Holly McNarland

Holly McNarland, born in 1975 and raised in Winnipeg, took up the guitar at fifteen after a friend provided her first instrument. Mastering a handful of chords soon led her to write original songs and lyrics, after which she began entering talent contests that accustomed her to live performance and helped build both stage presence and self-assurance. She supplemented early singing engagements with waitressing income until, at twenty-one, she used a few thousand dollars to secure studio time. In less than a week she completed the six-track EP Sour Pie, released independently around 1995. Its reception prompted MCA Canada to sign her, and the label reissued the EP in 1996. The following year brought her second album, Stuff, which drew largely favorable critical notices; two years later Live Stuff appeared. By the close of the decade McNarland had assembled a substantial audience throughout Canada and the United States. She maintains an active touring schedule backed by guitarist James Junger, bassist Mark Pullyblank, and drummer Chris Gorst. Among the darker, frequently confrontational songs in her catalog are “Numb,” “Cry or Cum,” “Sick Boy,” “I Won’t Stay,” “The Box,” “Stormy,” and “Dad & I.” Observers have likened her emotionally charged style to that of Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette.