Lynne Hanson at Old Church Theatre

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. 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. Her sense of humour and spontaneity as a storyteller is likely honed from years of competing with eight older siblings for attention at the dinner table. And speaking of tables, don’t be surprised if she hops up on one at a concert to play unplugged for a song or two! The prolific songwriter has released eight studio albums along with two books of poetry over her 16-year solo career.