You could call it the beautiful meanderings of an impassioned Piscean… or a sneak-peak into the transient headspace of a restless musician… or you could just call it the music of Hannah O’Reilly. All would be somewhat correct.
Hannah O’Reilly has been amid the sweat and catharsis that is song-writing for 11 years now. Creating everything from acapella blues to prostitute-killing murder ballads, from love and hate songs to contemptuous ramblings, and everything in between – all with the necessary amount of self-deprecation to pull it off without seeming like a twat.
With some of Edinburgh’s most murderously fabulous vocals, Hannah can make even the most treacherous of topics sound as sweet as apple pie. At first glance, it is just beautiful music (albeit dripping with attitude), and then it reveals itself to you from under the luscious melodies and you catch a glimpse of the traumas that lie beneath. There is sarcasm and cynicism around every corner, even in the most delicate of love song… and more often than not there are many layers of meaning lying mostly undiscovered beneath the obvious. Hannah digs mind games, y’see.
For the most part, Hannah is happy to just entertain the masses, fore despite the sturdy inclination toward the black & blue of life she is content being able to make people smile. She has Hawksley Workman’s lyric ‘the darkness defines where the light is’ tattooed on her forearm as a talisman, and firmly believes that being aware of the darkness doesn’t mean you have to be a miserable old cunt all the time. There is room for joy, even amongst the darkest of days. If you disagree with her on this, she welcomes you to come to one of her gigs where she will make you laugh and cry and maybe even snort a little. And if her songs don’t work, five minutes of her inane grin or a cheeky ‘motorboat’ should do the trick.
“I have cigarettes, paper bills, and a desire to feel” – Hannah O’Reilly 2009.
From a living as a publicist for rock bands in NZ, kissing arse and taking photos, to life as a musician in the UK (taking arse and kissing photos), Hannah threw off the shackles of the PR business and hit Edinburgh in 2003 to start the evolution.
Hannah became the Edinburgh Acoustic Idol two years running in 2004 & 2005 and played the obligatory festival outings – the Ross Bandstand, the Meadows Festival, and of course some perilous 1am busking in the Cowgate too. The highlight was playing the Asda car park trolley-bay in 2005 – a gig which was almost cut short by Hannah’s penchant for swearing like a trooper, despite the presence of children. Hannah was taught to say ‘Fuck Off’ at the tender age of 4… by her mother. Grin.
Hannah has a band - the wonderful 'AUGUSTALIA' - with Steve Galbraith on drums & Adrian Michalski on lead guitar... and when Hannah isn't doing her solo acoustic thing, you'll find her rocking her songs up with Augustalia.
There are two chewy album offerings planned for 2009 –
‘Stiletto’ – the result of the February Album Writing Month, 14 songs in 28 days; all written, produced and performed by Hannah O’Reilly. Release date – May 2009.
‘Of a Lesser God’ – the cheeky EP – Hannah’s most debauched tunes all bundled up into a juicy wee album for you to salivate and/or cum all over. Release date – August 2009.
Predicted 2010 releases -
'You’re a good man, despite what the graffiti says' – LP – a diverse collection of songs about the men that have changed her life.
‘Six Percent’ – LP – chronicling the breakdown of Hannah’s marriage, the aftermath, the self-destruction, and the rebuilding of a life she no longer cared much for - poignant and disturbing in equal measure.
'The Elemental Angel' - LP - the long-awaited 'first album'. This was originally supposed to be released in 2005, however after what some would call a breakdown, this was put on hold - but one day it will see the light!!
"What a stunning voice... really unique and hits you between the eyes" - Eddie Raynor (Split Enz)
Discography
‘Stand & See’ (the wee summer album) – August 2006 (EP)
This is available for £5 from www.hannahoreilly.com
'The Eve Sessions I' - June 2004 (EP)
Streaming singles from this album are also available on http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=11668
This EP has had extensive airplay in Wellington New Zealand on Beach FM in 2005.
'Out of the Ten' - September 2003 (LP)
Streaming singles from this album are available on http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=11668
hullo and ta for comments! a couple of places i know of in aberdeen are cafe drummonds and the tunnels. they are run by the same people i think - i get gigs from them now and then. they're on my myspace friends list anyway, "THE TUNNELS + CAFE DRUMMOND". (might b the other way round but i don't think it is...) anyway, thanks again for ur kind remarks, keith.
good sounds, miss, listened to bits of two tracks (modern life, eh? it sucks) and liked the vocal and guitar sounds... don't know if i'd commented before, have been guilty of addin too many "friends" before and not gettin round to listenin to 'em/losing track of who i had... cheers for noo, keith in macabre aberdeen.
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Well it was a bit of a triple-take at the Listening Room on Sunday. Was that Hannah with RED hair this time? Yep! Sure was. What was also sure was a brilliant set. Thanks so much and thanks for being a friend.
