Welcome

It’s amazing how many times I hear fellow 30-somethings bemoan the fact that there is no good/interesting/original music out there nowadays. What a load of …. OK, I’ll say it - crap! This blog is dedicated to sharing some of the best indie talent out there as well as some websites that take the guesswork out of finding new music. As for the age appropriate bit, most of the musicians I’ll be profiling are in their 30s -- making it harder to make excuses like today’s music is for kids. So let’s jump right in with my first recommendation….

Holly Throsby

Holly Throsby is a 30-year old singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia. If forced to categorize her music, I'd put her neatly in the folk-pop bin. I first discovered her back in the antipodean winter of 2005 when she was opening for New Buffalo (a.k.a. Sally Seltmann of Feist's "1234" fame). Now whenever I’m asked for Australian music recommendations – or any music recommendation for that matter – Holly’s at the top of my list.

Why I love her (and you should too)
First I’d have to say her lyrics. Holly holds a bachelors degree in English, and it definitely shows in her use of language. Her songs are sparse, image-laden, sorrowful yet quirky. And this song-writing prowess is what sets her apart from more mainstream contemporaries like Sarah Blasko and Missy Higgins.

With each album, Holly Throsby keeps getting stronger both as a song-writer and as a performer. Her most recent CD, A Loud Call, was recorded in Nashville, TN by Mark Nevers, and includes a number of special guests from Bonnie “Prince” Billy to various members of Lambchop and the Silver Jews.

Now a headlining act, Holly tours with her backing band, the Hello Tigers (Jens Birchall and Bree van Reyk.) Amongst the three of them, they play almost 10 instruments including guitar, cello, accordion, glockenspiel, and even a set of percussive chopsticks.

And for something totally random, you’ve gotta love a gal who can ride a unicycle!

Listen Up!
So have a listen to Holly Throsby for yourself. First up is the beautiful “To Begin With” from her critically acclaimed third album, A Loud Call. Shot in a Sydney park amongst dogs, birds, and claps of thunder, it’s the perfect backdrop to Holly’s bare songs and frail, breathy vocals.



And here's “We're Good People But Why Don't We Show It?” from her debut album, On Night. This was the first song she played that cold night in 2005, and it’s still one of my all time favorites.

Check her out!

This month it was announced that Holly scored funding as part of the International Pathway grants program. So she and Bree are taking the money and hitting the road this September/ October touring New Zealand, the UK and Europe. Updated tour dates can be found at http://www.myspace.com/hollythrosby.

Discography:

A Loud Call (2008) * Under the Town (2006) * On Night (2004)