Hannah Thomas is breaking down barriers with genre-defying music that is anywhere from country to rock.
Her last CD, Goodbye on Wasted Time, contained seven songs. She now she moves in a new direction with a Kickstarter campaign for a follow-up.
The out and proud singer performed on tour with the Indigo Girls, appearing on song choices with the duo's Amy Ray. Thomas, a husky-voiced songstress, heads to Chicago this month.
Windy City Times: Hello, Hannah. Let's begin with your background.
Hannah Thomas: I am from right outside of Atlanta. I am have been writing, singing and playing since I was little. I didn't start doing this professionally until I was 16 years old. About two and a half years ago I started touring full time all over the United States.
WCT : How did you hook up with the Indigo Girls?
Hannah Thomas: We met through mutual friends. We were into each other then one day I was talking to Amy and she invited me to sing on some of her solo songs then I wound up doing Indigo stuff too. It was pretty much a dream come true. I have been listening to them my whole life.
WCT : Amy Ray is not only talented, but very nice.
Hannah Thomas: She's a genuine person. You couldn't ask for a better role model.
WCT : It works with her doing Indigo Girls music and then her own solo work when she has free time.
Hannah Thomas: It is totally different, too. I'm a big fan of the punk stuff. Her new country record is pretty awesome. I had the privilege of singing on that. She sang on my last studio record with "Pacifier." I sang on a song called "Hunter's Prayer" on her new album.
WCT : I read singer Shawn Mullins is a big fan of yours and saw him perform with the Indigo Girls. Do you know him through them?
Hannah Thomas: I did a TV show a couple of years back called the Georgia All Access Music Search. It is kind of like an American Idol for Georgia but with only original music. He was one of the judges on there. He's a great guy. I tend to run into him all the time. We have done some shows together. There is something about that Atlanta scene with a lot of genuine people. I would definitely put Amy, Emily and Shawn in that category. They are very talented good people.
WCT : The B-52s are from there, aren't they?
Hannah Thomas: Yes, they are from Athens.
WCT : Do you watch Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta?
Hannah Thomas: I have seen some of it. I don't watch a lot of TV but I know they filmed one of the episodes at a venue I played at once.
WCT : Your album Goodbye on Wasted Time came out two years ago and now you are working on a Kickstarter campaign?
Hannah Thomas: I just launched that yesterday. I have Don Dixon, who will produce. He produced the first couple of R.E.M. records, [and] he's worked with The Smithereens. He will play bass on it; he plays bass with Mary Chapin Carpenter. I've got a lot of good musicians coming in. We are going to try to make this different and really focus on the song. We really want to take a different approach. Since I haven't put out a new album for awhile I have a lot of new songs. I can't wait to get them out there to people.
WCT : I haven't heard The Smithereens since I saw them play live in Nashville in the '90s.
Hannah Thomas: They were famous for the jangle-pop sound, which is totally different than what I do. We have become pretty good friends. He's got the soul side of things taken care of. He really gets my sound. I can't wait. WCT : Sounds like you have friends in all the right places.
Hannah Thomas: [Chuckles] Well, I have been pretty lucky. I've met some really awesome people.
WCT : Your song "Sleep When I Die" is about living life to the fullest?
Hannah Thomas: Yep, that's an older one. That is one of my oldest songs and I wrote it at a time where I didn't even know what that meant. I think it paved the path of where my life was going to go soon in the future. It is where I am living right now.
WCT : What will the show at the Elbo Room be like? Will it be a long set?
Hannah Thomas: Let me just say it will be a long set but I am not sure. I have played there before and I loved the room. I love Chicago and can't wait to be back. I can't wait to have some of that pizza. I am going to walk because I need to burn the calories!
WCT : Is your hair darker than it was? Hannah Thomas: It is more natural. I used to highlight it.
WCT : I saw on Twitter you are a big Weeds fan.
Hannah Thomas: I am now. I am late to the party. When I have free time I have Netflix binges.
WCT : Doing so much gay press, do you identify as a lesbian?
Hannah Thomas: I do and I am cool with it.
WCT : We need girl bars to take you out to while in town.
Hannah Thomas: There is a place called Parlour?
WCT : Yes. Have you been there?
Hannah Thomas: I was supposed to. We had a date planned in Chicago but I wound up not being able to do the gig because I was opening for Terri Clark.
WCT : Well, this time hopefully you will have time to go out. I look forward to seeing you perform live.
Hannah Thomas: Thank you for taking time out to talk to
me today.
Thomas plays at the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., on March 30. Visit www.elboroomlive. com for ticket information with more on the singer/songwriter at www.HannahThomasBand.com .
