Holly McNarland (born 23 October 1975) is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter, prominent in the 1990s.Mike Roberts, "Riding the buzz: Wonder gal McNarland not as dark as the songs". The Province, 18 July 1995.
Career Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, McNarland's background is Métis.Lynn Saxberg, "McNarland back on stage; Metis singer plans one last show at Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival". Ottawa Sun, 20 June 2017. She moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in the early 1990s.Shawn Ohler, "Singer lauded as having `most amazing singing voice'". Kingston Whig-Standard, 10 August 1996.
She released her debut EP Sour Pie independently in 1995, before it was rereleased nationally by MCA Records in 1996.Betsy Powell, "Are guys ready for snarling McNarland?". Hamilton Spectator, 6 June 1996.
Stuff, her full-length debut album, was released in 1997.Betsy Powell, "Holly McNarland's Stuff loses some of its Sourness". Toronto Star, 21 June 1997. The album's most successful single was "Numb", which reached the Canadian top 10.David Berry and Rebecca Tucker, "You oughta Juno: What happened to those artists voted most likely to succeed? Part 2 — 1986 – 1999". National Post, 14 March 2015.
At the 1998 Juno Awards, she won the Best New Solo Artist category,Milo Cernetig, "McLachlan caps hot year with four Juno Awards". The Globe and Mail, 23 March 1998. and was nominated for Best Alternative Album for Stuff and Best Video for "Elmo"."Juno Award nominations". Montreal Gazette, 12 February 1998.
She collaborated with Matthew Good on the song "Flight Recorder From Viking 7" from the album Loser Anthems.
Following Stuff, McNarland ended up taking an unplanned five-year hiatus from music after marrying videographer Jay Mirus and giving birth to her first child.Paul Morden, "Holly McNarland starts over: West coast musician to play Sarnia Ribfest". Sarnia Observer, 8 July 2002. She returned in with the album Home Is Where My Feet Are,Scott Brown, "Mother Holly's more mellow". Cowichan Valley Citizen, 15 September 2002. released on June 11, 2002. The album was supported by a tour, with Emm Gryner performing as the opening act,Gerry Krochak, "Motherhood offers new inspiration". Regina Leader-Post, 13 March 2003. and received several Western Canadian Music Award nominations in 2003 including Outstanding Pop Recording, Outstanding Producer (Malcolm Burn) and Outstanding Songwriter."Artists vie for music awards". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 21 August 2003.
She then provided backing vocals on the track "Wishing You Would Stay" on The Tea Party's 2004 album Seven Circles,Angela Pacienza, "The Tea Party less mystical on new CD". St. Catharines Standard, 21 August 2004. and again collaborated with Good on "Pony Boy", one of the new songs on his 2005 greatest hits package In a Coma. In 2004, she was also one of the performers at that year's National Aboriginal Achievement Awards."National Aboriginal Achievement Awards to air June 21". Journal Pioneer, 8 June 2004.
She followed up in 2007 with the album Chin-Up Buttercup,Tom Harrison, "The stuff of life inspires McNarland; Chin Up Buttercup depicts changes". The Province, 6 September 2007. and in 2012 with Run Body Run.Katherine Monk, "Holly McNarland: Run Body Run". Winnipeg Free Press, 23 June 2012.
She collaborated with Matt Good once again on his cover of Kate Bush's song Cloudbusting on his 2015 album Chaotic Neutral."Matthew Good taking chaos on the road". Campbell River Mirror, 24 September 2015.
Discography
Studio albums Stuff (1997) Home Is Where My Feet Are (2002) Chin-Up Buttercup (2007) Run Body Run (2012)
Live and compilation albums Live at the Great Hall (DVD) (2003) The Komrade Sessions (iTunes release in 2006, digital release only)
EPs Sour Pie (1995, re-released in 1996) Live Stuff (1999) The Komrade Sessions (2006)
Singles "Mr. 5 Minutes" (1995) "Numb" (1997) – No. 9 CAN "Elmo" (1997) "Coward" (1998) "Beautiful Blue" (2002) - No. 25 CAN "Do You Get High?" (2002) "Losing My Face" (2002) "Watching Over You" (2003) "So Cold" (2003) "Every Single Time" (2007)
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External links