Hannah Rose Platt

Hannah Rose Platt

Hannah Rose Platt is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Liverpool, now based in London, whose work sits in Americana and folk with a strong country influence. Her songs focus on narrative writing and character-led storytelling, with lyrics at the centre of her style and acoustic arrangements providing the musical setting.

Early life and development

She grows up in Liverpool and starts playing guitar at the age of five, teaching herself the instrument. Her musical background is shaped by her stepfather, who encourages her to listen widely and draw inspiration from his record collection.

Recordings and writing

Platt launches her debut EP in 2013, and the title track receives airplay on BBC Radio Merseyside, Wrecking Ball Radio and CMR Nashville. Her debut album, Portraits, is recorded in Nashville and released independently in the UK in 2015. The album is produced by Michael Bonagura of Baillie & the Boys, and features work from Mark Fain, Stuart Duncan and Jeff Taylor. Fain has played with Ricky Skaggs and Dolly Parton, Duncan with Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, The Nashville Bluegrass Band and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Taylor with The Time Jumpers and Elvis Costello.

Style and themes

Her songs use self-written stories about ordinary people and their lives, with subjects including luck, stoicism, loneliness, love, heartbreak and hope. The writing avoids clichés and often presents songs as if they are observing private moments in other people’s lives. Examples include 1954, which is written from the perspective of an elderly woman with dementia waiting for her husband, and Birthday Card, a mother’s letter to her daughter from prison.

Performance and band

Platt has played gigs in the UK and the USA and supports artists including Roddy Frame, Gina Villalobos, Lisa Redford, Jarrod Dickenson and David Ford. She performs with a five-piece band including Kate Robinson on fiddle, Ryan Trebilcock on double bass, Nicholas Smalley on drums, and Ryan Williams on electric guitar and mandolin. Robinson has also worked with Sam Smith, Elbow and The Shires.

Reception

Her music is described by commentators as having strong vocals, lyrical storytelling and an uplifting feel, with one reviewer comparing her to Emmylou Harris.