Renowned Canadian multi-genre chanteuse Molly Johnson released her sixth studio album, Because Of Billie on September 9 via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. The record will be available digitally, on CD as well as 2LP gatefold, 180 gram vinyl.
Billie Holiday’s journey inspires Johnson not only as an artist, but as a model citizen. “Billie and her generation were the civil rights movement,” Johnson notes. “Her generation sacrificed for my privilege and I am honour-bound to them. I love history. I love to look back while pushing forward.”
“For years, people have said to me, ‘You are so much like Billie Holiday,’” says Johnson speaking on this ambitious and also deeply personal project. “My response has been ‘No, I am because of Billie.’”
Recorded in Toronto with producers John Bailey and Mike Downes, Johnson wanted to infuse Because Of Billie with her idol’s spirit, preparing the album’s 14 songs emotionally and technically so many could be recorded in one take.