Photo provided by: London Holley

Social connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others. It involves feeling loved, cared for, and valued, and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships.

Connecting with people is integral to our enjoyment, and peace that we welcome in our lives. However, many find it difficult to connect with others, and it is often due to communication styles. Admittedly, we all our going to communicate on different levels. However, to connect successfully, we must be smart. There is always an instrument to deliver effective communication. Some can perform with instruments of sound. They use this gift to connect. 

Many artists who have focused on this craft, are gifted. They do more than just play the instrument. They get to know their audience, and what it will take to grab their attention, and keep it.   

I have followed the career of our guest today. Simply, I am stunned by her ability to connect with the audience that she is performing in front of. Her mission is to produce a product that engages or connects with the listener. This shouldn’t be a new concept. However, some artists forget that this is a priority. In fact, it could influence their longevity within the music industry. Our guest today is London Holley

You may recall that London Holley was a guest of ours last year. We addressed the following topic:

Video and content trends.

There was a specific question that we addressed with her regarding this topic. Video and content trends. When do you decide that a change is needed?

London replied: The music industry isn't a fixed set of guidelines to take you from a garage band to platinum superstars. It's fluid and almost alive in how frequently it changes. Video trends are 100% a stark example. We're so inundated with demand for quick, clip-like content for social media algorithms that it's hard to know what to deliver to consumers. The one thing that's impossible to deny is that videos remain more impactful than static content (such as photos or boomerangs) when it comes to engaging and building your audience. We must consistently create and provide to maintain relevance.

Has this changed on social media platforms? It seems that the algorithms are the same. Hopefully they will address this problem as it affects billions of social media users. Now let’s focus on what has transpired for London Holley since our last conversation – Editor in Chief

ABOUT LONDON HOLLEY

London Holley is a bass player, songwriter, and designer-luthier based out of Phoenix, Arizona. She performs with her theatrical hard-rock band The Sintrics by night, and by day, devotedly prepares to launch her company, Copperhead Custom Guitars.

INTERVIEW WITH LONDON HOLLEY AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Guitar Thrills: Before discovering her angle on developing music that enables a connection, I immediately was drawn to her bass-playing ability. There was something unique, and thorough. There is a mission behind London Holley’s approach to bass playing. 

Guitar Thrills: Hi London. Excellent subject to talk about. In fact, it’s one of the topics that I find a way to bring into many of my interviews. It’s because it’s that vital to connect with your audience. At what point in your career did you find the need to connect with your listeners? 

London: Hey there, thank you so much for having me back! "Vital" is an excellent word for such a subject. Interpersonal connection between artist and audience, particularly from the stage, has been a priority from Day One. Bridging the gap from a Para social relationship to one more genuine is what sets an artist apart.

Guitar Thrills: Was it always at the focal point of your music career to do that? Or did it become evident, that this is the way to ensure your success? 

London: While the reasons behind it may have fluctuated somewhat, it has always been a matter of high precedence. I've always had my idols, and when seeing them live felt intimate and personally inclusive (regardless of venue scale), that feeling meant enough to dream of someday being in the inverse position, to someday have a starry-eyed kid in the crowd that I could make feel special. Now, to a small extent, it's calculated, because I can recognize how important it is to play the game for purpose of growth, but the intent behind it has always been pursuit of closeness with the listener/viewer. During a show last December, I had an equipment malfunction that led to my bass strap coming off around six times. I still get weekly, good-natured comments from people who were in the audience asking if I've invested in new strap locks yet. That means something to me.

Guitar Thrills: What kind of feedback have you received due to your approach to bass playing?

London: People have commented that I play my bass like it's a guitar, which I suppose does track, as I played guitar for years before transitioning to bass. Muscle memory, perhaps. Hand angle, frequent use of a pick for attack, appreciation for melodies rather than only sticking with roots or E-riding… I can see where it comes from.

Guitar Thrills: I think you have the right approach to giving fans what they want. Working against the demands of your audience is one way to decrease your longevity in the music industry. 

I am familiar with your work, as you performed with various artists. Who had a huge impact on your playing ability?

London: In terms of influence, it's a toss-up between Rachel Bolan (Skid Row) and John Taylor (Duran Duran) as to my greatest inspiration.

Guitar Thrills: Is there a particular artist that you have worked with that you continue to keep in contact to this day? If so, what benefit do you receive, is it a matter of inspiration?

London: Thank you so much for asking this; I love having the opportunity to wax lyrical about those who have helped me. While we haven't worked "worked together" in any official sense (yet?), I owe my career as I know it to Russ "Satchel" Parrish of Steel Panther. A few years back, in a fleeting moment of teenage hubris, I offered to build a guitar for him, but I never thought he'd accept. That really was the moment everything changed for me, because I had to go from shy girl to businesswoman damn quick, and the process did more for my confidence and way of going about this industry than I can say. Things certainly took off afterwards, at least. To this day, he's one of my most cherished friends.

Guitar Thrills: What bass brand are you most comfortable performing with and why? 

London: Shameless plug, but I made my own signature Copperhead bass and I love that thing. However, there's no going wrong with a vintage Charvel. My late-80s pair have been my on-stage darlings for years.

Guitar Thrills: Do you perform as a solo artist, or is there other members that have contributed to your releases?

London: I'm currently in a band called The Sintrics and have been since 2021, and that writing process is very collaborative. We're fortunate to have a recent contribution from Lita Ford in the forms of production and backing vocals on an upcoming single. There's another project I'm working on with a fellow Phoenician from which I can promise stellar results, but I'm afraid my lips are sealed as to that one… for now.

Guitar Thrills: Do you do a lot of touring? If so, how important has it become to your success?

London: I adore playing out in other cities and states whenever the opportunity arises, and I find it crucial to do so. Los Angeles is a second home, at this point, as is Las Vegas; we've made a point to return frequently to develop an audience. I see booking as a system of rings, picture Saturn. The center is home (in my case, Phoenix, Arizona). The innermost ring encompasses nearby cities, the next one perhaps the borders of one's state, the next the live-music epicenters in bordering states, et cetera. Build up from the inside-out and success will radiate.

Guitar Thrills: What are some accolades that you wish to obtain within the next year or so? 

London: The experience matters more to me than the numbers or shiny labels. I'd love to play another festival; doing the Rainbow Bash last April was a joy. Of course, I'd like to put more material out. The Sintrics are wrapping up with a few new tracks, and I'm hoping to put out a… shall we say career-defining record out with the other project by the end of this calendar year. I'm also working on some high-profile Copperhead guitars in preparation for official debut at NAMM 2025. Building an empire is exciting, my friend.

Guitar Thrills: I believe that you deserve much recognition. Extremely talented, and we wish you the best in your endeavors. Please make sure that you keep in touch. We want to let your fans know what you are working on in the studio, or other. Thank you.

London: That's so kind of you, truly. Please all stay tuned because I'm so thrilled about everything soon to come. Thank you again for having me! Xoxo

Vera Black

A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: "Hand angle, frequent use of a pick for attack, appreciation for melodies rather than only sticking with roots" - London Holley

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