Holly McNarland’s playlist

“Everybody’s got demons, I just throw it all out there,” Holly McNarland says like there’s nothing to it.

Since Holly’s 1997 debut, Stuff, this unrivaled alternative powerhouse has audaciously penned her autobiography through music. Each album is an excerpt from the book that is her life.

The next chapter, Holly’s brand new release Run Body Run, sees the Juno Award-winner free of the music industry’s heavy ball and chain for the first time in over a decade.

Though taking on the role of record label, manager, publicist and company is overwhelming, Holly loves every second of it. Specifically the indestructible bond she’s made with her fans.

“That’s why I’m doing this. I’m connecting with people,” Holly says.

“I was never able to connect with the fans like this other than when I was on stage or after a show. I was completely disconnected from that world. When you’re with a label, they do everything, at least that was my experience, and that’s what I didn’t like about it.”

Driven and passionate like never before, Run Body Run is Holly’s most honest offering to date.

“And it’s stripped down and not over produced,” Holly says. “You really hear the songwriting, you really hear my voice. It’s all there. This is me, I’m an open book.”

If Holly isn’t candid enough through song, get to know the lady that much more through her taste in music.

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Cat Named Virtue – Weakerthans

“John K Sampson is by far my favorite lyricist. He is a true word painter.”

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Calgary – Bon Iver

“I have no idea what he’s singing about most of the time, but this song screams road sex. Not that I know anything about that!”

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Before It Breaks – Brandi Carlile

“This girl has everything that I love in music. ‘Let it bend before it breaks’ is one of my favorite lines. I sing with her almost daily.”

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Set This Heart on Fire – Catherine MacLellan

“What a song. Catherine has my musical heart for life.”

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Pixies

“Any song from these guys. My all time fave band. I became a fan at 17 years of age and will always be one.”

Get Holly’s new album, Run Body Run, on iTunes now. Holly plays Toronto’s NXNE festival on June 16 at the Rivoli. Visit Holly’s official site for more tour dates and follow her on twitter and facebook.

Posted by Marc Andrew on May 15 2012. Filed under Celebrity Playlist. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.