In 2017, Holly “Cookie” Baker released “The Summer,” a gorgeous duet with Tim Rogers. Now eight years later she’s brought us an accidental sister song, “The Winter.” Holly and her new duet partner and longtime friend Ollie English bring this poignant song about self-realisation, heartbreak, and healing to life.
“I’d always come back to The Winter whilst working on other music, for years actually. I’d pick it up and sing only the chorus over and over, turning it around in my mind.” Cookie shared. “It’s a song about navigating the complex layers of dissatisfaction in a relationship—acknowledging the sadness, confronting the resignation, and yet still reaching for hope.”
“My introduction to The Winter was on this beautiful old piano at Cookie’s house; she played the song back to front and I instantly connected with it,” Ollie added. “She’s a wordsmith with really cool vocal phrasing, and a lot of the original ideas remained in the studio. My favourite element is the dynamics – from subtle whispers to roaring crescendos. It’s an honour to sing on this song.”
Cookie plans to squeeze in a few more shows before the year is through, so keep an eye on her website for all the dates as they’re announced.
Photo credit: Caroline Wall