Lynn Hollyfield has been releasing contemporary folk music on Spotify since 2011 with messages ranging from grief, mental health, addiction and how we as a nation could use a lot more unity. She is passionate about songwriting and playing the guitar as well as her work with PEO, an organization that promotes and encourages all women to receive the education they deserve. She speaks about the relationship between art and politics and how music has the ability to cause positive change. Her new album, “Diving In” will release July 24 (today!) and will cover all of the emotions that make us human and whole.

Where are you from?
Staten Island, NY

How has your hometown influenced yourself and your art?
Staten Island is a unique place. Families have lived there for generations, and it has a small town feel even though it’s part of NYC. When I go back to visit, there are people I run into that I haven’t seen for years. I feel my roots are there. Those connections that came from my childhood still exist. I appreciate them. I started playing guitar when I was ten, and then in high school, I wrote my first song. I loved playing guitar in Silver Lake Park, not far from my house. It was a community where others would gather with guitars and sing. These were great times and showed me how music brings people together. I did eventually move away and it gave me perspective on things which I am grateful for.

What inspired you to get into music?
As a child, I always liked music and singing. My grandmother was an organist and singer. She gave my family a small piano and gave lessons to my three brothers and me. I loved it, but it wasn’t until my sister-in-law gave me her father’s ukulele that I really started playing around with songs. I liked trying to figure out how to play a song and would teach myself from my parent’s ‘Fake books.’ It was really satisfying when what I was playing sounded like the song. When one of my friends in grammar school started playing guitar, I followed her lead. There was no going back. I kept on and busked on the SI Ferry and played small cafes. When I moved to Maryland, my husband’s friends liked the same kind of music and I paired up with Nina Spruill and we created the duo, Hollyfield and Spruill. We started going to open mics and it led to making two albums and performing throughout the area.

How would you describe your sound/genre of music? What does country music mean to you?
For me, contemporary folk with an occasional touch of blues or jazz. Country music has evolved over time. I loved old country greats like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. Today, it sounds more like pop music to me. I’m not putting it down, just noting that it has moved so far from where it used to be.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations for your sound and storytelling?
I love Neil Young and CSNY, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Patty Griffin, Tom Prasada-Rao and old jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald. I love their writing and style. I write from what I know in terms of relationships, observations of the world, nature, the seasons and guidance that’s flowing towards us all the time. Some examples are when you are contemplating something and the next thing you know a bird song is within ear shot, or a bird visits you, some coincidence happens, or you have an unexpected experience or meeting with someone. Sometimes those things can change the course of your life. Paying attention to the signs flowing my way provides inspiration for songs.

“Blindspot” is the lead single from your upcoming album “Diving In.” The lyrics are beautiful and heartbreaking. What made you want to release this song first?
It was the song I first shared with Seth Glier and worked on at the Dar Williams retreat and the first song we recorded for the new album. It was written during the Spring Songwriting Challenge. There’s a vulnerability in “Blindspot” that is genuine. I felt it. I know when I listen to music, I’m drawn to songs that make me feel an emotion. I hoped it would connect with others and they could relate to it.

You have been releasing music on Spotify since 2011. What have you learned about yourself and your music over these last 15 years?
To not take myself too seriously. That it takes a lot of resources to make music. Stay true to my heart and the intentions I have for putting music out into the world. To follow my intuition. To play and write what I want to and not what I think I should play or write. Honor and know that I have my own voice, just like we all do and that I have something to offer in my own unique way. Music and putting songs out into the world is a big business for large platforms that gives little back to the artists. It’s a sad reality and is not fair to the artists. I like to think outside the box. I do what feels right.

What advice do you have for people who have also been making music for a long time and may be experiencing burn out or frustration creatively? How do you stay motivated as an artist to avoid those feelings?
Well, what I answered in question seven applies here. In addition, I try hard to stay open to opportunities that come my way. Last year, I wasn’t sure what I was doing or where I was going with the music. I just wanted to write a better song. Once I set that intention, opportunities started flowing my way i.e., the Spring Songwriting Challenge and the Dar Williams Songwriting Retreat. Both were extraordinary experiences and reaffirming. During the Spring Song Challenge, I wrote 12 songs in 15 weeks (should have been 12 but the last one, since there was less of deadline, took 3 weeks) It was challenging and pushed me a bit out of my comfort zone. I would not have chosen the prompts that were given, and yet, I wrote songs that are keepers. It also showed me that 12 songwriters who are given the same one-word prompt will come out with 12 totally different, unique songs. That was really the biggest takeaway for me and a wonderful reminder that we all have something unique to offer. I remind myself of that when I’m feeling lost which has been very helpful to me.

