Los Angeles-based Americana singer-songwriter Hannah Connolly recently released her long player, Shadowboxing. Many of the songs were written with Jordan Ruiz, who produced her 2020 debut album, From Where You Are.
Connolly explains, “I had a lot of lyrics piling up. In order to have some more time to write, I took off work for three days. I literally pretended like I was going into the studio, but it was actually the extra bedroom where my fiancé and I had recording equipment set up. We wrote almost three songs a day for a few days which was really fun. All of the sudden it was like, ‘Whoa, there’s so much coming out here.’”
After a few more sessions in the ensuing months, Connolly had over 30 tracks to choose from. Recording took place at Jon O’Brien’s studio in idyllic Idyllwild, California, with O’Brien and Eric Cannata as co-producers. Additional contributors included Ruiz and Ben Greenberg along with Dan Bailey and Adam Bradley Schreiber, who both played drums on the record, and Via Mardot on theremin and strings.
Talking about the location, Connolly says, “It’s a forest town outside of L.A. At the top of the mountain range that creates the valley in Palm Springs, the Joshua Tree area, there’s this little mountain town and it’s really sweet. There are big pine trees and log cabins and local restaurants — it feels like it’s untouched, almost. We were able to do so much with that group live, it felt really exciting because you can hear everything at once. And as you’re singing, it just feels like there’s a lot of energy in the room.”
Encompassing 10 tracks, entry points include “Reno,” a low-slung shimmering tune highlighted by Connolly’s ethereal, almost delicate, vocals. Deliciously alluring, it’s one of those distinctive voices that instantly draw listeners in because of its haunting quality.
According to Connolly, “Reno” is a quixotic sonnet to “the magnetic pull that you feel toward someone when you know it’s right.
Twangy guitars and a vibrant rhythmic flow infuse “Stuck In Place” with gleaming, folk-rock flavors as Connolly’s deluxe vocals give the lyrics timbres suggestive of Stevie Nicks.
Drenched in dark, dreamy country savors, the title track drifts and sways on melancholic surfaces. Trembling vibrato nuances suffuse Connolly’s vocals, permeating the lyrics with poignant hues. Whereas “Brothers In The Same Dream” rides a percolating rhythm, at once beguiling and softly aglow. Warm and gentle, Connolly parades the creamy side of voice on this track.
“Rushing By,” a personal favorite because of its slow, drifting sensation, ties the album off. A luscious, sighing aspect to Connolly’s voice douses the lyrics in exquisite textures.
At once gorgeously fashioned and oh-so irresistible, Shadowboxing is certainly one of the best albums of the year.
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Hannah Connolly Tour Dates
3/06 – Women of Americana Instagram Takeover
3/07 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rebel Lounge (support for Sam Outlaw)
3/08 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon (support for Sam Outlaw) [Album Release]
3/09 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Wayfarer (support for Sam Outlaw)
3/10 – San Diego, CA – The Holding Company (support for Sam Outlaw)
3/15 – San Diego, CA – Folk Arts Rare Records (w/ Abby Litman)
3/16 – Tehachapi, CA – Casa Con Tiki House Concert (w/ Abby Litman)
3/17 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar (w/ Abby Litman, Matthew Fowler)
3/20 – Half Moon Bay, CA – House Concert (w/ Abby Litman, Ella Harp)
3/21 – Olympia, WA – House Concert (w/ Abby Litman, Sprig of That)
3/22 – Portland, OR – Artichoke (w/ Abby Litman, Sprig of That)
3/24 – Seattle, WA – House Concert (w/ Abby Litman)
3/28 – Willits, CA – Shanachie Pub (w/ Abby Litman, Matthew Fowler)
3/29 – Atascadero, CA – Raconteur Room (w/ Abby Litman)
3/30 – Boulder Creek, CA – lille æske arthouse (w/ Abby Litman)
4/25 – Nashville, TN – The 5 Spot (American Roots Hoedown IX)
5/08 – Knoxville, TN – Blue Plate Special (WDVX) [12 pm]
5/9-12 – Black Mountain, NC – SERFA Conf (SE Region Folk Alliance)