FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Music

Firsties and Faves: Hollie Cook

Hollie talks rebelling against her rock-star parents, meeting Marilyn Manson, and painting while on ecstasy.

As the daughter of The Sex Pistols' Paul Cook and a backup singer for Culture Club, and the goddaughter of Boy George, Hollie Cook experienced cool things at a younger age than you and me. It was all around her. That's one of the reasons that make her perfectly primed for our series Firsties and Faves. The other: the UK beauty is a talented singer in her own right. Her second album Twice is an infectious blend of tropical pop and reggae where Hollie flexes her voice over lush beats. Ahead of her upcoming North American tour—which you should get yourself tickets for (dates below)—Hollie dished on meeting Marilyn Manson for the first time, how she managed to rebel against her rock-star parents, and painting while on ecstasy.

Advertisement

First time you rebelled against your parents?
Hollie Cook: It was fairly hard to rebel. My parents were easy going. They tried to give me a curfew which I broke and remember coming home drunk when I was about 15 or 16 at some hour of morning and my dad was jut sitting on the sofa in the dark. He didn't even say anything. It was pretty scary. Then the curfew seemed to disappear. I was confused.

First drug experience?
I took ecstasy with my boyfriend in his bedroom, had sex for hours, listened to drum and bass and painted (metaphorical) rainbows on the ceiling with my fingertips. It was beautiful. Still probably one of my favorites.

First lesson you learned about life?
People let you down.

First lie?
Very basic lying about doing homework to my mum when I was seven or eight. She found out and made me feel so embarrassed. I've always been pretty honest since. Or a least a lot more clever about coverings tracks.

First apartment?
West Acton. For 6 years! I only moved out of there a year ago. I lived over a courtyard and you could hear everything. Huge fights, people having sex. My neighbour was an opera singer and she had to move out because when she practiced her voice would echo around the courtyard and drive all the residents insane.

First time you were star-struck?
I met Marilyn Manson when I was 15. He was standing in a red-lit room with Dita Von Teese and it was like walking into hell, and there he was. I'd just seen him play a few days before at Reading festival. It was a big deal.

Advertisement

Favorite piece of music that moves me?
There are so many. Probably Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.” Or the outro of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Or most things by Nina Simone.

Favorite song to seduce to?
I've never seduced to a specific song. All dub music is sexual.

Favorite body part?
If I had to choose..hands.

Favorite heroine?
Pippi Longstocking.

Favorite secret habit?
Squeezing blackheads. Mine or anyone else's.

Favorite sensation?
The brain tingle. The one that goes up and down your body. A certain touch, or sound will usually do it.

Hollie's upcoming tour dates:
10/13 – Glasslands – Brooklyn, NY
10/14 – Paradise – Boston, MA
10/16 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
10/17 – Lisner Auditorium – Washington, DC
10/19 – Fox Theater – Boulder, CO
10/21 – Nectar Lounge – Seattle, WA
10/22 – Alhambra Theatre – Portland, OR
10/23 – Leo’s – Oakland, CA