There is a huge trend in Aboriginal music country and that is the independent release of albums. The majority of Aboriginal artists go it alone without the support of a label or a management team simply for the love of music.
When an artist has a label and then decides to go the independent route, it feels a little shocking. But that is exactly what singer-songwriter Holly McNarland has done. She is celebrating the launch of her very first independent full-length release, Run Body Run, and it is available digitally.
In a news release, McNarland says she now feels free to make music when, how and with whom she wants.
“When I was with a label, I felt very far from and separated from my fans outside of playing shows,” says McNarland. “Now there’s no separation – I am working on my career without a manager, or a record label.”
McNarland’s 1997 album Stuff went platinum, and the next year she won the Juno for best new solo artist. She headlined the 2004 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and performed on the same stage as Buffy Sainte-Marie at the 2008 Celebration of Aboriginal Canadian Women.
To help reach out to her fans, McNarland is running a pretty cool contest for you to see her at the North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival in Toronto. You could win a trip for two to Toronto, festival passes, the very first signed copy of her new album, a pair of Manitobah Mukluks and more. There are even runner-up prizes. All the deets are on McNarland’s site.
This is "Alone's Just Fine," off her new album Run Body Run.
Related links:
Holly McNarland on CBC Music
Samantha Crain finds musical inspiration in her indigenous heritage
The official Holly McNarland site
posted by
Kim Wheeler
on May 15, 2012