Mick Hanna, Life
This EP could have come out at any point in the last 60 years, and it would stand as strong as it does. And probably anytime in the foreseeable future. Its unfortunate to think that there is a high chance that the majority of Sydney’s younger crowd may well overlook it – we just hope they don’t, as this is the kind of talent we should surely be nurturing.
Mick Hanna is an indie based artist from Sydney, we were lucky enough to have him visit us for an acoustic spot on eastside fm a while back. Our jaws hit the floor with his moving ballads, we had no idea what was in store with his forthcoming EP.
Life, the title track on the record, is a journey that nods at jazz, cabaret and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody in equal amounts. The dynamics, honesty and arrangement are nothing like we have heard from such a young local artist.
This is a hard review to write, as the rest of the EP moves from the frantic feel of Life and Am I Crazy, through some moving ballads that shows Mick just goes where the emotion of the song tackes him. Franticly delivered lyrics like “Im destined to die young and very famous”, “There will be no body to retrieve”, followed by humorous links to Michael Jackson and Oscar Awards, all gliding along to circus like big band sounds we are sure all come from this eclectic singers mind. Followed by moving ballads, one kicking off “Once you know me you’ll see, my rudeness is a sign of affection, I don’t express what I mean, just trying to live a dream, and I’ve wasted more than life, on something Ive known to be right, and its left me along tonight”.
Tracks All by Myself and Once You see Me You’ll See are now official favourites of ours, along side the likes of Simon and Garfunkel and Jeff Buckley. Did we mention we just LOVE this ep.
This isn’t a band wagon to jump on, this is an artist you can tell your grand kids you were there for the first CD . Come watch him this Tuesday the (3/8/2010) at Cafe Lounge with the beautiful Sez Martyn supporting. If you cant make that there will be the live stream, as well as spots at the Raval and 505 the following weeks after. Check the mysace.
www.myspace.com/mickhannamusic