Hannah Thomas
Indie artist Hannah Thomas brings her own style of music to the roots-rock world. With a voice reminiscent of a young Bonnie Raitt, her grit and bravado draws comparisons to Melissa Etheridge while her southern-rock soul reminds one of Chris Robinson.
Born and raised in Covington, GA, music has always been a part of Thomas’ life. She started writing songs around the age of 7. “When I was younger my mom listened to Tina Turner and The Judds. My dad listened to bands like Van Halen and Black Sabbath. I also have a super cool uncle that turned me on to nineties alternative bands like Smashing Pumpkins. Like most elementary school kids, I was introduced to a lot of pop music” says Thomas.
In middle school, Thomas started spending a lot of time at the public library listening to albums and discovering new music—Indigo Girls, Patty Griffin, and Tori Amos to name a few. “All of these things and artists have definitely had an effect on my songwriting and the kind of writer I am today for sure.”
Only in her mid-twenties, Hannah has an impressive touring history having shared stages across the US with the likes of: Indigo Girls, Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge, Chely Wright, and Michelle Malone.
“I’ve definitely evolved as an artist. It’s crazy how much can change in just four years. When I recorded ‘Goodbye On Wasted Time’ I had just started to really tour for the first time. Being on the road and playing for new people every night taught me a lot about myself as a person and a performer.”
Performing live has been a major influence in Thomas’ writing process and has geared her towards what she wants to do next. “There are definitely some rockers on the new album, but also songs that show a different side of me where I dug in deep, stood back and just let the music drive me. I played a lot of electric guitar on the record, which is a new thing for me and I’m very excited about it” Thomas said in a recent interview.
“Fault Line” is the first single and title track off the new record that was released through PledgeMusic. “PledgeMusic is an awesome platform that allowed me to offer pre-orders for the new album, and also other goodies like house concerts, handwritten lyrics, signed set lists, and even one of my guitars."
The album was recorded in Birmingham, Alabama and produced by Lester Nuby III (St. Paul and The Broken Bones). Thomas's various influences can be heard throughout her new album, spanning the gap between Atlanta's eclectic roots rock revival and the soulful, classic rock sound of Muscle Shoals. Thomas is joined by an all-star band comprised of Brandon Bush on keys (Sugarland/Train), Sadler Vaden on guitar (Drivin N Cryin/Jason Isbell), Jimbo Hart on bass guitar (Jason Isbell) and Chad Gamble on drums (Jason Isbell). The LP includes a song co-written with Michelle Malone. Malone plays lead guitar on that single, alongside Gerry Hansen on drums (Chuck Leavell, Randall Bramblett, Shawn Mullins) and Michael C. Steel on bass (Randall Bramblett). The album also features guest vocals by Terri Clark and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls.
Hannah Thomas’s new album ‘Fault Line’ is available to purchase on: Amazon, GooglePlay, CDBaby & BandCamp. Check out: Hannah Thomas official, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.