Holly Throsby
Encyclopedia
Holly Throsby is a songwriter
, vocalist, guitar
ist and pianist
from Sydney
, Australia. Throsby was nominated for an Australian Recording Industry Association
(ARIA) 'Best Female Artist' Award
in 2006
for Under the Town
and in the same category in 2008
for A Loud Call.
Classic FM
radio presenter Margaret Throsby
. Her uncle is the noted cultural economist, David Throsby
, and her grandmother was a cellist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
. As a child, Throsby was encouraged in her musical pursuits. She studied classical guitar techniques and began composing from the age of 11. After earning a B.A. degree
(majoring in English) from the University of Sydney
, Throsby worked in an art house 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 in 2003, 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 second 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 was nominated for an ARIA
Award for Best Female Artist.
Throsby's third album, "A Loud Call", was recorded in Nashville by Mark Nevers (Lambchop
, Andrew Bird
) 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" was hailed by the Australian and the British press as Throsby's strongest work. On 10 September she was nominated for the second time for ARIA
Award's "Best Female Artist".
In October 2010 Throsby released an album of original children's songs called "See!". Billed as an alternative "black sheep" children's album, "See!" features special guest cameos by Darren Hanlon
, J. Walker, Jack Ladder & Margaret Throsby
. It was released through ABC Music
.
In 2011, Throsby released her fifth album, "Team". Recorded in a 19th Century church with Dupe, "Team" received a slew of four star reviews in the Australian & British press (The Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Times) and was lauded as Throsby's most experimental album, eschewing traditional song structure for layered, intersecting vocals expressing varying points of view around the subject of a relationship breakdown.
In June 2011, the debut album by Seeker Lover Keeper
was released - a band comprising Throsby, Sarah Blasko
and Sally Seltmann. The album, which was recorded in New York with engineer Victor Van Vugt
(PJ Harvey, Nick Cave) and Dirty Three
drummer Jim White
, debuted at #3 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Seeker Lover Keeper
completed a national sold-out tour in July, 2011.
Throsby, along with Sarah Blasko
and Sally Seltmann is a member of the band Seeker Lover Keeper
.
coverage in the US.
Throsby contributed a t-shirt design for The Yellow Bird Project to raise money for Amnesty International
.
Throsby is a member of the Voiceless Council. Voiceless: The Animal Protection Institute is an independent non-profit think tank dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals in Australia.
On her official website, Throsby lists her interests outside of songwriting as contemporary literature, political intrigue, cryptic crosswords, small towns and dogs.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, vocalist, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia. Throsby was nominated for an Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
(ARIA) 'Best Female Artist' Award
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
in 2006
ARIA Music Awards of 2006
The 20th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 29 October 2006 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex...
for Under the Town
Under the Town
Under the Town is an album by Australian folk singer-guitarist Holly Throsby, which was released on 20 July 2006. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006, Throsby was nominated in the 'Best Female Artist' category for Under the Town.-Track listing:...
and in the same category in 2008
ARIA Music Awards of 2008
The 22nd Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards took place on 19 October 2008...
for A Loud Call.
Career
Holly Throsby was raised in Sydney, Australia and began studying guitar at the age of 8. She is the daughter of the renowned ABCAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
Classic FM
ABC Classic FM
ABC Classic FM is a classical music radio station available in Australia, and internationally online. It is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation . It was established in 1976 as "ABC-FM", and later for a short time was known as "ABC Fine Music" , before adopting its current name...
radio presenter Margaret Throsby
Margaret Throsby
Margaret Throsby AM is an Australian radio broadcaster.She has presented ABC Classic FM's Morning Program since 1994. Each morning an hour is devoted to an interview with a notable guest, interspersed with some of their own musical choices. She has interviewed thousands of notable people...
. Her uncle is the noted cultural economist, David Throsby
David Throsby
Charles David Throsby is an Australian economist, especially well-known as a cultural economist. His book The Economics of the Performing Arts, co-authored with Glenn Withers, first published in 1979 and reissued in 1993, has become a standard reference work in the field...
, and her grandmother was a cellist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra , commonly known as the Sydney Symphony, is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney...
. As a child, Throsby was encouraged in her musical pursuits. She studied classical guitar techniques and began composing from the age of 11. After earning a B.A. degree
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(majoring in English) from the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, Throsby worked in an art house video store and travelled extensively before recording her debut LP, On Night.
