Starting September

Hollis Rivenbark is the frontman, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter for Starting September. Born in San Diego, California into a Navy family, Hollis spent much of her childhood moving from place to place, before eventually settling for much of her youth in Naples, Italy. Homeschooled and raised by parents who toured as musical theatre performers, she’s was introduced to the stage almost as soon as she could stand on it.

She began singing at a very young age and has been performing since she was seven years old. But it wasn’t until she was fourteen while attending Pioneer High School For The Performing Arts in Salt Lake City, Utah that everything clicked. After being handed her first guitar and told to learn “With A Little Help From My Friends” by the Beatles for a show the following week, she spent days obsessively practicing. From that moment on, she couldn’t put the guitar down. She has been writing and performing her own music ever since.

Over the past decade, Hollis has performed across multiple states including California, Utah, Georgia, and Tennessee. She has become a familiar presence at venues such as the Carriage House in Townsend Tennessee, Music Coalition in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Daisy’s non-alcoholic bar in Maryville, Tennessee. From open mics and coffee shops to battle of the bands and solo showcases, she has built her voice the old fashioned way on stage. Drawing inspiration from artist such as Neko Case, Elliot Smith, and Phoebe Bridgers, Hollis blends haunting vocals with intimate lyricism and acoustic-driven alternative textures. Neko Case’s commanding vocal presence shaped her singing style, Elliot Smith’s craftsmanship continues to influence her songwriting, and Phoebe Bridgers’ ethereal, emotionally raw sound serves as a creative North Star.

Her 2026, “Serenity,” recorded by ProMotion LLC, and written in October 2025, captures the fragile space immediately after choosing sobriety where heartbreak and hope exist side by side. It’s an honest reflection of transition, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to begin again.