The Holly and the Ivy: The Folk-Rock Revivalists

The Holly and the Ivy are a British folk-rock band known for their lush, harmony-rich sound that revitalizes traditional English melodies for a modern audience. Hailing from the West Country, the group achieved notable success with their 2018 album Under the Winter Sky, which charted in the UK Top 40 and earned a silver certification for over 60,000 sales.

Early career

The band formed in Bristol in 2012, initially as a loose collective of musicians meeting at local folk sessions. Their shared passion for the folk archives of artists like Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention led to early self-released EPs, including 2014's The Wren in the Furze, which caught the attention of the independent label Hedgewitch Records.

Breakthrough

The Holly and the Ivy's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of their debut LP, Under the Winter Sky, on Hedgewitch. The album's lead single received significant airplay on BBC Radio 2, propelling the record to number 32 on the UK Albums Chart and securing a lasting place on folk music playlists.

Key tracks

Under the Winter Sky — This title track became their signature song, showcasing their trademark blend of intricate acoustic guitar and soaring vocal harmonies.

Greenwood Side — A dramatic reworking of a traditional ballad that demonstrated their skill at updating ancient folk narratives with contemporary rock energy.

Bristol Town — An original composition that paid homage to their roots and became a live favorite for its driving rhythm and lyrical storytelling.

The Crown of All — This later single featured a notable collaboration with vocalist Kathryn Williams, expanding their audience within the indie-folk scene.

Following their breakthrough, The Holly and the Ivy solidified their status with extensive touring and a well-received sophomore album, 2021's The Turning Year. They have since performed at major UK festivals like Green Man and Cambridge Folk Festival, building a dedicated following for their atmospheric and meticulously arranged live shows.

Fans of The Holly and the Ivy's melodic and narrative-driven folk-rock should explore Stick In The Wheel for their raw, contemporary take on English folk tradition. The harmonic depth and pastoral themes resonate with the work of The Unthanks. Listeners may also appreciate the intricate storytelling of Seth Lakeman, another key figure in the modern British folk revival.

The Holly and the Ivy's catalog is a staple on the playlist of classic folk-rock and modern acoustic radio stations featured on this platform. Their music is regularly featured on specialty shows dedicated to the British folk revival across a network of independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams.

You can discover the rich, harmonic sound of The Holly and the Ivy by tuning into the folk-rock radio stations available on onairium.com, where their celebrated albums and key tracks are in regular rotation.