Recorded with experimental producer Tony Dupe
Tony Dupe
Tony Dupe is an Australian music producer and musician. He performs and releases music under the name of Saddleback. He has released two solo albums, Everything's a Love Letter and Night Maps...
at his cottage on Saddleback Mountain
Saddleback Mountain
Saddleback Mountain is the name of a number of mountains worldwide.-In the United States:California* Saddleback Maine* Saddleback Junior, 574662...
on the NSW south coast in 2003, 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
Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom is an American harpist, pianist and singer-songwriter from Nevada City, California.- Early life :Newsom grew up in the small town of Nevada City, California...
, Smog
Smog (band)
Bill Callahan , is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, who has also recorded and performed under the band name Smog. Callahan began working in the lo-fi genre of underground rock, with home-made tape-albums recorded on four track tape recorders...
, M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
and Devendra Banhart
Devendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
.
In 2006, Throsby released her second LP, Under the Town
Under the Town
Under the Town is an album by Australian folk singer-guitarist Holly Throsby, which was released on 20 July 2006. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006, Throsby was nominated in the 'Best Female Artist' category for Under the Town.-Track listing:...
, 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 was nominated for an ARIA
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
Award for Best Female Artist.
Throsby's third album, "A Loud Call", was recorded in Nashville by Mark Nevers (Lambchop
Lambchop (band)
Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre...
, Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :...
) with string and horn arrangements recorded in the Kangaroo Valley, NSW, by Dupe. Featuring guest vocals by Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
a.k.a. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and guest musicians from Lambchop
Lambchop (band)
Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre...
and Silver Jews
Silver Jews
Silver Jews was an indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman remained throughout and was the only constant member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band...
, "A Loud Call" was hailed by the Australian and the British press as Throsby's strongest work. On 10 September she was nominated for the second time for ARIA
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
Award's "Best Female Artist".
In October 2010 Throsby released an album of original children's songs called "See!". Billed as an alternative "black sheep" children's album, "See!" features special guest cameos by Darren Hanlon
Darren Hanlon
Darren Hanlon is an Australian singer/songwriter who plays urban folk music. He has released five solo albums, three EPs and eight singles on Candle Records and Flippin Yeah industries , as well as several compilation tracks...
, J. Walker, Jack Ladder & Margaret Throsby
Margaret Throsby
Margaret Throsby AM is an Australian radio broadcaster.She has presented ABC Classic FM's Morning Program since 1994. Each morning an hour is devoted to an interview with a notable guest, interspersed with some of their own musical choices. She has interviewed thousands of notable people...
. It was released through ABC Music
ABC Music
ABC Music: The Radio 1 Sessions, released in October 2002, is a compilation by post-rock band Stereolab of BBC Radio 1 sessions recorded from July 1991 to August 2001...
.
In 2011, Throsby released her fifth album, "Team". Recorded in a 19th Century church with Dupe, "Team" received a slew of four star reviews in the Australian & British press (The Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Mirror, The Sunday Times) and was lauded as Throsby's most experimental album, eschewing traditional song structure for layered, intersecting vocals expressing varying points of view around the subject of a relationship breakdown.
In June 2011, the debut album by Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker Lover Keeper is an Australian musical supergroup formed by Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby. Their first album, which is self-titled, was released on 3 June 2011 through Dew Process/UMA....
was released - a band comprising Throsby, Sarah Blasko
Sarah Blasko
Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. After fronting Sydney-based band Acquiesce from the mid-1990s, Blasko developed her solo career from 2002. In 2007, she won the 'Best Pop Release' for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards, which...
and Sally Seltmann. The album, which was recorded in New York with engineer Victor Van Vugt
Victor Van Vugt
Victor Van Vugt is an award-winning music producer, mixer and engineer. An Australian based in New York, he has had a long association with the careers of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Beth Orton. He has also worked with the likes of P.J...
(PJ Harvey, Nick Cave) and Dirty Three
Dirty Three
Dirty Three are an instrumental trio consisting of Warren Ellis , Mick Turner and Jim White , originating from Melbourne, Australia. Since the Dirty Three formed in 1992, they have spent a lot of time overseas...
drummer Jim White
Jim White (drummer)
Jim White is an Australian drummer . He is the drummer for the Dirty Three, a band formed in Melbourne, but he has also played with a number of other groups, including:*Tren Brothers, consisting of Jim White and Mick Turner, guitarist of the Dirty Three....
