When she began recording her latest album, For Evelyn, Hannah Georgas wasn’t thinking much of the title for the new album.
But at the time, she was visiting her grandmother a lot. “My grandma is 98 years old,” Georgas said. “Reflecting upon her age and what she’s come across, who she’s been, and what kind of person she’s represented to me in my life, it just dawned on me to acknowledge her. She’s been a really positive force and inspiration in my life.”
Written entirely in Vancouver, For Evelyn is an album that is layered with catchy beats, Georgas’ melodic voice, and lyrics that resonate. As a singer-songwriter, Georgas’ sound matured and progressed naturally since her 2012 self-titled album. For Evelyn flows flawlessly from it’s opening track “Rideback,” to her closing track “City.” And although the album was written in Georgas’ Kitsilano apartment, the Ontario native moved back to Toronto to be closer to her family earlier this year.
In her song “City,” Georgas sings, “The city is over me/I can feel it/There’s nothing here for me, anymore.” Whether or not the song is about Vancouver, Georgas is always happy to call this city her home. “It is home to me. It’s a big chapter in my life. That’s where I got my start. I feel like I got a lot of support there. I was out West for 12 years and it inspired me a whole lot,” she said. “I found myself. I felt like the path was really clear out there and supportive in Vancouver. There are many things that I love about the city.”
One of the things Georgas loved about Vancouver was her neighbourhood, Kits. And she’s back this month to play Kits’ massive festival, Khatsahlano. “It’s a lot of fun. And since I’ve gone, its grown significantly,” Georgas told Daily Hive from Ann Arbour, Michigan. “It’s a really positive thing for Vancouver to have these things. It’s a great idea and there could be more of it. I love Kitsilano. It’s just a beautiful spot to have a party.”
Although she’s looking forward to her return, Georgas said that career wise, it doesn’t matter what city you’re in. “If you have the drive, the passion, and the work ethic to do things, I really don’t think it necessarily matters where you are. I do think the most important thing is to have that mentality, that work ethic, and most things will come to you.”
Hannah Georgas LP cover/For Evelyn
It is that work ethic that has lead to Georgas’ commercial success – including Juno Award nominations and her track “Millions” being featured on HBO’s Girls – over the past years. But when she’s not songwriting, Georgas can be found hiking or playing sports. And she might be slightly competitive. “I love sports. I had a couple of days off so I was back in Toronto. My friend and I got out our gloves and we played some baseball. She pitched me and I cranked her,” she said, laughing. “The ball hit her side, and she has a massive welt now.”
Georgas is looking forward to being back on the seawall, hiking, and eating Vancouver sushi. But from the sounds of it, there is no baseball planned here so far.
Hannah Georgas returns to her local stage, at Khatsahlano on July 9.
Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud media sponsor of Khatsahlano 2016
Follow Channels and Categories