Sam Holden didn’t plan on starting over at 42. But when a sharp pain in his index finger signaled arthritis, it was a wake-up call he couldn’t ignore. Music, once his passion, had become a memory tucked away behind the demands of work and family. That pain became the catalyst for a decision that changed everything: it was now or never.
An engineer by trade and a father of three, Sam had spent two decades away from music. His songs, written with care and conviction, gathered dust as life took over. “I’d always known they were too good to just sit there,” he reflects. “They deserved more than a shelf in the back of a cupboard.”
A chance open mic night during a work trip to New Zealand reignited that spark. Borrowing a guitar on a whim, Sam played a few of his old songs to an unsuspecting audience. It wasn’t just the music that came rushing back—it was the feeling, the joy, the sense of purpose. On his way home, he spotted a bumper sticker that read, “One Day or Day One.” That phrase became his mantra, and the 3-Year Project was born.
The dream is ambitious: to take his music from small-town stages to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. But this journey is about more than fulfilling a lifelong goal. It’s a mission to make a difference. Profits from the 3-Year Project will be donated to local mental health charities, a cause close to Sam’s heart. Growing up in North Manchester, he saw firsthand the struggles of his sibling, now his sister, who battled mental health issues from an early age. “I can’t change the past, but I can help someone now,” he says.
Sam’s music is deeply personal, drawing from his Brit-pop roots and life’s highs and lows. From anthems that channel the raw energy of the ’90s to ballads that lay bare the heartache of love and loss, his songs resonate because they’re real. They tell stories of everyday triumphs and struggles, stories that connect with audiences in a meaningful way.
Rehearsals are in full swing, and every step of the project is being documented. The band’s first gig at The Presynct in Nambour, Queensland, is on the horizon, and Sam is marking the occasion by promising to buy tickets to Glastonbury for those who attend.
The 3-Year Project’s first single is set for release in February, with an album planned for 2025. For Sam, success isn’t just about reaching milestones. It’s about the journey, the impact, and the memories made along the way. “Even if it doesn’t go as planned, I’ll know I gave it my all,” he says. “That’s far better than never trying. And if we’ve raised awareness, funds for charity, and inspired people to chase their dreams, that’s the real win.”
Follow the 3-Year Project on social media to see the journey unfold. This isn’t just about music—it’s about making a change, one song at a time.