, debuted at #3 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker Lover Keeper is an Australian musical supergroup formed by Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby. Their first album, which is self-titled, was released on 3 June 2011 through Dew Process/UMA....
completed a national sold-out tour in July, 2011.
Other projects
In addition to recording, Throsby has written and illustrated two comic books which act as companion pieces to her albums.Throsby, along with Sarah Blasko
Sarah Blasko
Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. After fronting Sydney-based band Acquiesce from the mid-1990s, Blasko developed her solo career from 2002. In 2007, she won the 'Best Pop Release' for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards, which...
and Sally Seltmann is a member of the band Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker Lover Keeper
Seeker Lover Keeper is an Australian musical supergroup formed by Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby. Their first album, which is self-titled, was released on 3 June 2011 through Dew Process/UMA....
.
Trivia
Throsby's song "A Heart Divided" is featured on an international TV and cinema campaign for Tourism Victoria, filmed in Australia and Finland. The ad was directed by Mike Daly and aired during the 2011 Australian Open2011 Australian Open
The 2011 Australian Open was a tennis tournament featuring six different competitions, and part of the 2011 ATP World Tour, the 2011 WTA Tour, ITF Junior Tour and the NEC Tour, as tournaments for professional, junior and wheelchair players were held...
coverage in the US.
Throsby contributed a t-shirt design for The Yellow Bird Project to raise money for Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
.
Throsby is a member of the Voiceless Council. Voiceless: The Animal Protection Institute is an independent non-profit think tank dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals in Australia.
On her official website, Throsby lists her interests outside of songwriting as contemporary literature, political intrigue, cryptic crosswords, small towns and dogs.
Albums
- On Night (2004)
- Under the TownUnder the TownUnder the Town is an album by Australian folk singer-guitarist Holly Throsby, which was released on 20 July 2006. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006, Throsby was nominated in the 'Best Female Artist' category for Under the Town.-Track listing:...
(2006) - A Loud Call (2008)
- See! (2010)
- Team (2011)
- Seeker Lover KeeperSeeker Lover KeeperSeeker Lover Keeper is an Australian musical supergroup formed by Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby. Their first album, which is self-titled, was released on 3 June 2011 through Dew Process/UMA....
(2011) - with Sarah BlaskoSarah BlaskoSarah Elizabeth Blaskow , is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. After fronting Sydney-based band Acquiesce from the mid-1990s, Blasko developed her solo career from 2002. In 2007, she won the 'Best Pop Release' for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards, which...
and Sally Seltmann
Singles/EPs
- Things Between People (2004)
- Everything Sings Out [UK tour EP] (2006)
- One of You For Me (2007)
Compilations
- She Will Have Her WayShe Will Have Her WayShe Will Have Her Way is a compilation album featuring female Australian and New Zealand musicians performing songs written by Neil Finn and Tim Finn , members of Split Enz and Crowded House...
- cover of "Not the Girl You Think You AreNot the Girl You Think You Are"Not the Girl You Think You Are" is a 1996 song by rock group Crowded House. It was the third and final single released from the group's greatest hits compilation Recurring Dream...
" by Crowded HouseCrowded HouseCrowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
(2005) - Like a Version: Volume 2Like A VersionLike a Version is a segment on the Australian radio station Triple J. It was created by Mel Bampton as part of the Mel in the Morning program. Currently the segment pops up whenever artists are available and willing to do it, though mainly on the Breakfast show...
- cover of "Mistress" by Red House PaintersRed House PaintersRed House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
(2006) - Like a Version: Volume 5Like A VersionLike a Version is a segment on the Australian radio station Triple J. It was created by Mel Bampton as part of the Mel in the Morning program. Currently the segment pops up whenever artists are available and willing to do it, though mainly on the Breakfast show...
- cover of "Berlin ChairBerlin Chair"Berlin Chair" is the second single from the album Sound As Ever by Australian rock band You Am I. It was released in 1994 and reached #23 in that year's Hottest 100, while in the 1998 Hottest 100 of All Time it came in at #61 and #52 in the 2009 Hottest 100 of All Time. In a phone-in poll in 1999,...
" by You Am IYou Am IYou Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Tim Rogers. They were the first Australian band to have three albums successively debut at #1 on the ARIA Charts, and are renowned for their live performances.-History:Tim Rogers formed the first...
(2009)