Darren Hanlon is an Australian singer-songwriter from Gympie, Queensland. Prior to becoming a solo artist in 1999, Hanlon was a member of Lismore indie rock band The Simpletons, with whom he released four albums and several EPs prior to their 1997 split.[1] Hanlon also contributed backing guitar and keyboards for The Lucksmiths, The Dearhunters, and Mick Thomas. Hanlon describes his style of music as "urban folk,"[2] and has been described by Pitchfork as having "distinctive narrative vision" in his music.[3]
Darren Hanlon | |
|---|---|
 Darren Hanlon in March 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | June 16, 1973 |
| Origin | Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | Folk rock, folk pop, folk punk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Flippin Yeah Records, Candle Records Yep Roc Records (US) |
| Website | darrenhanlon |
Career
editHanlon has released five solo albums, four EPs, and nine singles on Candle Records and Flippin Yeah industries, as well as several compilation tracks. After the dissolution of Candle Records, he has started his own pseudo-label called Flippin Yeah Records in 2008.[4] He self-published his first 'zine in late 2017.[5]
Hanlon is known for his engagement with his audiences, through his down-to-earth storytelling at live gigs.[6] He has toured with the Weather Station, Michael Hurley, Billy Bragg, David Dondero, Tim Kasher, Violent Femmes, The Magnetic Fields, and Courtney Barnett. Barnett name-checked Hanlon as an early influence on her own writing.[7] Described as having "a certain brilliance",[8] Hanlon has also been praised as "a spectacular songwriter; able to create a whole scene from the sum of its subtleties and wit interspersed with poignant moments."[9]
Hanlon's song "Punk's not Dead" was voted in at number 45 in the 2002 Triple J Hottest 100 listener poll. His song "Happiness Is A Chemical" placed at number 68 in the 2006 poll.
In 2015 Hanlon released his fifth solo album, Where Did You Come From?[10] Songs were recorded in New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Nashville and Clarksdale, with an array of musicians he met along the way, from instrumentalists of popular music Spooner Oldham, David Hood, Howard Grimes, to unknown buskers and street musicians.[11]
Hanlon performs Christmas concerts in December of each year, and has done since 2005.[12] The shows, mostly held in churches and halls, routinely sell out each year.[13]
Discography
edit
Studio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Hello Stranger |
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| Little Chills |
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| Fingertips And Mountaintops |
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| I Will Love You At All |
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| Where Did You Come From? |
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| Life Tax |
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Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Pointing Ray Guns At Pagans |
|
EPs
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Early Days |
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| (Methods of Getting Rid of) Hiccups |
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| Christmas Songs |
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Zines
editTurning his creativity to the written word, Darren Hanlon planned to write a series of stories based on conversations he has with barbers. He self-published his first 11-page zine in late 2017 and is called the Cutting Remarks[5] series.
References
edit- ^ Gelagin, Shane. "The Simpletons story - the official version". Tripod.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Pilon, Denis (5 March 2017). "Darren Hanlon's Point". PopRockRecord. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Hogan, Marc. "Darren Hanlon: I Will Love You at All". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "FAQ's". Flippin Yeah Records. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Darren Hanlon - "Cutting Remarks" Vol 1 Zine". Flippin Yeah Records. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Fingertips & Mountaintops: triple j music reviews". Abc.net.au. 24 November 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ "Courtney Barnett". Pitchfork. October 2013.
- ^ "Pointing Ray Guns at Pagans". Mess+Noise: An Australian Music Magazine. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ Music Feeds (5 February 2015), Interview: Darren Hanlon On Accidentally Recording An Album, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 29 May 2018
- ^ Erik Jensen. "Darren Hanlon: on searching and songs from the south | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ Monica Tan. "Darren Hanlon – Where Did You Come From? Exclusive album stream | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- ^ "Darren Hanlon Announces Annual Christmas Tour Dates". theMusic. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Ainslie + Gorman Arts Centres » Darren Hanlon 2017 Christmas Tour – Canberra". Agac.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Captain quirk". Smh.com.au. 8 November 2002. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ "Sofa so good - Music - Entertainment". Theage.com.au. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
- ^ "New Compilation Album Released…Pointing Ray Guns At Pagans | Darren Hanlon". Darrenhanlon.com. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2018.