“Blindspot” is a song that sheds light on addiction and losing a loved one to drug abuse. Why is this a cause that is close to your heart?
Well, losing someone is never easy. And then when you find out the cause and remember they were struggling, it’s even more heartbreaking. I had read other sad stories of losing someone to the fentanyl crisis. Losing a nephew and then a friend two months later, brought it close to home. Relationships are complex and we are all in them, bringing our own individual experiences to them and engaging the best we can. Only we can change ourselves, but we can also be there for others and support them, provide guidance, be there to listen, provide a meal or something. I wondered how well I did that for them. I’m an empath and super sensitive. Yet, I was busy with my life, and they were in my blindspot. A hard lesson learned and I’m trying to reach out more. For those who relate to the song, may they see they are not alone in their feelings and may the song create awareness to reach out to others.

We love your newest single song “We Are the People”, especially in a time when we feel so divided. What do you hope audiences take away from this song? How would you like to see the USA become more united?
I think we have a lot more in common then we realize. If we can just see those common threads, we would see each other’s humanity. We would start to see that even though we may have different opinions, that we can meet in the middle and work together for the common good. I think most people are caring. They do not want to see children separated from their families or to go hungry or homeless. They want clean air and water and healthy food and a decent roof over their heads and for others, too. If we can focus on these things, I truly think we’d be able to come together more, be less divided and learn to have civil discussions that help us compromise on issues while respecting people’s rights. Truly we need leadership that demonstrates that civility and compassion.

Your new album contains many politically charged songs like “Mattawoman Forever” and “We Are the People” which speak about environmental conservation and the protection of democracy respectively. How would you describe the relationship between politics and art?
Art can create awareness and help educate people about issues. Depending on how the art presents a topic, it can foster understanding, inspire activism and possibly promote action towards a positive solution. I’m hoping these songs do just that.

Why are politics essential for you to think about when creating powerful art and music?
We don’t live in a vacuum. It’s important to be aware and be informed. The reality is people are struggling. The politics we are experiencing creates division that affects all of us. We can choose to do something whether it’s reaching out to a neighbor, a stranger, getting involved in marches, become an activist, speak up for people’s rights or create some art. Any action we take to reduce the division is important. People are living these struggles and when the art speaks to that it creates connection.

You work with PEO to help fund and further women’s education. Why is it so important to fight for the right to knowledge now more than ever?
Now more than ever, education is being tampered with along with reducing women’s rights. Gains were being made to reduce inequality for women however, this administration is working to roll back these rights. The administration is not prioritizing access, funding or the importance of education. Hard to believe in 2026, we would be going backwards and losing the gains we had achieved in these areas. Women often have more obstacles to overcome to achieve an education. Working with PEO is one way I can support both education and women’s rights.

It has been a crazy last few years, and we expect at least three more. How do you stay positive in general about the unknown and motivated as an artist?
I’m an idealist at heart. I believe what we put out in the world comes back multiplied. If we are putting out positive energy it is going to reach out beyond us and come back. I hold on to that belief as I’ve witnessed it on a personal and grassroots level, in work for raising funds and awareness for food pantries and support for local non-profits that provide environmental education. Art brings light. Music and songwriting bring light and connection. That is how I will continue to show up as an artist.

What can we expect next from you short term in your career?
I’m trying to expand my touring area and present the music live in different settings. I’m also trying to reach out in different ways to support causes that are important like reducing food insecurity, supporting environmental education and protection of natural resources.

What is your motto in life?
Act on what you want to do and what you believe in as long as you are listening to your intuition, it is helping you grow as a person, and you are following your heart.

To learn more about Lynn Hollyfield, please check out the links below:
Website: lynnhollyfield.com
YouTube: @lynnhollyfield
FaceBook: @lynnhollyfield
Instagram: @lynnhollyfield
Stream “Queen:” lynnhollyfield.bandcamp.com
Spotify: @lynnhollyfield
Stream “Look Up” on Amazon Music

Photo Credits: Joe Navas

New Music From Lynn Hollyfield Spreads Awareness About Grief and Addiction