By Meriha Beaton, Staff Contributor
Vancouver-based musician Hannah Georgas performed for her East Coast fans last Wednesday at The Company House.
“The last three years I’ve just been like: screw everything else I’m just going to focus on my music,” says Georgas backstage, after her show.
And it’s paid off. In just two years the indie pop-rocker has gone from being the opening act for headlining musicians to having an opening act herself. Bursting onto the scene in 2008 with her EP The Beat Stuff, Georgas was still not ready to release a complete album. This April, however, she released her first full-length album This is Good, in which she was able to show the world her true style: a collection of many different musical genres.
“I only had the opportunity to make six songs, but now I have the chance to make a full record and show everyone what I’m all about,” says Georgas.
The songs in Georgas’ set were diverse. A number of them were upbeat, pop songs, like “Momma’s Boy,” a song about a bad relationship, and another called “Nervous Breakdown.” Georgas had the crowd bopping their heads to the heavy synthesized beats in the crowded bar.
Her set also included more personal songs involving heartbreak and family matters. One song was written after she got into a fight with her sister on a family vacation. Another was dedicated to her mother after the passing of Georgas’ father.
“I write from a very personal place,” says Georgas, “if anything is affecting me in any way I’m going to go back and try to work it out, it’s kind of a way for me to heal.”
Her eclectic style comes from growing up with a music-loving father who opened her up to different musicians, such as Elvis and Spike Jones. From a very young age he would play the piano for her, encouraging her to take lessons. Seeing how happy it made him, she immediately became immersed in the world of music.
“I also started listening to singer-songwriters, just people going out there and doing their thing,” says Georgas.
Originally from Ontario, Georgas moved to B.C. when she was 20, living in Victoria for 3 years and then moving to Vancouver.
“B.C. has definitely influenced my writing for sure, but it’s also where I am in my life and the experiences that I’ve gone through.”
The experiences and influences in Georgas’ life have contributed to her incredibly vast style. Over the past three years, the venue’s she has chosen for her Halifax performances have included The Seahorse, Toothy Moose, and this year at The Company House. Georgas makes it clear that she wants no limitations with her music.
“I don’t want to say that I want a specific crowd,” says Georgas, “Anybody can fucking listen to my music.”
And a lot more people will be listening to her music. Her album will be released in Germany in March 2011, and Georgas wants to spread her music throughout all of Europe and hopefully the U.S.
“I just want to keep focused and keep doing what I’m doing,” she says. “And work ten times harder.”
Recent Comments