Too tough for folk and too blues-influenced for country, 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 earned her the nickname “Canada’s Queen of Americana.” While her deep, bluesy croon has drawn comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, it’s the poetry of her lyrics that truly sets her apart.
The prolific songwriter has released nine studio albums along with two books of poetry over her 18-year solo career. She has 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.