By Abi Falin
Britney Holman’s musical journey truly began at birth because she “came out screaming.” At least, that’s what her mom says.
Britney had some job offers coming out of school with a degree in broadcast journalism but ultimately decided she wanted to “do [her] thing” and make music in Nashville after an invite from a friend. She “went from starving student to starving musician.” Nonetheless, she adored the cool, collaborative, creative vibes in the city. Seven years into living there, she met Stephen Estrada.
Britney and Stephen contracted a deal with Warner Chappell, which hires artists to write music for their TV and film library. These are then licensed for use pretty much anywhere, including TV, movies, in stores, and more. Together, Britney and Stephen worked on 15 songs, including some in Spanish since Britney learned the language while serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador. That album was one of the most downloaded in the Warner Chappell library. Because of this, the company ended up releasing the album to the public in an album titled Blue Sky. That was in 2013.
Now, sometimes people will reach out to Britney and tell her where they hear her songs: “Your song was in my favorite TV show here in Poland.” Her music plays in the grocery store. It’s in TV and movies. Shampoo commercials in Argentina. A cat video on YouTube. Her music plays all over the world in all different places.
On a more local scale, Britney is one of two singers who perform at events at Saprea, a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources to help prevent and heal from sexual abuse. She says that it’s an “interesting venture,” and she loves it because she gets to go out, help others, and “leave those events feeling more full.” She comes to give, but leaves “lifted in the process.” She says it’s the highlight of her week, meeting these women.
Britney is also part of a worship collective that sings in warehouses called The King Will Come (stylized as the King will come). Essentially, the group is a bunch of solo artists who came together wanting to write about Jesus. They live all over and came together for a show on March 24. Britney is also signed to a college touring agency called Neon and books shows at colleges.
Playing at the Les Femmes event earlier this year was also an amazing experience for Britney. The event showcases local female artists, and Britney said she was just thinking the whole time, “Wow, she’s really good, she’s really good,” and then it was her turn.
All of Britney’s sisters and aunts were named after flowers. Britney was living in Nashville when she came up with her stage name Iris. After my conversation with Britney, I kept thinking about irises. The state flower of Tennessee, irises are perennials, meaning that they can be counted on to return reliably, year after year. They grow on almost every continent, in a range of climates, from dry rocky brooks to crisp alpine meadows. An iris is a versatile symbol of hope, and I can’t help thinking how fitting it is that this is the stage name chosen by Britney Holman because she exemplifies hope in her versatility of skills and projects.
Britney says she’s inspired by an older woman she heard talking about her life who said that she wished that she would have taken time to celebrate life, the big and small moments. Whatever it is that she’s creating or singing, Britney is driven by the “desire for people to feel loved and wanted and connected.” Britney says she wants people to come to her shows and “feel love, laugh, cry, feel something… heal.”
Recently, Britney contracted another project with Warner Chappell. To celebrate the release of this new 10-song album, titled Never Going Back, Britney is having a release party on May 11. The event will be at 7:30pm at Velour with opener Garon Brett and will be an intimate show with limited seating.
Make sure to follow Britney Holman on Instagram. You can purchase tickets to her May 11 release party here and listen to “Can’t Stop The Rain” below!