LISTEN UP! Holly Miranda
If you haven’t already heard of Brooklyn-based Holly Miranda, you’re about to. With the release of her debut album, The Magician’s Private Library (produced by TV On the Radio’s Dave Sitek), she has garnered a lot of much deserved praise. Kanye blogged about her a while back and was completely taken by her airy falsetto’s and surprisingly powerful voice. The girl has a wide vocal range, and she displays her furthermost spectrum perfectly with the deep, rich timbre in “No One Just Is” and the dreamy wisp-like vocals in “Joints.”
Lush backdrops of hazy layers create a dream-like quality which only adds to create an atmosphere and other-worldly environment Miranda’s stunning vocals. Big things are in store for this young artist, and I’m excited to see what she makes of it.
These shorts were filmed in Toronto before her concert at the El Mocambo on May 20. If you’re new to Holly, here are two videos to get yourself acquainted with. And if you’re already an old fan, enjoy (and spread the word)!
Videos credited to: http://woodandwiresvideos.blogspot.com/
CONCERT REVIEW: Holly Miranda w/ Braids @ El Mocambo (May 20, 2010)
Holly Miranda @ The Elmo
Thursday night at the El Mocambo was Holly Miranda’s second visit to Toronto in the past 9 months and her first headlining show in support of her debut solo album “The Magicians Private Library”; and the young up and coming artist not disappoint.
Having it been my first time at the local iconic venue, which has hosted The Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughn, I was pleasantly surprised by it’s clean open space and good sight lines. My only gripe would have to be its muddy sound system that seemed be more of a problem for opening band, Braids. Luckily sound issues got sorted out by the time Holly Miranda was in to her second song.
Canadian act Braids seemed a good match to open for Miranda as their music has the same layered ethereal sounds and textures and haunting vocals. Although they played to quite an empty venue, those who gathered near the front of the stage were engaged–including Holly. And the band seemed unfazed by the small size of the crowd and content on playing their hearts out for whatever number of ears were in the building.
The audience had grown by the time Holly hit the stage at around 11, but the Elmo still wasn’t at what you would call full capacity. Regardless, her set was full of heart and passion, and that was evident in the way she sang her words and the way she closed her eyes as she lost herself in the music. Her songs were were sonically lush and thick in texture and reminiscent of a humid summers night, perfectly mirroring the weather that night, but there is something else in her music–a sort of wide-eyed wonder, if you will–that seems to be ingrained in the melodies. In-between songs, the man beside me turned to me and said, “I’ve never heard of her before, but she’s amazing!” The late-night concertgoers were clearly into the music as they swayed with the music, beer in hand. Highlights of Holly Miranda’s performance were “Waves,” her cover of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and “Pelican Rapids”–her new song about how ‘everyone should be allowed to marry whoever the f–k they want’. If there’s one thing I was a bit disappointed in, it was the lack of banter; but then again, it’s really all about the music in the end, isn’t it? The girl was a sweetheart, the music was good, and it didn’t hurt that she was easy on the eyes as well.
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Check out Holly’s previous musical outfit, The Jealous Girlfriends.
