Hannah Shira Naiman

Ken Prue presents Hannah Shira Naiman Thursday, July 5 at 7:00 PMtwo The Loft $25. + sc

Named “Traditional Singer of the Year” (2017) by the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Hannah Shira Naiman’s banjo-grounded songs transport us into the Appalachian mountains and eras back in time, drawing on her roots in Toronto’s ‘old time’ folk music community to share powerful tales of hope and loss. Her sound has been described as a cross between Gillian Welch and Sarah Harmer, Naiman crafts original songs that ring with influences of Ola Belle Reed, The Carter Family, American old-time, and traditional English ballads. Hannah grew up around folk music as her celebrated banjo-playing father, Arnie Naiman, and award-winning children’s musician mother, Kathy Reid-Naiman, brought her to numerous folk camps and festivals every year. But it wasn’t until she left home that Hannah began to explore her father’s instrument, the banjo, in a new way. I first heard Hannah Shira Naiman, on CBC' Radio's Sunday Edition with Michael Enright. When Michael said her music sounds as though it could have been written in the 1920s or '30s, Hannah said "Good! That's the era I love." Hannah's music is steeped in the ancient folkways of Appalachia — a genre she adopted from her parents, who are also professional musicians. She lives in North Bay, Ont., and went to CBC's Toronto studio to talk to Enright about her musical influences, the inspirations for her songs and her passion for square dance calling. She says modern-day hipsters are reviving the old-fashioned square dance. I loved the woman I heard in this interview and especially loved her music. I contacted Hannah the day after listening to her interview and booked her to play at The Loft on July 5 at 7:00 PM Tickets $20 + sc. Click here to hear Hannah's full interview and three songs from her newest album.