EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - NEWS NOW
Exclusive Interview with Holly Natasja FOR NEWS NOW MUMBAI
EDITOR: PRATIK SIR
An in-depth look at Holly Natasja’s journey, creative process, challenges, and aspirations.
Pratik Yadav, April 04, 2025
Early Life & Musical Influences
Q: Can you tell us about your early life and how you first got into music?
Holly: I was born in Belgium (Europe), and Eurovision is/was HUGE over there. As a young girl, I was obsessed with watching and it’s all I wanted to do (sing/dance/perform). I started entering competitions from a young age and forced entire neighbourhoods to come and watch backyard concerts ;)
Q: What artists or genres influenced you the most growing up?
Holly: Madonna (dance/pop) and New Beat Generation (club music from the 80’s born in Belgium - minimal house music filled with phat bass lines, breakbeat, hiphop, scratching - insane!).
Q: You started with the piano at a young age. How did that shape your musical journey?
Holly: I would’t say it shaped my musical journey as that was well underway. I played classical piano which I didn’t love. I would play contemporary songs instead of studying for my classical piano exams. It taught me how to read music and empowered me to understand song structure and that I could write my own songs with cords. I don’t use it very much to write songs - I should, but am drawn to doing this work with dance music producers instead.
Q: Were there any defining moments in your childhood or teenage years that made you realize you wanted to pursue music professionally?
Holly: Discovering a Madonna record and seeing her writhe around on stage in front of audiences going mad for her, and a young Belgian singer who won Eurovision, Sandra Kim. That song, ‘J’aime Lavie’, I couldn’t get it out of my head, and then came along Kylie Minogue. I was so drawn to the allure of these artists and seeing them on stage having a ball dancing and entertaining. I wanted/want to do that too. Friends that have known me for time always remind me that I’ve always wanted to be a singer from a young age.
Q: How has your background in ballet, jazz, and tap dance influenced your music and stage performances?
Holly: I guess I love dance music (EDM) so it makes sense. And it’s definitely influenced me to always be thinking about dancing in my music videos, and choreographing key moments in performing- and has given me the ability to dance on the spot when required for both. I have been singing and dancing since I was young. It’s in my DNA.
Music Style & Creative Process
Q. Your music is described as a fusion of darker, minimal, and sexy sounds. What draws you to these styles?
Holly: My body reacts to these sounds and so the rest is history. I am drawn to darker more visceral sounds because they make me feel alive.
Q. Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you start writing a song?
Holly: It will usually be an idea I’m compelled to write down. Typically, a couple of lines when I’m feeling charged about something I feel should be addressed, or if I’m feeling affected by love or pain; sometimes it’s an idea inspired by a story that is more fun. Then, if I’m really driven by the idea - and it won’t leave me alone - the whole concept comes to me; I will finish writing it and find a producer to help me bring it to life. Or I will have a beat or instrumental from them already that I can sing over.
Q: What comes first for you – melody, lyrics, or production?
Holly: Usually lyrics and often with that comes a melody or part of one (not always)- I usually hear it as I’m writing down the words or I sing them immediately into my phone. Producers often send me music and if I like it and feel inspired to write to it; I will take the title of their track and use that as a springboard to write and then refer to my own experiences to do so.
Q. How do you balance personal experiences with artistic storytelling in your music?
Holly: I write from personal experience therefore I don’t really balance it well with artistic storytelling and am not particularly clever at that. The more I write, or if I have periods where I’m writing a lot, the story telling becomes way more creative and compelling. Or, when I really relate to something like with Falcon 50 - that song was born working on the plane of a famous Doctor and her story about how men never paid attention to her until she bought the plane, and the rap just fell out of my mouth, “All the boys, …..
Q: Are there any specific themes or messages you try to convey through your songs?
Holly: I explore heartbreak as a way of expressing myself and processing experiences; once the song is out there in the world I hope it can help people to dance to it all in the end to a sick beat. I write sexy and sassy songs exploring the physicality of love, political themes, and also songs that challenge the status quo. War is something that concerns me greatly and peace is so important; through music these messages are often best conveyed creating movements, and moments of peace, dance, play and joy. What else do some people have otherwise? But music. You can never take that away from someone. It’s one of the greatest gifts God ever gave us in times of joy and despair. It’s unity.
Collaborations & Industry Experience
Q: You've worked with producer Divy Pota—how did that collaboration come about, and what was the experience like?
