Holly Conlan

Before becoming a major player in L.A.'s Hotel Cafe scene, singer/songwriter Holly Conlan spent her childhood writing music on the family piano. Her father was a classical composer, and Conlan grew up under his influence, mixing her own interests in pop, rock, and folk with a proper classical music education. By 2005, she'd boiled down her influences to a sprightly, piano-based pop sound, which she introduced on her self-titled debut album. The Bird EP followed in 2008, coinciding with Conlan's unofficial induction into a group of female singer/songwriters who frequented the Hotel Cafe, a Los Angeles venue that served as a springboard for simpatico musicians like Ingrid Michaelson and Meiko. Conlan toured the country in support of Bird's release, switching between full-band performances and solo gigs. Meanwhile, she also made the rounds as a backup vocalist for Meiko and Gary Jules. Drawing from her classical background, she made a bigger splash with 2009's Fascinator, which included orchestral arrangements and a louder, darker sound than its predecessor.