Singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone shared her musical influences and discussed her upcoming project, “Cruel World,” during a backstage appearance at Gov Ball NYC [1, 2].
The appearance provides a glimpse into the creative foundations of an emerging artist and signals the thematic direction of her next major musical release.
During the session, Humberstone shuffled through her personal music library to highlight tracks that have shaped her sound. She said the band Flyte is “the most underrated band of all time” [1]. The artist also touched upon the emotional weight of her selections, saying that Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” always takes her back to her father’s road trips [2].
Beyond her influences, Humberstone used the opportunity to promote her upcoming set at the festival and provide insight into her new project [1, 2]. She said the conceptual core of the work, “Cruel World,” is about confronting the things we hide from ourselves [1].
Her curated list included artists such as Big Thief, illustrating a preference for raw, and evocative songwriting [2]. The conversation took place in June 2024, coinciding with the Gov Ball NYC event [1, 2].
““Cruel World” is about confronting the things we hide from ourselves.”
By linking her personal history and musical inspirations to the themes of 'Cruel World,' Humberstone is positioning her new work as an introspective exploration of self-denial and memory. The focus on 'underrated' and classic artists suggests a stylistic blend of contemporary indie sensibilities and traditional songwriting.
