We caught up with Paddy Hanna following the release of his second single ‘Underprotected’.
Dublin singer/songwriter Paddy Hanna is the frontman of Grand Pocket Orchestra, but these days you’ll most likely find him and his guitar in venues across Dublin.
Following a support slot with fellow Dubliners Girl Band, Paddy has released his second single ‘Underprotected’.
With two solo single releases complete, we caught up with Paddy to find out more about his musical influences, song writing and live sets.
For those who haven’t heard your music, how would you best describe it?
I often worry that because my first name is Paddy some might think I play traditional Irish music, which I don’t. So I would say it is not traditional Irish music.
Did you find growing up in a musically passionate city helped formulate your music in any way?
Probably not, I was (and still am for the most part) a fairly introverted chap who rarely left his bedroom as a boy. I have a great love for Dublin and feel there is romance and poetry around every corner, but only discovered that when I could legally drink.
How do you find it transitioning between a full band to solo sets?
I used to envy musicians who could walk into a venue with nothing more than a guitar and create magic, it seemed so hassle free to me. Performing under my own name means going between full band and solo shows, so I get to posture like a rock person one night and enjoy the ease of playing solo, though whether I create magic is entirely subjective
Which artists/bands do you cite as your strongest influences?
I always credit my dad with laying musical seeds as a lad, filling our house with classical and world music. I didn’t quite realise the effect that had until I started writing songs. As for more direct influences I tend to go for anyone who oozes passion, weather its Tom Waits, the replacements, Karen Dalton, Frank Sinatra (circa Watertown), Tiny Tim, Elizabeth Cotten, Paul Williams, Curtis Mayfield. Those are just off the top of my head, I’m not very good at thinking up influences on the spot.
How do you go about the songwriting process?
I use my patented “smashed tea-cup method”, where the hook, verse, bridge and lyrics are all written at random intervals then reassembled to form a song. It’s a product of dyslexia that can be very frustrating, but it can often be very effective. I don’t usually write a song from beginning to end in one sitting, when I do it’s usually cause for celebration.
In terms of your live shows, what can we expect from your set?
A performance full of moxie, once I get round to dressing with any degree of style and can afford to have someone do lights, thats when I bring the moxie up a peg.
What are your plans for 2016?
To continue banging on the doors of acceptance ’til Im finally let in.
Anything else you wish to add?
My godfather is named Davey