Holly Carter is an award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Bristol, UK. Widely recognised as an exceptional fingerstyle guitarist and one of the UK’s only professional female pedal steel players, she is making waves not only as a tasteful and sensitive accompanist, but as an artist in her own right.
‘Leave your Mark’ is the first full album length release by Carter and it sets the bar high for what she does next. This album showcases her moving to the forefront as a vocalist and songwriter as she addresses socially aware themes with care and compassion, tackling both historical and modern issues. Her version of ‘Where the Fraser River Flows’, written in 1912 by activist Joe Hill details the plight of striking workers, while the blues based ‘Stetson Kennedy’ pays tribute to the activist who infiltrated the KKK in the 1940s.
The gentle country rocker ‘What You See’ is an instant ear catching tune as is ‘Follow Your Lead’ and the jazz tinged ‘Idle Eyes’. The guitar mixes on the record are earthy and embracing with a sound that harks back to the 1960s.
The album was recorded live to tape at Middle Farm Studios in Devon, which gives it an authentic and organic sound awash with the sound of rich guitar tones and perfectly placed percussion.
While ‘Leave your Mark’ has deep roots roots within the American genre, it proves Holly Carter has a bright future ahead of her.