Quick Q and A with Holly Near
 by Kathy S-B  ·  29 April 2008

Holly Near is the kind of person who doesn’t just talk the talk . . . she walks the walk and sings while she’s doing it. Holly was kind enough to answer a few questions for our blog. Check out this video of Holly singing her signature song “We Are a Gentle, Angry People.” The word “inspirational” was invented with Holly in mind. Having her play at the me&thee coffeehouse on May 2 is truly a privilege and a great joy.

First off, congratulations on celebrating thirty-five years of social change music. Do you recall how you came to write your first song that was devoted to changing the world through music?

Numbers are funny and I forget to update them. Let’s see, I did the FTA tour in 1971 and released “Hang In There” on Redwood Records in 1972 so now we are at about 37 years. I wrote a few songs of content in high school but nothing that “stuck.” The real beginning could be in 1972 when I wrote songs on my return from the FTA Tour. That trip was so life changing.

“We Are a Gentle, Angry People” is an amazing anthem that is sung in many churches. How does it feel to have your songs in the official Unitarian hymnal and sung by congregations all over the world?

The song has a life and personality of its own. I am so pleased she has wings and has been of use in such a profound way.

Your bio has a fascinating quote from a fan that describes you as a “divine mix of Pete Seeger and Judy Garland.” Your charismatic stage presence and powerful lyrics are in fact, divine. You inspire people to keep the faith and keep on trying to make a change i this world. Do you have any anecdotes about fans who have helped make a difference?

I wish I could put you in touch with them. They tell their stories so much better than I. But I will tell you a few. I just met a woman who had cancer and she listened to my music during her treatments. It helped her tolerate the pain, illness. I know of people who met their first lesbian sweetheart at one of my concerts because it was such a safe place and there was so much love in the air, it gave them courage to come out. I have heard from Vietnam Vets who came to know that the war against Indochina, that war in general, is a terrible thing and that my songs articulated that for them even as they were surrounded by pro war behavior. It helped them hold on and move closer to their ultimate work for peace. Students have done papers on my work, studied it. This pleases me. I studied the people I traveled with in my early days. It so informed my own decision making, my presentations. It led to me doing master classes not only on performance but on “active noticing” and “demystifying activism.”

You have chosen an eclectic mix of other artists to cover on your latest CD. I applaud anyone who covers a Jane Sibery song. How did you come to know Jane’s work and have you worked with her at all? (I’d love to see the two of you do a tour together . . . hint, hint, and I’ll be the first one to book you!)

I learned of that song through Cris Williamson and of other songs via Libby McClaren who I believe toured with Jane at one time or another.

Tell us about the workshops that you hold. What does a typical workshop entail?

Each one is slightly different, as are my concerts. I work best if I don’t plan too much. It leaves the big door open for spontaneity and being influenced by the moment. In general, I invite people to think about what they believe in any given moment, put it in an historic and contemporary context, and powerfully express the idea through what ever is there form (performance, sermons, letters to editor). Sometimes if I am working with activists, we work on remembering how we were changed and then offer up creative invitations to others to take their next step towards a higher self, a more community minded self. If I am with singer/songwriters, we work on introductions to songs, lyrics, vocal power, theatricality, stage fright.

I am very interested in the art of invitation and conversation. I fear we have lost of bit of skill on that front as a people . . . at least in the U.S. Perhaps your readers would like to practice it on this up coming event. If you are attending the concert, think of someone who might not attend unless they are invited. Invite them to attend with you. There are so many who come up to me after a concert and say, “I didn’t know there was music like this.” or “I didn’t know this town had so many peace loving people, it was great to find this community” or. . . .

Go to my website if you like.

In the art and activism section there is a list of social change artists. I don’t know all of them so this is not a recommendation as much as to say there are a lot of artists out there who care about the world and express that care through music. Many of them have web site and free downloads or samples. I also describe a recent trip to Chile and there are photos from my trip to Botswana.

Hope to see everyone at the concert. I am working with emma’s revolution. They are great fun. The evening is full of laughter, good harmony, fun story telling and emotional moments.