Canada's own Queen of Americana”

— Jan Hall, Folk Roots Radio

Bio

WHO IS Lynne Hanson in 30 words or less:  Lynne Hanson is an Ottawa-based, Americana songwriter known for her high energy roots guitar driven live performances with an authenticity that's as entertaining as it is disarming.

Too tough for folk and too blues-influenced for country, Lynne Hanson’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. Her hard living music has garnered her the nickname “Canada’s Queen of Americana.” And while her deep, bluesy croon has drawn comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, it’s the poetry of her lyrics that really sets her apart. 

Winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards, Hanson is known for her high energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions. She has an uncanny way of connecting with her audience with an authenticity that is as entertaining as it is disarming. 

The prolific songwriter has released nine studio albums along with two books of poetry over her 18 year solo career.  She’s toured extensively across North America, Europe and the UK, and appeared at leading international festivals including Take Root (Netherlands), Glasgow Americana (Scotland), Maverick Festival (UK), Kerrville Folk Festival (US), and Winnipeg Folk Festival (Canada). She has also toured as support for Grammy-nominated artists like Gretchen Peters, Steve Forbert and Albert Lee. 

Lynne Hanson will release her tenth studio album “Just A Poet” in Spring 2024.
 

Press Quotes

ICE CREAM IN NOVEMBER (April 2022)
"...a decidedly mesmerizing set of songs, one that finds Hanson casting a spell over the proceedings which, in turn, makes for a thoroughly captivating and compelling experience." - American Songwriter | full review

"The lyrics on this album are some of Hanson's very best and her vocals are strong and confident ... allied to a superb production ... possibly Lynne Hanson's best work." - 4 1/2 stars | Country Music People | full review

“Her albums have been consistently engaging and exquisitely crafted … Hanson bends her rich earthy voice perfectly to each stylistic challenge” - 4 stars | RnR Magazine (UK) | full review

"A glorious mash-up of Americana, folk, and the occasional indie production and song structure and sounds, made even better by Hanson’s trademark lyrical depth... her best work to-date... it’s a strong contender for album of the year.” - Amplify Music Magazine | full review

“A contemporary blend of both mainstream hip & retro musicality … Her voice potentiates popular music with modern sensitivity that’s effective & assertive … Lynne Hanson is that good an artist.” - Americana Highways | full review


JUST WORDS (February 2020)
“Just Words is an impeccable artistic creation. ... will sit alongside the finest country-Americana albums one will encounter in 2020” - Exclaim! Magazine | full review

"Every song is a gem of musical proficiency ... From the song writing through to the inspired playing to the gorgeous production, this is an album to cherish and treasure." Great Dark Wonder | full review
 
"Lynne Hanson is continuing to make a huge impression on the Americana music scene and her latest effort, ‘Just Words’, could just be the one to take her to the next level."  Maverick Magazine (UK) | full review

"Canadian Americana artist Lynne Hanson turns heartbreak into poetry with a rock backbone ... The album is a tour de force." Glide Magazine | full article

UNEVEN GROUND
"[Lynne Hanson] seems headed for that revered territory inhabited by seasoned songwriters such as Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary Gauthier or Lucinda Williams." Penguin Eggs | full review

"Another very fine album.  Uneven Ground has some of the singer's best songs.  Quality all the way"  4 1/2 stars | Country Music People (UK) | full review

"A stunningly beautiful piece of work"  9/10  Muziekwereld (NL) | full review

Lynne Hanson’s hardly a household name, but she boasts a catalog that makes her worthy of recognition. 84/100 | Elmore Magazine (USA) full review

"Her artistic maturity has reached its fullness"  Rootshighway (Italy) | full review

"An uncommon ability to interpret the roots of American sound by combining sensual blues with delicious country-folk numbers" Lonestar Time (Italy) | full review

RIVER OF SAND

"Somewhere in the heartlands, in a town called 'Americana USA,' nestles a particular variety of singer songwriter.   Someone who views a melodic sensibility through the bottom of a whiskey glass. Canadian songstress Lynne Hanson could run for mayor of that town."   Trevor Raggatt - R2 Magazine - 5 stars

 

 

Music Samples

Live video

for additional performance video visit Lynne Hanson's YouTube channel

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