Maribou State & Holly Walker

Biography

Maribou State & Holly Walker refers to the long‑running creative partnership between English electronic duo Maribou State (Chris Davids and Liam Ivory) and London-based singer‑songwriter and writer Holly Walker. Maribou State formed in Hertfordshire, England, where Davids and Ivory met at school, played in local bands, and began producing together in a home studio before debuting as Maribou State in 2011 with the EP Habitat on FatCat Records.[2][5] Their early work blended downtempo, house, and experimental electronica, and they quickly became known for richly textured productions and atmospheric sampling, leading to releases on Southern Fried Records and remixes for artists such as Fatboy Slim, Lana Del Rey, Kelis, and others.[2] Holly Walker, meanwhile, developed as a vocalist, songwriter, and performer in London, working behind the scenes in the industry and honing a literate, soulful writing style before becoming a recurring collaborator and live performer with the duo.[1][6]

Walker first appeared on Maribou State’s 2013 Truths EP, one of several vocalists featured as the duo pushed toward more song‑based material.[2] The partnership deepened on Maribou State’s debut album Portraits (2015), where Walker’s vocal performance on “Midas” became one of their signature tracks and later earned BPI Silver certification in 2022.[2] On their acclaimed second album Kingdoms in Colour (2018), she contributed vocals and co-writing to tracks including “Steal” and “Tongue,” becoming a central voice in the Maribou State sound alongside other collaborators such as Khruangbin and North Downs.[2][7] Their music together is characterised by warm, organic‑sounding electronics, chopped and re‑pitched vocal textures, and a balance of club‑ready rhythm with introspective, narrative‑driven lyricism; Ninja Tune has described Maribou State’s approach as giving electronic music “a much-needed shot of soul.”[7] The collaboration has continued into the next phase of their careers, including the single “Otherside” (2024) and material around Maribou State’s third studio album Hallucinating Love (2025), while Walker has simultaneously launched a solo career with her own releases such as the album Unsung, extending the songwriting sensibility that first drew attention through her work with the duo.[1][2][4]

The Maribou State & Holly Walker partnership has had a notable live dimension: Walker has performed as a featured vocalist in Maribou State’s live band at major international shows and festivals, helping translate their studio intricacy into full‑band performances that blend electronics with live instrumentation.[2][7] Their joint work has been widely supported by BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music DJs including Annie Mac, Nick Grimshaw, Gilles Peterson, Lauren Laverne, and Pete Tong, and Kingdoms in Colour reached the UK Top 40 and #4 on the UK Record Store chart, cementing their status within left‑field electronic and indie circles.[2] As Maribou State continue to evolve their sound and Walker steps further into the spotlight as a solo artist, their collaborations stand as a key bridge between UK electronic production and sophisticated singer‑songwriter craft, influencing how producers and vocalists approach long‑term, album‑spanning partnerships in contemporary electronic music.[1][2][7]

Fun Facts

• Chris Davids and Liam Ivory first played together when Liam asked Chris to join his band on bass; when they both moved north for university, the band faded and the pair converted a bedroom into a home studio, which became the birthplace of Maribou State.[5]
• Maribou State’s 2018 album Kingdoms in Colour includes the track “Turnmills,” named after a now‑closed London nightclub; the song functions as both a tribute to the club and a broader reflection on the changing landscape of London nightlife.[2]
• The track “Midas,” featuring Holly Walker, has become one of Maribou State’s best‑known songs and was certified Silver by the BPI in 2022, marking a major commercial milestone for their collaboration.[2]
• Before stepping out with her own solo album Unsung, Holly Walker spent years as a behind‑the‑scenes writer and vocalist, with her work with Maribou State effectively serving as the public introduction to her distinct blend of incisive lyricism and soulful delivery.[1][6]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) - Label head whose Southern Fried Records released early Maribou State EPs and for whom they produced remixes, helping place them within a lineage of UK electronic and dance music. (Releases on Southern Fried Records (2012–2013), remixes for Fatboy Slim and other label-associated artists.) [2012–2013]

Key Collaborators

• Chris Davids - Co‑founder and producer in Maribou State; long‑term creative partner to Liam Ivory and central producer in recordings featuring Holly Walker. (All Maribou State releases including EPs Habitat and Truths; albums Portraits, Kingdoms in Colour, and Hallucinating Love; singles such as “Midas,” “Steal,” “Tongue,” and “Otherside (feat. Holly Walker)”.) [2011–present]
• Liam Ivory - Co‑founder and producer in Maribou State; long‑term creative partner to Chris Davids, co-writing and producing material featuring Holly Walker. (Same Maribou State catalogue: EPs, albums Portraits, Kingdoms in Colour, Hallucinating Love, and singles featuring Holly Walker including “Midas,” “Steal,” “Tongue,” and “Otherside (feat. Holly Walker)”.) [2011–present]
• Holly Walker - Singer, songwriter, and co-writer who became Maribou State’s most frequent vocal collaborator, providing lead vocals and lyrics on multiple recordings and performing with their live band. (“Midas” (certified Silver), “Steal,” “Tongue” on Portraits/Kingdoms in Colour era; appearances on Truths EP and the single “Otherside”; extensive live performances with Maribou State.) [2013–present]
• Khruangbin - Psychedelic/funk trio who collaborated with Maribou State on a key track from Kingdoms in Colour, expanding the group’s palette of live-sounding guitars and global influences. (“Feel Good” from Kingdoms in Colour (2018).) [2018]
• North Downs (Pedestrian) - Vocalist and collaborator who appears on several Maribou State recordings, providing an additional vocal counterpart to Holly Walker across the duo’s catalogue. (“The Clown” (from Portraits), other collaborations on Kingdoms in Colour and related singles.) [2015–2018]
• Jimi Nxir - Guest vocalist on early Maribou State material, appearing alongside Holly Walker on the Truths EP as the duo developed their approach to vocal-led tracks. (Vocal features on Truths EP (2013).) [2013]
• Nubiya Brandon - Guest vocalist from the band Nubiyan Twist who contributed vocals to the Truths EP, part of the early circle of singers around Maribou State. (Vocal features on Truths EP (2013).) [2013]
• Ninja Tune / Counter Records team - Label and A&R collaborators providing artistic support, promotion, and infrastructure for Maribou State’s albums and singles featuring Holly Walker. (Release and promotion of Portraits, Kingdoms in Colour, Hallucinating Love, and singles such as “Otherside (feat. Holly Walker)”.) [2014–present]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging UK electronic and alt‑soul producers (general scene) - Maribou State’s organic, soul‑inflected electronic sound and their close partnership with a single recurring vocalist (Holly Walker) have been cited in press as part of a wave of producers fusing live instrumentation with club music, influencing peers and younger acts in this space. (Influence most associated with Portraits, Kingdoms in Colour, and singles like “Midas,” “Steal,” “Tongue,” “Turnmills,” and “Otherside”.) [2015–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Midas (Portraits)
2. Steal (Portraits)
3. Nervous Tics (Kingdoms In Colour)
4. Vale (Kingdoms In Colour)
5. All I Need (Hallucinating Love)
6. Spooky - Recorded at RAK Studios, London
7. Blackoak (Hallucinating Love)
8. Tongue
9. Beginner's Luck (Kingdoms In Colour)
10. Glasshouses (Kingdoms In Colour)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia