CuckooLander

CuckooLander is the electro-folk project of Holly Hardy, a multi-instrumentalist from Dorset. Hardy grows up in a musical family: her mother is a professional backing vocalist, and her sisters have a band that she is not allowed to join. She learns piano and drums, then begins writing songs at 15, drawing inspiration from the forest around her home and from concerts she attends with her mother.

Early development

While studying music in college, Hardy becomes especially interested in jazz, funk and psych-rock records from her mother’s collection. She later begins CuckooLander as a bedroom recording project while touring as a session musician.

Releases and collaborations

In 2014, CuckooLander supports the Libertines and releases a self-titled debut EP. Hardy signs with the publishing company of production duo StarGate and releases the Dimitri Tikovoï-produced single “Mother Nature” in 2015. Another single, “Beating Myself Up,” follows in early 2016; Rostam Batmanglij produces the track, and it is issued through Vroom Vroom, the boutique label of Charli XCX. Hardy also plays drums on the road for Charli XCX.

CuckooLander also works with Nick Zinner and Daniel Ledinsky on a full-length album planned for later in 2016.