Photo by Ivan Otis
Miranda Mulholland - Whipping Boy
Recorded in Los Angeles and Toronto with producer/multi-instrumentalist Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) this album marks the solo full length debut of Miranda Mulholland, key member of Great Lake Swimmers and Belle Starr.
fresh, literate and dynamic, this rootsy record features Miranda's skilled singing and fiddle playing, Sean's virtuosic guitar as well as cameos by Greg Leisz and Burke Carroll.
Mixed by John Dinsmore. Mastered by David Travers-Smith
REVIEWS
Matthew McKean, EXCLAIM!
"Her solo debut, Whipping Boy, produced by Sean Watkins, multi-instrumentalist for the Grammy winning progressive bluegrass trio Nickel Creek, showcases an über-talented musician at the top of her game.
There's subtle power and distinctive personality to Miranda Mulholland. Her songwriting, her voice and of course her fiddle are charming from beginning to end. Released on Mulholland's own new label, Roaring Girl, Whipping Boy confirms that the question will soon be who's playing with Miranda Mulholland, not the other way around."
Skot Nelson, NO DEPRESSION
"Whipping Boy marks the first full length solo album from Miranda Mu..., but it’s most definitely not the first time you’ve heard the fiery redheaded fiddler. She’s a full time member of Great Lake Swimmers and Belle Stars and has played with just about everybody you can think of including Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, Justin Rutledge, NQ Arbuckle and Carolyn Mark. Mullholland’s sound is everywhere.
Basically, if you’re putting together an album Mulholland is the secret weapon you want in your quiver.
Given that collection of friends it makes sense that Mulholland’s solo debut would come out swinging strong. The album opens with the title track and it’s an upbeat rocker that kicks aside any expectations that this is going to a collection of jigs and reels. Mulholland’s voice is strong and it’s nice to hear it in the foreground for a change.
The album showcases a mix of styles ranging from instrumental tracks to the classic waltz sound of Hold My Tongue."
Biography
Classically trained on violin and in voice, Miranda is a versatile performer and in high demand as a fiddler and singer covering a wide range of styles. Her debut full length solo album, Whipping Boy, was released in May to critical acclaim.
Currently she is a member of Great Lake Swimmers and Belle Starr. She makes select appearances in the violin show, 'Bowfire' and has sung and played fiddle with Jim Cuddy, Steven Page, Calexico, Joel Plaskett, Rose Cousins, Alan Doyle, Raine Maida, Dan Mangan, John Borra, The Rattlesnake Choir and Justin Rutledge, among others. Not limited to band performances, Miranda has appeared in various theatre productions including the Dora winning production of 'Parfumerie' with Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto as well as this fall's world premiere of 'Spoon River'.
In addition to varied studio work, she has toured extensively in Europe and North America with the celtic rock bands The Mahones and The Peelers, The Paperboys, The Glengarry Bhoys and the alt-country band Luther Wright and the Wrongs. She was also a member of the Canadian cast of Barrage and the Irish Dance Show, Spirit of Ireland.
Miranda can be heard on records by Justin Rutledge, Sarah Slean, Cowboy Junkies and N.Q. Arbuckle to name a few.
Miranda studied Opera Performance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University