Holly Throsby

Holly Throsby

Holly Throsby (born December 28, 1978 in Sydney) is a two-time ARIA nominated songwriter, singer, guitarist and pianist from Sydney, Australia. She is the daughter of ABC Classic FM radio presenter Margaret Throsby. She has recently released her third full length album, A Loud Call on Spunk Records.

Career

Holly Throsby was raised in Sydney and began studying guitar at the age of 8. She studied classical guitar techniques as a teenager and began composing from the age of 11. After completing a Bachelor of Arts at Sydney University, majoring in English, Throsby worked in a cult video store and travelled extensively before recording her debut LP, "On Night".

Recorded with experimental producer Tony Dupe at his cottage on Saddleback Mountain on the NSW south coast, "On Night" was noted for its lyrical sophistication, emotional resonance and bare, unadorned production (native bird calls, frogs and barking dogs can be heard throughout). It was released by the influential indie label Spunk Records in 2004 and received critical praise in Australia and abroad. Throsby soon found herself touring with the likes of Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Joanna Newsom,Smog, M. Ward and Devendra Banhart.

In 2006 Throsby released her sophomore LP, "Under the Town", again produced by Dupe and featuring a larger group of accompanying musicians. Retaining the literate warmth of the debut, Under the Town was again lauded by critics and Throsby embarked on a US tour with Slint and Tortoise guitarist, David Pajo.

Upon returning to Australia Throsby was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Female Artist. She toured extensively and recorded an EP, "One of You for Me", featuring a duet with fellow Australian Sarah Blasko.

Throsby’s third album, "A Loud Call", was recorded in Nashville by Mark Nevers (Lambchop) with string and horn arrangements recorded in the Kangaroo Valley, NSW, by Dupe. Featuring guest vocals by Will Oldham a.k.a. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and guest musicians from Lambchop and Silver Jews, "A Loud Call" has been hailed by the Australian press as Throsby’s strongest work.

In July 2008 Holly toured the UK & Ireland with iconic singer/songwriter Paul Kelly. She returned to undertake her biggest Australian tour to date, taking in 22 cities and towns. On September 10th she was nominated for her second ARIA Award for Best Female Artist.

She is touring Australia in February 2009 as part of the St Jerome's Laneway Festival

Trivia

She contributed a t-shirt design for the Yellow Bird Project, to raise money for Amnesty International.

She has written and illustrated two comic books which act as companion pieces to her albums.

She is the niece of noted Australian cultural economist David Throsby.

Her grandmother was a cellist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

She appears on the new album, "In Field & Town", by Canadian musician Hayden (musician).

Discography

Albums

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

Singles/EPs

• One of You For Me (2007)
• Everything Sings Out (2006)
• Things Between People (2004)

Compilations

• Like a Version: Volume 2 - cover of "Mistress" by Red House Painters (2006)
• She Will Have Her Way - cover of "Not the Girl You Think You Are" by Crowded House (2005)

External links

• Official site