Feature: DrewJam Decodes “Holding Fast”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Holding Fast?"
After returning home from a Christmas break spent with extended family, I experienced that quiet contrast you often feel after being around so much energy and connection. Everyone in my house was busy, and I found myself with a few moments alone at my piano. I started playing a simple chord progression, and was somehow inspired to start writing the lyrics, they just poured out—it was one of those rare moments where the heart of the song came together all at once. That feeling of transition—from togetherness to solitude—feels like subconsciously it was the emotional spark behind “Holding Fast.”
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for "Holding Fast" to life?
I initially spent a lot of time at home developing the structure of the song, particularly as it was the time of lock down in the UK—building out from that initial spark with demo versions that included the piano, a bass line, organ, and layers of guitar. I experimented with different sounds and parts to find a balance that felt right. Once I had a strong foundation, I took the track into my local studio and collaborated with the fabulous producer/sound engineer Max Hopwood and a great drummer Ross Gardner to build up the accompanying drum parts and then get the vocals down. I had some ideas for the drum parts, but it was great working with Ross — he really brought them to life. Both Ross and Max were fantastic collaborators, and Max delivered a brilliant mix, capturing the gradual build in texture and sound as the song unfolded.
What impact do you hope "Holding Fast" will have on your audience?
I hope people enjoy the track- it's definitely more of an obviously emotionally intense track than I've released before. Everyone takes different things from songs but for me this song explores the fear and inevitability of losing people we love—and the fragile beauty of holding onto the moments we have with them. I hope audiences can relate to those feelings that we sometimes encounter in the journeys that we find ourselves on and when I've performed it live it's definitely had a connection with people.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I’ve been a musician since I was very young, influenced by my dad who sang and played guitar most weekends in various venues and clubs in the north west of England. He taught me guitar and encouraged my musicianship in the piano. When I moved to London I linked up with a singer/songwriter that inspired me to write my own songs and that has just continued as I then moved to Hertfordshire. Like lots of musicians I have a day job, but the creative process is always present in my life and I'm constantly writing and inspired by all sorts of things.
What role do you feel emotions play in your music, and how do you channel them into your performances?
As I’ve developed my songwriting and released music I’ve started to appreciate that emotion is a strong part of my musical make up, and that for me singing and songwriting is a release and a way of sharing things often subconsciously that are somehow rattling around in my head. I find that somehow emotions are definitely captured and translated in my performances through guitar riffs or a few keys on the piano or through singing a line. Emotion creeps into all of these different channels.
