After just one self-released single, the heart-wrenching blues and soul of ‘Kelly’, Fitzroy Holt has begun a new deal with rock ‘n’ roll champions This Feeling Records. He releases his new single ‘Medicine’ today. It’s early days for the Wolverhampton-based singer-songwriter, but he’s already building grassroots support. His first major airplay came from BBC Introducing, while shows with Dylan John Thomas and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard plus a set at the Isle of Wight introduced him to a fanbase that’s now set to grow exponentially.
‘Medicine’ sets out Fitzroy Holt’s status as an artist who has lived through the volatile experiences that he explores in his songs. It’s a narrative which takes him from the sinking lows and instability of substance abuse, to finding a new love that sets him on the road towards a brighter future. Musically it’s a fusion of bluesy rock riffs, ’60s-tinged R&B and sumptuous psychedelia, all played with a ragged but immediately accomplished intensity. His voice is just as potent, displaying the versatility to switch at will from a rock ‘n’ roll roar to soothing falsetto.
Fitzroy says, “‘Medicine’ is a love song with all the good bits and all the sometimes not so good bits. It’s about that special someone or something that makes your day brighter by just being there.”
‘Medicine’ was written by Fitzroy and was produced by Gavin Monaghan (Paolo Nutini, Robert Plant, Editors) at The Magic Garden Recording Studio in Wolverhampton.
Influenced by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Blur and Yves Tumor, Fitzroy Holt’s passion for music is driven by two key factors: the lightning-in-a-jar magic of making that elusive communion between an artist and the audience, and the dream of being a travelling performer. He paid his dues in various rock bands before taking a more introspective approach for a now flourishing solo career. His new songs started to emerge during the first lockdown, a time during which he lived in a semi-derelict factory in Wolverhampton.
He debuted with ‘Kelly’, a song that highlighted the forgotten and marginalised homeless community in Wolverhampton. It was drawn from first hand experience, as he spent some time working with the local women’s homeless charity Haven. That ethos – love, understanding and awareness – filters into all of his music.
His burgeoning reputation has been consistently supported by This Feeling, who included his song ‘How Long’ on their ‘Big In 2021’ vinyl compilation, and by menswear specialists scotts, who have highlighted his talents in several campaigns. The next opportunity to see Fitzroy in action comes when he plays The Great Escape this Saturday as part of This Feeling’s stage at The Hope & Ruin. He is also confirmed to play the Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday 18th June and Truck Festival on Friday 22nd July, with further festival dates set to be announced soon.
