While teaching in a small community on Manitoulin Island in 2009, Sudbury musician Jennifer Holub wrote songs as a way to process her feelings about some of the town's social issues.
“Being able to live in a small town of 300 people, you've got a real close insight of some human behaviour, which I found very fascinating,” Holub said. “So that gave me a lot of great inspiration to write songs.”
Someone suggested she enter the Meltdown, a yearly contest held at the Townehouse Tavern, where newcomers can win themselves a slot to play at Northern Lights Festival Boréal.
Not only did Holub enter the contest, she won. Hot on the heels of her victory, Holub released her first album, called Names, in 2010, although the release was only in Sudbury to a handful of fans.
After that, Holub fell victim to what she calls the “impostor syndrome,” where she doubted her own talent. Instead of diving into music, she decided to pursue her master's degree in education, which she earned last year.
But Holub — who as a child entertained neighbours with impromptu concerts using her Fisher Price microphone, and was into musical theatre and band at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School in her teens — couldn't get music out of her soul.
She quit her consulting job in education, and found a part-time job as a music teacher on Manitoulin Island that allowed her more flexibility.
Holub has since become involved in a few bands, including Northern Memphis Revival, a soul group, and The Co-operative, a dance band.
“I feel like music has exploded as soon as I took the step towards music,” Holub said. “Things just started to come my way.”
On June 25, Holub releases her second album, For the Haunting, through the new Canadian indie record company, Indiecan Records.
She's holding an album release party that evening starting at 8 p.m. at the Townehouse Tavern. The evening features performances by herself and Brian Dunn, backed up by a full band.
The album's name carries a special significance.
“The concept of the album came from this idea that I had put off doing music for so long,” said Holub, who said her style is alternative folk country.
“Deep down I knew there was something haunting me or whispering at me the whole time to do something like this. Each song is consistent in the theme of dealing with a ghost from our past or something that's lingering there, that hasn't been dealt with or hasn't been realized.”
Finally admitting she was meant to be a musician “is everything,” she said.
“I think that you've found the right fit and found your purpose when you forget to do other things,” she said.
“You forget what time it is, forget to check your phone or eat sometimes. It feels really good. I think I found the right fit for myself because I want to keep learning about it. I've not gotten bored by any means.”
If performing is what Holub wanted to do, she'll be doing plenty of it this summer. You can catch her at Northern Lights Festival Boréal July 10 and the Peter Schneider Concert Series in Bell Park Aug. 14 (along with Dunn).
Holub is also doing a tour of the East Coast this summer, and in the fall, she'll co-headline a tour of Ontario alongside Dunn.
For the Haunting will be available for purchase as of June 25. Visit www.jenniferholub.com for more information.
