HeIsTheArtist is no stranger to pushing musical boundaries, and his latest festive single, “Holly Jolly 2.0,” is no exception. Blending the timeless warmth of holiday cheer with an innovative fusion of jazz and rock, HeIsTheArtist brings a fresh and playful vibe to the Christmas music tradition. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on the childhood memories that inspired the track, the creative process behind its joyful rhythms, and his hope to bring families closer during the holiday season. With plans for more holiday music and an upcoming jazz-rock EP, HeIsTheArtist proves that his artistry is as versatile as it is heartfelt.
What inspired you to create “Holly Jolly 2.0”? Was there a specific moment or feeling that sparked the idea for this festive single?
My favorite holiday is Christmas. From when I was a kid, I always remembered the warm and happy feeling that I felt during the holiday season. Those warm childhood memories inspired me to write “Holly Jolly 2.0.”
Your music often blends genres seamlessly. What led you to mix jazz and rock for this holiday track, and how do you think it adds to the classic Christmas vibe?
As always, I wanted to do something unique. For this particular track I was inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of “Little Drummer Boy.” That jazz addition came naturally because, generally speaking, jazz artists dominate during the holiday season.
The lyrics of “Holly Jolly 2.0” have a playful, joyful rhythm. Can you walk us through the songwriting process for this track?
The playful vibe of the song was inspired by the enjoyment I got opening Christmas presents as a kid. I made sure the song captured the vibe of a kid playing with toys on Christmas Day.
Holiday music is a timeless tradition. What do you think makes “Holly Jolly 2.0” stand out from other Christmas songs, and how do you hope it resonates with listeners?
As far as standing out goes, my unique blend of jazz and rock for a Christmas song alone handles that part. I hope that the song inspires people to have fun during Christmas and to not take themselves too seriously.
Many artists find personal connections with their holiday music. Is there a particular memory or tradition that influenced your approach to “Holly Jolly 2.0”?
Other than what I previously stated, the line “don’t take those Christmas presents away from me” was inspired by an actual experience when my father bought me a Nintendo 64, but my mother took it away from me because she said I had too many video game systems.
However, ultimately that Christmas turned out well because I still was gifted the video game that I truly wanted for PlayStation.
You’re known for your genre-blending artistry. How do you think your unique style has evolved with “Holly Jolly 2.0” compared to your previous works?
Before this release, I hadn’t blended Jazz and rock together. That alone separates this song from the rest of my catalogue. It is also my only Christmas in my catalogue so far.
The holidays are all about bringing people together. What message or feeling do you hope your audience takes away from “Holly Jolly 2.0”?
I hope this song brings families together during the holiday season. Time is precious, and you never know when the last time you will see some of your relatives will be. So, enjoy the holidays with your family while you can.
Looking ahead, do you have any plans to release more holiday music or other projects in the near future? What can fans expect next from HeIsTheArtist?
I definitely plan on creating a full-fledged Christmas EP in the future. As for 2025, I have a full jazz-rock EP coming titled “Confessions of Fallen Angel” that debuts on Valentine’s Day 2025 and the Wanted Deluxe Edition” of the EP debuts on Easter 2025.
Not the Usual LICK Publicist! 27 yrs in the biz ~Worldwide! Actual Peer of the Realm~Unitarian Universalist Pragmatic Buddhist~ PROUD GAY Liberal
