Standing on Broad Quay in Bristol, guitar in hand, Joe Holtaway lets his voice carry through the streets, weaving past echoes of history and the rush of today’s world. His latest track, “This Skin”, is more than a song, it’s a meditation on identity, memory, and justice, shaped by the weight of the past and the urgency of the present. Inspired by conversations with Ugandan poet and migrant justice advocate Joseph Mpanga, Holtaway crafts a folk-infused reflection on belonging and self-discovery. “Oh this skin, I will learn to look within, in and out again and again, and again”, he sings, his words a mantra of resilience. The track was filmed in one continuous take, raw and unfiltered, as Holtaway strums under the Bristol sky, a city once central to the Transatlantic Slave Trade, now a symbol of reckoning. With Slash Music bringing his voice to the forefront, the message is clear: music, like history, must be confronted head-on.
“Oh this skin, I will learn to look within, in and out again and again, and again” – Joe Holtaway
A Voice for Change, A Sound for the Soul
Born in Cornwall and now based in London, Joe Holtaway is more than a singer-songwriter, he’s a storyteller, an activist, and a seeker of harmony. His work bridges music with movements for peace and social justice, shaped by years with Wake Up London and time spent at Plum Village, the monastic home of Thich Nhat Hanh. Beyond his music, he works closely with asylum seekers and children through the Quakers, embodying his commitment to community and healing.
His new album, “Warmth of the Ages”, is a tapestry of introspection and activism, featuring tracks like “Oh Friends”, “Listen To Women”, and “Young Colours”. With “This Skin” as a poignant introduction, Holtaway is setting the tone for a year of music with meaning (To find out more about the album visit www.joeholtaway.com/warmth-of-the-ages). 2025 has barely begun—keep an eye on Joe Holtaway.
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