Holla & Moan might convince you that Chess records never closed; it just moved to Australia. The McNaMarr Project combines the talents of two of Australia’s most powerful and successful blues artists, including the stunning vocalist Andrea Marr, who channels the best of Bettye Lavette and Tina Turner like no other, and John McNamara, whose potently authentic roots guitar and soul-drenched vocals create the perfect pairing with Marr’s scorching skills. Holla & Moan is an all-original set of soul, blues, gospel and funk music that shows off the sophisticated songwriting skills of both lead artists, supported by a world-class team of backing musicians and produced to perfection.
The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society recently awarded Holla & Moan Album Of The Year and title track “Holla & Moan” Song Of The Year at the 2019 Vic/Tas Blues Awards. The McNaMarr Project brings the sound of soul blues on Holla & Moan with their love of Stax, Chess and Motown written into every song.
Marr and McNamara are already well loved in Australia, where Marr’s 2017 album Natural hit #1 on the Australian Blues and Roots Charts and the US Roots Music Report Soul and R&B charts, and racked up 4 Australian Blues Music Award nominations. McNamara’s 2017 single “Rolling With It,” also hit #1 on the US Roots Music Report’s Contemporary Blues Singles chart and #1 on the Amrap singles chart, received 3 nominations at the Australian Blues Music Awards and won “Song of the Year.”
