Hollie Rogers on Songwriting, Live Shows and Knowing When a Song Becomes Too Personal
The MarshyCast
Friday, 10 July 2026 - 19 minutes
For many singer-songwriters, every song begins with a story.
In the latest episode of The MarshyCast, I caught up with Hollie Rogers to chat about her latest single, her upcoming album and an exciting run of live dates, including performances in Havant and Bognor.
Hollie's live shows have earned a reputation for being about much more than the music. Between songs, audiences are treated to stories, humour and the kind of honest conversation that makes every performance feel personal. I asked whether she'd ever considered trying stand-up comedy, but she was quick to laugh that idea off!
One of the things that stood out most during our conversation was Hollie's love of playing smaller venues. While festivals bring incredible energy and introduce her music to new audiences, intimate gigs allow for a different kind of connection, where every lyric and every story lands just that little bit closer.
We also explored her songwriting process, which isn't always as straightforward as people might expect. Inspiration can arrive in different ways, and songs don't necessarily begin with a melody or even a finished lyric. Sometimes the process takes surprising turns before everything falls into place.
As someone who writes deeply personal material, I was keen to know whether there's ever a point where a song becomes too personal to release. Hollie shared some fascinating thoughts about finding the balance between honesty and protecting the people and experiences that inspire her music.
The new album also features some outstanding collaborations, including appearances from Elles Bailey, Beth Nielsen Chapman and the magnificent Budapest Symphony Orchestra, bringing together an impressive collection of musical talent.
It's a thoughtful conversation about creativity, live performance and the stories behind the songs.
🎧 You can hear the full conversation now on The MarshyCast, available on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.
Find me on all social media @paulswampymarsh
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