MJ is a monster talent - producer, recording artist, singer-songwriter. She establishes hypnotic rhythms with her piano while her thoughtful lyrics and captivating voice combine to produce a soulful, bluesy, groovy feel. And on her guitar she rocks, never forgetting her alternative rock roots as a proud part of an underground scene in Austin, TX, the "Live Music Capitol of the World”.

MJ’s music is diversely influenced and tooled. She grew up on the Texas Gulf coast and obtained a music theory degree from UT Austin. She began exploring her passion for songwriting at a little place called Chicago House where poets, performance artists, play-writes and musicians gathered to exchange ideas, talent and camaraderie. Concurrently, she fronted a premier party band with Brad Segal called Stained Glass Man, and she began touring with the all girl band Girls in the Nose. She was lucky enough to “surf” a couple of touring “waves” with the queen of indie rock, Ani Difranco, and with the recording of Take Me Round, MJ established her own rock-n-roll independence.

Torrance left Austin in 1994 on a little BMW R-65 and wound up in the Northwest. Ultimately, she ended up in Bozeman, MT where she put a lot of time in at the music library of KGLT on the MSU campus and at the home studio of Derrick Ecker. Meanwhile, MJ kept her performance chops opening for KebMo, Richard Thompson, Steve Forbert and such as well as played in several local bands.

Torrance began to make her way back home to Austin and met David Zajicek in 2003, an incredible production engineer. Together they produced Here to Here (joined once again by Brad Segal) and Fairy Tales and Funerals (joined by Johnny Big and Arnie Yanez). Both works are fun, cohesive albums that rock boogie style.

Now back in Austin, MJ has been enjoying playing in all kinds of musical situations from ambient to over-drive. In 2010, she teamed up with Grammy award winner Chet Himes to produce Keys to the Sanctuary, an extraordinary piano/vocal album that showcases her unique vocal qualities as well as the continual blooming of her song-writing and piano playing.

MJ can perform for any occasion as a solo lounge act, a full rock band , or any combo in between. While her passion is rhythm and blues, she is also adept at jazz standards.

Discography
2010    Keys to the Sanctuary - MJ Torrance
2005    Fairy Tales & Funerals - MJ Torrance
2004    Here to Here - MJ Torrance
2002    Beside Ourselves - Doppel Gang
2001    Sparks From a Live Wire
1992    Take Me Round
1992    Origins of the World - Girls in the Nose