hannah in the wars

Songwriter Hannah Curwood originates from the stark, remote region of Central Otago in New Zealand.  

Hannah’s previous releases, Sky Above, Horse Below (2007) and The Blind Love EP (2009) both received resounding critical acclaim, with tracks such as the murder ballad ‘It's Been Snowing All Winter’ showcasing Hannah's use of dark lyrics, twisted imagery and ethereal melody, earning her a place as one of New Zealand's celebrated alternative folk writers. 

Now based in London, Hannah in the Wars is a new project, the result of working alongside Roger O'Donnell of The Cure and a handpicked group of musicians.  The new songs are a collection of lyrically robust emotional narratives. Curwood’s distinctive and powerful vocals are accompanied by Telecaster, piano, synth, delicate string arrangements and the brooding pulse of an orchestral percussion. 

O'Donnell has supported the band by providing his country home studio as a recording base, and lending guidance with vocal performance, arrangements and his expertise in synth programming. 

The resulting 10 songs evoke the likes of P J Harvey, Anna Calvi, Sharon Van Etten, Laura Marling and Smog - delicacy entangled with intensity.  The album was mixed by Paul Corkett (The Cure, Nick Cave, Bjork) and will be released in New Zealand via O'Donnells 99X/10 label in April 2014.