.

what’s your favorite philosophy class you’ve taken thus far? have any favorite philosophers?

• Favorite philosophy class has been contemporary ethical theory.  I love ethics classes.   Favorite philosopher: Hume.

Do you think you were a different musician a few years ago than you are now? If so, how?

• Absolutely.  Have you seen my youtube videos circa like… 2006? My voice, style and taste in music has changed so drastically. I want to say that’s a good thing though. Seeing Justin Vernon evolve has been amazing.  Not that I’m comparing myself to him ha.

I really like your pictures. What camera do you use?

• Oh man thank you.  I use a Canon S3 IS which is just super outdated and I am in need of an upgrade. I’m lucky to have Adobe Lightroom. If anyone feels like buying me the Canon 50d…. you can.