NewSong’s 7th annual LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition takes place Oct. 24! This month, we are introducing readers to our eight, talented finalists. Today we are proud to highlight Canadian artist Lynne Hanson.
Lynne’s brand of “porch music with a little red dirt” can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. She’s known for her high-energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions.
We asked Lynne some questions to learn more about her artistic process and inspiration.
How do you describe your songwriting process?
Probably 90 percent of my creative process takes place while on a guitar. I might have a title or a line or two to start with, but melodies and groove are a big part of my lyrical development process. I can sometimes sit for an entire day playing the same thing over and over until the words find their way out and into my laptop. I pretty much never develop lyrics on actual paper as I love to edit while I go.
Where do you find inspiration, and who are your songwriting muses/heroes?
I’m pretty much a sponge, so anything and everything can inspire a song. I’ve started songs in the back of tour vans, hotel rooms, and even on stage during soundcheck. Prior to the shutdown, I spent a lot of time touring, so I really had to set aside specific times to be able to create. Like a lot of songwriters at this time, I’m not writing a lot, but I’ve been at it long enough to know that no writer’s block is forever, and a lot of the time it’s just a case of needing time to process. And there is a LOT to process right now.
What important news about your music?
I released my seventh studio album “Just Words” in February 2020 which has gotten some excellent attention, including landing me song of the year from Blues and Roots Radio in their international song contest. I was just starting a year of album release touring when the pandemic hit, but I’ve been keeping occupied learning how to record at home, to livestream, and even a little video production.
What does it mean to you to be selected as a NewSong finalist, and what do you hope to get out of the experience?
I know how prestigious it is to be a NewSong finalist, so it is really quite an honour to have been selected. I’m looking forward to hearing the other finalists, and joining a fantastic songwriting community. And I’ve heard so many amazing things about the LEAF festival that I can’t wait to experience it first hand when we’re able.
