Known as a heartbreak poet, an Ottawa singer/songwriter has a few tales to tell at her upcoming concert in Turner Valley.
“I like to write songs people can relate to like matters of the heart,” said Lynne Hanson last week. “It’s not all heartbreak songs, it’s real life stuff.”
Lynne Hanson and The Good Intentions will perform original roots and folk composition in the Beneath the Arch Concert Series in Turner Valley April 27 at 7 p.m. Hanson won Best American Band at the British Columbia Music Awards in 2011.
“Most artists will tell you they write what they know and what they’ve been through,” she said. “I’ve been up and down quite a bit in my life and struggled with lots of stuff. I try to tell the truth in my music. I don’t try to hide behind a nice way to say it. I try to be honest with some of the struggles that I’ve had.”
Hanson is open with her past hardships when it comes to writing music.
“I’ve been pretty public about the fact that I’ve had addiction issues and issues with mental health,” she said. “It’s important to talk openly about it. I’ve had rough personal times and that tends to get into my lyrics.”
Rewarding to Hanson is hearing the impact her music has on listeners.
“I get a lot of people coming up to me after the show as well and say, ‘I’ve been through those things,’” she said. “The beauty of being a songwriter is I put it in a song and people connect to it. It’s an opportunity to connect as people, and music allows us to do that.”
For Hanson, hearing those comments makes writing music worth the hard work she puts into it.
“When I hear people say that to me it makes me feel like what I’m doing for a living is worthwhile, especially when you hear musicians are struggling and not selling as much stuff,” she said. “It seems the industry is negative. The thing we can’t forget is that connection we make with people.”
Hanson describes herself as having a bit of an edge as a musician.
“The songs don’t come out real sweet sometimes,” she said. “They can have a bit of edge to them.”
Those gathering in the Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Hall this weekend can expect a combination of Hanson’s older songs while hearing some she plans to release in a new album in early 2020.
“I’ll be debuting a few tunes for this show to see what it’s going to be like to play them live,” she said. “More than anything I’m paying attention to what’s going on around me in the world. As an artist I’ve never wandered into that area.”
A couple of the songs deal with topics that explore the importance of showing others more respect and getting along.
“I’m probably a little more prone to having something to say about that these days,” she said. “It’s the closest I’ve been to being on a soapbox.”
Hanson’s music travels take her throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.
“Things are insanely busy,” she said. “I’ll have had five days off between Jan. 16 and the first week in May. It was the same in the fall. I don’t mind it. This is the busiest I’ve ever been.”
Each time Hanson’s shows bring her to Alberta, she gets a homey feeling.
“If I was ever going to move anywhere it would be Alberta,” she said. “The music scene is fantastic, the audiences are amazing. I think there’s seven folk clubs in Calgary. There are so many opportunities to play. They’re very supportive, people come out to live shows.”
Hanson has been performing professionally since 2000, and launched a solo career in 2006.
“I’ve been doing my own thing for 13 years,” she said. “Being a songwriter is the most rewarding thing that I could possibly do. I love words, playing music, playing with other musicians. It’s the creative part that I absolutely love. I couldn’t imagine doing anything different.”
Those planning to take in her show this weekend will have a good time, promises Hanson.
“The musicians I’m playing with are really good,” she said. “It’s not just about the music, it’s an entertaining show. I’ve got lots of Irish in me so I’m bit of a storyteller.”
To learn more about Lynne Hanson go to
lynnehanson.com. To book tickets to her show go to beneaththearch.ca
Tickets cost $25 for adults, $10 for children ages six to 12 years and free for those five and under.
