Hannah Jean Wicklund is an American blues rock musician and singer-songwriter from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. To date, she has released two studio albums through her own record label, Strawberry Moon Records. She released her debut album Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones in 2018 and this was followed by her long-delayed sophomore album, The Prize, released in 2024. Both albums received critical praise from a variety of publications.
Hannah Wicklund | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hannah Jean Wicklund Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States |
| Genres | Blues rock |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Label | Strawberry Moon Records |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
editWicklund was born on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.[1] Her mother was an artist and her father painted houses and also played as a drummer in a local band. Her older brother,[2] Luke Mitchell, is also a musician and fronts a band called The High Divers.[3] Wicklund started playing piano aged three and guitar aged eight and formed her band, The Steppin Stones, aged nine.[4][5] Wicklund moved to Nashville in 2016 to further her music career.[6]
Career
editHannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones released "Bomb Through The Breeze" in 2017,[7] which was followed by the release of their debut album Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin’ Stones in 2018 on Wicklund's own record label, Strawberry Moon Records.[8] The album was produced by Sadler Vaden and received generally positive reviews. The song "Looking Glass" was likened to the music of Tom Petty and "Ghost" was likened to The Black Keys.[8][9] Gio Pilato from Bluebird Reviews praised Wicklund's vocals, saying "Wicklund delivers the full package about her ability as a singer and as a songwriter", and was positive about the band as a whole, "their power, intensity, passion and all their insane talent, right now, in the current music scene, is second to none".[10]
Her second album, The Prize, was released in 2024. It was completed in early 2020 and due to be released in March 2022 but, due to what was described as 'music business bureaucracy', it was delayed until 2024.[11] It was produced by Sam Kiszka and featured drumming from Danny Wagner, both of Greta Van Fleet.[12] In a mixed review for Kerrang!, Steve Beebee praised "Can't Get Enough" as 'gorgeously melodic' and said the final song, "Sun to Sun", 'keeps the listener on their toes' but was more critical of some of the songs in the middle of the album.[13] Ryan Dillon praised Wicklund's vocals on her second album and was complimentary on the diversity of genres throughout.[14] Casey Ryan Vock, writing for Seven Days, commented that the album has influences from Motown, classic rock and R&B singers and stated that the album 'marks a significant step forward' for her.[15] Callum Crumlish likened her 'unwavering feminine aggression' positively to Stevie Nicks and Alanis Morissette.[11] Wicklund plays both guitar and piano on the album. In a review in Powerplay, she was praised "[not] only is Hannah a truly stunning guitarist, but her piano work and vocals are quite simply breathtaking".[16]
In March 2024, Wicklund played a concert at The Troubadour and this was recorded and released as Live at the Troubadour the following year. It received critical praise.[17][18][19] Seay Howell praised the feminist themes in her music and lyrics and described her voice as 'powerhouse'.[18] Most of the songs on her live album are from her first two studio albums.[19]
Discography
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Hannah Wicklund is a Young Rockstar with a Veteran's Experience". WHRB. May 25, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Beltran, Kendra. "Witnessing the Prize with Hannah Wicklund". ZO Magazine. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Evans, Margaret (September 20, 2016). "Musical Siblings Bring Bands Home to Hilton Head". Lowcountry Weekly. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Life & Work with Hannah Wicklund". Nashville Voyager. January 20, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones". First Avenue. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hannah Wicklund and the Steppin Stones". Nashville Scene. January 17, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones release official music video for 'Bomb Through The Breeze' and upcoming album to be released January 26, 2018". Guitar Girl Magazine. November 10, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Ehrenclou, Martine (February 19, 2018). "Review: Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin' Stones". Rock & Blues Muse. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Francis, Pete (January 31, 2018). "Hannah Wicklund and the Steppin Stones Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Pilato, Gio (October 1, 2019). "Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin' Stones". Bluebird Reviews. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Crumlish, Callum (January 12, 2024). "Hannah Wicklund: 'I write what I experience, it's more fun and painful'". Daily Express. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Brophy, Stephen (January 28, 2024). "Review: Hannah Wicklund – The Prize". Rockposer. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Beebee, Steve (January 12, 2024). "Album review: Hannah Wicklund – The Prize". Kerrang!. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Dillon, Ryan (January 10, 2024). "Hannah Wicklund Executes Lofty Ideas Into Powerful Display On 'The Prize'". Glide Magazine. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ Vock, Casey Ryan (February 28, 2024). "Hannah Wicklund, 'The Prize'". Seven Days. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Hannah Wicklund". Music News Monthly. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Alahverdian, Michael (February 24, 2025). "Review: Hannah Wicklund's album 'Live at the Troubadour'". Rock at Night. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Howell, Seay. "Hannah Wicklund's 'Live at the Troubadour' is a Personal and Artistic Triumph". Off The Record Press. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Moore, Moe (March 4, 2025). "Hannah Wicklund: Live At The Troubadour Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
External links
edit- Official website
- Hannah Wicklund at AllMusic
- Hannah Wicklund discography at Discogs