Holly: I used to work at Sony Music in the Chairman of Australasia’s & Asia’s office. At the time, Sony owned the rights to Australian Idol. In 2009, runner up, Hayley Warner, was making noise with her music, and she was in the office a lot for promos etc. We became friends. She is now an incredible singer / songwriter having great success in the USA. Hayley and I were having dinner one night and she could see I really wanted to get into recording my own music - she asked what kind of music, I answered EDM. She said she knew a dance music producer, Divy Pota, and passed on his number. I contacted him the next day and within two weeks I was in his studio recording my first single, Running Right Through Me.
Finding Divy and working with him was life changing, he got what I was into, what I was trying to achieve, gave me a space to achieve it and we became great friends. I have written and recorded many songs with him since and continue to. He is super talented and has earned over a billion streams working with many artists across the globe.
Q: Can you share some insights into your association with Streetmynx Records and HNCinc?
Holly: Streetmynx Records is my record label - set up to release my music. And HncInc is the working title for my first album, and also the company set up to govern my business interests.
Q: What has been the most memorable collaboration in your career so far?
Holly: I am grateful for all my collaborations, they all bring something incredible to the table. What is really cool is when you start to all work together in bigger teams creating a magic formula and extended family. I think everyone gets a kick out of that and I love bringing people together to work on creative projects. Going back to Falcon 50 for example, that was written to a beat of Divy’s (originally called 4am), Dr Sandra Cabot (Falcon 50 owner) shared a poem with me about the plane - from that I tweaked the song with some of her lyrics; Divy tightened it all up and made it cooler like he does! Liam Quinn recorded my vocals brilliantly, and we filmed the music video on Sandra’s jet. She introduced me to her nephews, the Brothers Koren, who I wrote and recorded two songs with in Ojai, my latest two releases (Tell All The People and Beautiful Nightmare); and for me, this sort of coming together of an extended family that keeps growing with like-minded people all working on their passion is pretty special. You cannot beat the energy.
Q: Have you faced any challenges working in the music industry, and how did you overcome them?
Holly: I would say I am my biggest challenge whether through lack of belief in myself, not staying focussed, not practicing as much as I should; that, I think, is a constant struggle for many artists, even those with big careers. Many of them reference these moments. We all have parts of ourselves that can really hold us back or set us back. I do a lot of personal self-development, I have a village of great coaches and mentors around me, I read a lot, have an arsenal of quotes I refer to, and when all else fails, I watch interviews of artists that I love that reference their early days and struggles, and the key takeaway always is to keep going and to get over ourselves. That usually sets me up again for inspiration and dedication. Until the next time ;) … Sometimes you also need to know when to walk away and rest, take a break and come back with fresh eyes and ears.
Q: What advice would you give to artists looking to collaborate with producers and labels?
Holly: Advice regarding labels - know which ones you want to contact/that releases your style of music and be contacting them. Email them, if you don’t hear back, call them - make sure you are contacting the right person, and keep sending demos and following up. Keep making music and keep reaching out to them. There will be many unanswered emails and no’s - keep going. Believe in yourself and be yourself.
Collaborating with producers - be out there in the music scene, ask people if they know someone.. You will find them organically if you are putting your music on Soundcloud, Social media, keep going with all of that until you find the people you would like to work with, and then they will help you broaden your network of musicians and producers and opportunities also.
I believe live gigs and shows are critical. Not just social media - chasing going viral and building a fan base can be disheartening. A healthy mix of all of the above and having fun is key.
Live Performances & Artistic Expression
Q: How do you prepare for live performances? Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Holly: When I was playing in bands, it was just fun, and you’re getting on excited with your band mates. No rituals. It’s all hype. When I do solo shows, I get incredibly nervous 30 mins beforehand and then almost vomiting 10 mins beforehand! I have a great coach who helps me with some release strategies prior to get me in the zone - then I’m usually late getting on stage and up for it all ;)
Q: What has been your most memorable performance so far?
Holly: The two single releases I put on in Sydney. I hired a couple of clubs, packed them out, put a lot of work into all aspects of the events, and had a ball. Rocked the performances and we all had a great time.
Q: How do you connect with your audience during a performance?
Holly: Before it was through energetic moments of performance. I was a little held back. I’m more confident than I used to be so I’m looking forward to this translating next time I perform, and in the meantime get better at my craft.
Q: Do you incorporate your dance background into your live shows?
Holly: Yes - I would like to do it more so with other dancers joining me on stage- I usually have a few choreographed anchor points that I rely on throughout the performance.
Q: What do you think makes a great live performance?
Holly: It’s the undeniable combination of great stage presence, talent, sounding better than you do on your record, knowing how to work a crowd, being a great entertainer .. it’s a whole picture and an x-factor; some people just have it.
Challenges & Growth in the Music Industry
Q: What has been the biggest challenge in your music career so far?
Holly: Stopping. Getting distracted by life and 9 - 5 (which really was 24/7 corporate life). I don’t want to leave this life with regrets so I’m throwing all I have into it at present.
Q: How do you stay motivated and inspired during tough times?
Holly: I feel like I answered this in point #14. And in our IG LIVE, I mention that action is the magic antidote. When you get into action, the magic of creativity comes to life and will inspire you. Like Nike says, “Just Do It”. You will feel better if you just do it and you end up with amazing songs, or art, or books, or business when you show up for life and your craft.
Q: Have you ever had to deal with criticism or self-doubt? If so, how do you handle it?
Holly:Yes, both. Criticism - I now enjoy. It’s an art and a practice developing thick skin. Sometimes it hurts and sets you back a bit but if your self-doubt is under control you actually feel sorry for people that say awful things or criticise you. If it’s constructive criticism that’s a different thing, you can work with that to better yourself. You also need thick skin for that.
I’ve had some terrible things said to me and about me. Most therapists say, “what other people say about you is none of your business”. I quite like that as a tool to just let it go. We all criticise, perhaps we would do it a little less when we feel how much it stings when others do it to us.
Self-doubt -> all the time -> but I am learning to master this because it robs us from our dreams otherwise.
Q: What changes would you like to see in the music industry, especially for independent artists?
Holly: The streaming model means we can all release music which is brilliant. The payouts are USD 0.003 per stream = 50/50 mechanical/publishing; and then you split this with other writers and producers that have worked on the song if so. When you do the math you realise that the amount you spend on music and the RIO is tricky - I would like to see something new come in and make this more attractive for independent artists or some sort of tiered approach.
Q: How do you balance the creative and business sides of being an artist?
Holly: Continual re-prioritising. At the very beginning you are doing it all yourself- it’s a lot of work. It’s better when a team starts to develop around you no matter how small at first to take some of the load off.. Planning a month in advance is super helpful otherwise you are always playing catch up and it can become overwhelming. Breaking down the month into weeks and days also a necessity. Good question!
Future Plans & Upcoming Projects
Q: Are you working on any new music or projects currently?
Yes, I’m excited about a few new songs in the works, Tonight, Ocean and On My Way.
Q: Can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming releases?
Holly: Yes, watch here TONIGHT
Q: Do you have any upcoming tours or live performances planned?
Holly: Working on that at present. Hopefully Sydney end of May followed by a few gigs in Europe and something a bit bigger next year. India is definitely on the cards.
Q: Where do you see yourself and your music five years from now?
Holly: If I keep going, hopefully touring the world, playing in clubs and at festivals and working with talented producers and meeting lots of amazing new people. Billboard Dance #1 hits!
Q: Are there any dream collaborations or genres you’d love to explore in the future?
Holly: Yes. James Hype, Dom Dolla, Hugel, Skrillex & Diplo, Dj Snake and . David Guetta and Calvin Harris have to be on there too.
It would be fun to do a folk/rock album at some point - Tell All The People has been received so well and I think there is something in that. I recently watched the Bob Dylan Movie, A Great Unknown, that inspired me too.
Personal & Fun Questions
Q: What does a typical day in your life look like?
Holly: Wake up - exercise - eat well - music music music (admin, planning, singing, writing, editing, producers etc).
Q: When you're not making music, what are some of your favorite things to do?
Holly: I love nature, I love swimming in the ocean, I love going out with my friends and eating good foods, I love laughing, I love a good movie- funny movies and scary movies.
Q: If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Holly: Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa Ibiza - Hi is the #1 club in the world. All the DJs and artists that perform at those clubs are the best in the world and the vibe is amazing. And I love that island.
Q: What message would you like to share with your fans and supporters?
Holly: THANK YOU. I’m really excited to share my music with you and grateful for your support.
Be kind to one another.
---