I knew back in May 2024 when I first got to photograph Hannah Wicklund in Dublin’s Grand Social that it wouldn’t be the last I’d hear of her. Lo and behold, her name is popping back up on my radar again. This time with an epic Live album recorded in the legendary Troubadour in Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood.
Probably couldn’t be a better place for Hannah to create this beautifully sounding record than in a building that holds so much history. The Troubadour is the venue of all venues. Opening first in 1957, it has opened its doors to way too many legends. Starting with David Crosby’s band The Byrds, to Nina Simone, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison even recorded his live album here too “It’s Too Late to Stop Now…” And sadly it was here were Janis Joplin lost her life due to an overdose, at the age of 27.
Coincidently, during the recording of Hannah Wicklund’s Live album ‘Live At the Troubadour’, she too had just turned 27! It seems quite fitting the age in which she turned during this session. Almost has a head nod to the greats that came before her and a promise to keep the spirit alive and to keep the torch burning. The 27 Club (as it’s known) has taken too many lives such as Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Curt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and many more.
Previously working with Greta Van Fleets bassist Sam Kiszka whilst recording albums such as The Prize, and touring along side GVF has helped put Hannah even more on that Classic Rock map. I had the chance to photograph GVF too back in 2023 in the 3Arena, and what a show that was. GVF have taken the world by the balls and threw us all back to the past were music once meant more than just a few streams on Spotify, so its amazing to hear that, not only is Hannah in a romantic relationship with Kiska, but he’s also adding that extra bit of nostalgia with the help on Hannah’s studio work.
Live at the Troubadour captures a beautiful set along with some special moments between Hannah and her fans and when listening with headphones on, you can almost project yourself there in the room as the sound is immaculate with perfectly captured cheers from the crowd and just a brilliant spacial audio effect.
Hannah’s song writing is nothing to poke fun at and it certainly hits home. You just know exactly what she is trying to do in her work. Songs like Hide and Seek gets you grooving along with that bass line and her voice could be a beautiful accompaniment to any song that Steve Tyler has written. And don’t get me started on those guitar skills. The one thing I was excited about whilst making my way to the Grand Social at the start of 2024 is that I knew I was about to witness some serious shredding. And you can feel it all on this album. You can never beat a self indulgent guitar solo and Hannah always takes her moments to show what she can really do. And we love it.
Speaking of Solo’s, get a load of that Talk box solo on the song Witness. I got to see this performed live and my cheeks hurt after from smiling so hard. When do you ever get to see some one using a talk box these days ? For those reading and don’t know what a TalkBox is, let me switch to my wiki mode… A talk box is an effects unit that allows musicians to modify the sound of a musical instrument by shaping the frequency content of the sound and to apply speech sounds (in the same way as singing) onto the sounds of the instrument. Basically… when she is hitting a note on the guitar, there is a tube going from her mouth, into the guitar, and when she talks into the tube whilst hitting a note, she can then make the guitar almost speak in human form? You gota google it and watch her doing it to understand… its absolutely incredible and not something much guitarist use these days. Similar to the Wah-Wah peddle, I want to hear more of these effects used nowadays, and not to let them die with the 60’s.
Live at the Troubadour is an album I would actually stick on whilst driving around the city and enjoy every moment of it. It’s a nice and easy listen and there is noting on it that will offend you. Normally you find yourself skipping certain songs on an album, but not this one. You can listen all the way though and just enjoy the good vibes and the beautiful voice from Hannah.
Live At The Troubadour is out March 7th and for those of you who still appreciate some classic rock vibes, the perfect combination of rock and roll with some girl power, and stunning musicianship, well then go get your hands and both a ticket to see Hannah in your city and also her stunning live album from the Troubadour in Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood.
7 out of 10 for a brilliant set ‘Live At The Troubadour’
Reviewer Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography