Holy Pinto is the indie-pop project led by songwriter Aymen Saleh. It began in his hometown of Canterbury, England, and is now based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Starting out in the UK with a raw, youthful punk sound, Holy Pinto gradually evolved into colorful, genre-defying indie-pop. After falling in love with the touring life—a mix of carefree independence and serendipitous moments—Saleh eventually made Milwaukee home. A short record chronicling that relocation in 2020 received praise from local press and national publications like NPR, earning a spot on their coveted SXSW “Austin 100” list.

In 2021, Holy Pinto teamed up with Bartees Strange, who produced the single “us, married”—a stylistically ambitious, lovelorn reflection on relationships and the passing of time. The track marked a shift toward a broader sonic palette, influenced by Aymen’s pandemic-era collaborations across genres, from pop to hip-hop to afrobeat.

Recent single “noly” leans even further into that adventurous spirit, offering a glimpse into the bold, no-pulled-punches vision driving their forthcoming full-length concept album—due next year.

“Sweetly jangling, good-natured Britpop — dispensed with abundant charm and grace, his songs feel warm and lived-in.” —Stephen Thompson, NPR