Many of you may not realise but at FHS, Miss Houlder – our very music department assistant – is a rising star in the jazz world, having just recently released her first EP album.
A product of the Cheltenham, Birmingham, and London jazz scenes, Daisy Houlder is accomplished in a range of styles thanks to performances with the University of Birmingham Jazz Orchestra and appearances at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, The Spotted Dog, and Warehouse Sessions.
In addition to performing, Daisy enjoys sharing her passion for music with others both through teaching and leading groups such as Mamma Jamma and the Sisterhood Vocal ensemble – showcasing her support for women in jazz.
Until Now
Daisy Houlder is an accomplished jazz singer whose debut EP, Until Now, explores her journey to womanhood through honest and vulnerable self-reflection.
The topics of the album span from dealing with the pressures of social media, to coping with personal tragedy. ‘Rainy Day’ reflects on the importance of a positive outlook on daily life, ‘Bluebird’ exposes the pressures of social media on young musicians, and the title track ‘Until Now’ considers having a mature perspective when confronted with illness of a loved one. ‘I Will Wait’ tells the story of a naïve woman holding onto hope in a relationship, and ‘Sunset Like This’ reflects on small, magic moments shining against the mundanity of everyday life. Daisy uses emotional language and natural imagery in her lyrics to paint her narrative, aiming to connect to others in her shoes.
Until Now was conceived in Birmingham, where Daisy began writing the title song before sharing it with her pianist Alex Fergusson. From then, the duo began working on more songs together, and through the trials of multiple lockdowns, the content of the album was completed. The music was then shared with a band of Birmingham-based musicians, before being recorded with the help of fellow Brummie David Birnie, who supported the project with masterful recording and production.
“I hope that sharing my deepest and most vulnerable thoughts will allow other young women to realise that they are not alone on their journeys.” – Daisy Houlder
You can listen to some of Daisy’s music here:
Maki Gajic-Murata, Composer-in-Residence
