Holysseus Fly, vocalist and pianist from award winning Ishmael Ensemble, steps out as a solo artist for the first time with her debut single Marigold. Detailing the struggle to find her creative identity after surviving cancer, Holysseus Fly’s raw vocal boldly tells a story of hope against a backdrop of dark minimal textures. 

Already known for her evocative performances, Marigold holds the listener in a way few vocalists can, a true statement of intent from an artist with a big future. Produced with Rob Pemberton (The Staves) and mixed by Iain Berryman (Wolf Alice, Beabadoobe, Florence & The Machine).

“Marigold flowers are for my family and I, a symbol of hope. I used them to write the song in March 2021 when I was struggling with PTSD following cancer scans I was having. Marigold describes how my relationship with my creativity and my cancer journey are so entwined, I was fearful of calls from the hospital and that I had lost my creativity. Marigold is about how I needed to realise the truth that I was alive and well - and if I picked up the phone and leant my ear to my creativity - I would realise that it was alive and well too. It had never left, it was just asleep.”

Written by Holysseus Fly
Produced by Holysseus Fly + Rob Pemberton 
Mixed by Iain Berryman
Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis Mastering

Artwork credits:
Photo + editing by Giulia Spadafora
MUA Izzy Grigsby
Concept by Holysseus Fly

Marigold

Unlimited Love

WORK

Ride It Out

To Be Myself Again

I Don't Wanna Know

Snowdrop

Snowdrop (From The Motion Picture “Den Grænseløse”)

Keys and vocals @ishmaelensemble
BIRTHPOOL OUT NOW
https://holysseusfly.com

As the vocalist, co-writer and pianist with critically acclaimed collective Ishmael Ensemble (whose most recent album Visions Of Light has amassed 10 million streams), Holysseus Fly has already made a powerful impression as a solo artist. Last year’s singles, including ‘Marigold’, ‘Bloom’, and ‘Teach Me’ (which was added to the 6 Music playlist) caught the attention of everyone from BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins to Annie Mac, Craig Charles, Huey Morgan, and Jamz Supernova, while her recent UK tour which took in dates in London, Manchester and Bristol to rapturous reception.

With more releases planned across the year, and work currently underway with the teams behind the likes of Madonna, Lorde, Wolf Alice, and Florence & The Machine, 2024 looks set to be another stellar year for Holysseus Fly, as she continues to cement her status as on the UK’s  most exciting new talents.

Line Of Best Fit - “her artistic blend of vulnerability and empowerment is refreshing, both untouchably glossy, yet completely approachable”

BBC 6 Music - "Breathtakingly beautiful"

METAL - “Holysseus Fly has carved her own path, one brimming with hope, and optimism”
holysseusfly@gmail.com

Marigold

Holysseus Fly

Recent comments

Jon Sweetname

Related tracks