Jolie Holland

The Profile

American singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas, blending folk, blues, and jazz with a distinctive, intimate voice. A founding member of The Be Good Tanyas, she later released solo albums including Catalpa (2003), Escondida (2004), and Springtime Can Kill You (2006).

American singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas; co-founded The Be Good Tanyas; active since the early 2000s; solo albums include Catalpa (2003), Escondida (2004), Springtime Can Kill You (2006), The Living and the Dead (2008), Pint of Blood (2011), Wine Dark Sea (2014), and Wildflower Blues (2017). Catalpa drew critical attention and was nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize.

Three positive, imagery-rich reviews trace Jolie Holland’s path from the intimate, rootsy Catalpa to Escondida’s quirky edges and Springtime Can Kill You’s languid, acoustic glow. Her voice—delicate, slightly haunted—anchors blends of country blues, folk, and smoky jazz. Catalpa’s blend of styles and Shortlist nomination are noted, as is the shift away from Escondida’s odd improvisations on Springtime.