The South Carolina-born, East Nashville-based, 21-year-old fireball guitarist, vocalist and songwriter HANNAH WICKLUND formed her band Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones when she was just eight as a vehicle for Janis Joplin and Neil Young covers. But since 2008 they’ve grown-and-grown to be billed alongside heritage acts such as Jefferson Starship, Kansas and The Marshall Tucker Band.
And although Hannah’s flourishing riffs on her custom Tom Anderson guitar with orange amplification set the tone for the Steppin Stones presentations, it’s her vocal scope and fully developed songwriting skills that sets this band apart.
This year sees Hannah release the European edition of her self-titled album [2nd August 2019] prior to a 40-date European tour [UK dates below video]
The album’s producer, Sadler Vaden, who’s also guitarist with Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, says: “Once we started writing some songs, I saw that she had a real, raw talent. I was inspired to work with her by her love of classic rock music and blues. I wanted to honor that in making this album, but also add a little modern edge to it.”
The album kicks off with “Bomb Through the Breeze” with its hard kickin’ beat, plenty of growling stompage and some sexy chord progressions that wouldn’t have been out-of-place on Houses of the Holy. Yes, it’s that good!
“Ghost” has recently been issued via YouTube — it has a hepcat strut, lopsided riff and gravelly vocals that sound as if they were born in a smokehouse to be fed a diet of maple charcoals. The guitar gashes into the sound like an ice-cold sabre plunged into the heart of rhythm. This is impeccable.
The power ballad “Strawberry Moon” is pleasantly countrified with towering vocals and straightforward, yet stirring, guitars. And Hannah’s guitar solo is pinpoint accurate yet easy-elbowed.
And the intimate “Shadow Boxes” showcases a voice of bashed-rye moonshine and mink-oil.
If you’re looking for something that’s an alternative to Greta Van Fleet, but you’re still hankering for groovy, early Seventies blues-rock, give Hannah a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Link: https://www.facebook.com/hannahwicklundss/
Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stone join GORILLA RIOT for the Planet Rock “ROADSTARS” tour this Autumn. UK Dates below video.
UK LIVE DATES
Oct3 -Live Rooms, Chester
Oct4 – Rebellion, Manchester
Oct5 – The Flapper, Birmingham
Oct6 – Waterfront Studio, Norwich
Oct8 – Cluny, Newcastle
Oct9 – Lending Room, Leeds
Oct10 -Exchange, Bristol
Oct11 -02 Academy, Islington
RAW RAMP 