Hannah OReilly profile picture

Hannah OReilly

About Me

Buy my new album 'STILETTO' can be bought here

Also check out my previous EP 'Stand & See' -
Check out my vid -
“She’s got lungs…”
You could call it the beautiful meanderings of an impassioned Piscean… or a sneak-peak into the transient headspace of a restless musician… or you could just call it the music of Hannah O’Reilly. All would be somewhat correct.
Hannah O’Reilly has been amid the sweat and catharsis that is song-writing for 11 years now. Creating everything from acapella blues to prostitute-killing murder ballads, from love and hate songs to contemptuous ramblings, and everything in between – all with the necessary amount of self-deprecation to pull it off without seeming like a twat.
With some of Edinburgh’s most murderously fabulous vocals, Hannah can make even the most treacherous of topics sound as sweet as apple pie. At first glance, it is just beautiful music (albeit dripping with attitude), and then it reveals itself to you from under the luscious melodies and you catch a glimpse of the traumas that lie beneath. There is sarcasm and cynicism around every corner, even in the most delicate of love song… and more often than not there are many layers of meaning lying mostly undiscovered beneath the obvious. Hannah digs mind games, y’see.
For the most part, Hannah is happy to just entertain the masses, fore despite the sturdy inclination toward the black & blue of life she is content being able to make people smile. She has Hawksley Workman’s lyric ‘the darkness defines where the light is’ tattooed on her forearm as a talisman, and firmly believes that being aware of the darkness doesn’t mean you have to be a miserable old cunt all the time. There is room for joy, even amongst the darkest of days. If you disagree with her on this, she welcomes you to come to one of her gigs where she will make you laugh and cry and maybe even snort a little. And if her songs don’t work, five minutes of her inane grin or a cheeky ‘motorboat’ should do the trick.
“I have cigarettes, paper bills, and a desire to feel” – Hannah O’Reilly 2009.
From a living as a publicist for rock bands in NZ, kissing arse and taking photos, to life as a musician in the UK (taking arse and kissing photos), Hannah threw off the shackles of the PR business and hit Edinburgh in 2003 to start the evolution.
Hannah became the Edinburgh Acoustic Idol two years running in 2004 & 2005 and played the obligatory festival outings – the Ross Bandstand, the Meadows Festival, and of course some perilous 1am busking in the Cowgate too. The highlight was playing the Asda car park trolley-bay in 2005 – a gig which was almost cut short by Hannah’s penchant for swearing like a trooper, despite the presence of children. Hannah was taught to say ‘Fuck Off’ at the tender age of 4… by her mother. Grin.
Hannah has a band - the wonderful 'AUGUSTALIA' - with Steve Galbraith on drums & Adrian Michalski on lead guitar... and when Hannah isn't doing her solo acoustic thing, you'll find her rocking her songs up with Augustalia.
There are two chewy album offerings planned for 2009 – ‘Stiletto’ – the result of the February Album Writing Month, 14 songs in 28 days; all written, produced and performed by Hannah O’Reilly. Release date – May 2009.
‘Of a Lesser God’ – the cheeky EP – Hannah’s most debauched tunes all bundled up into a juicy wee album for you to salivate and/or cum all over. Release date – August 2009.
Predicted 2010 releases -
'You’re a good man, despite what the graffiti says' – LP – a diverse collection of songs about the men that have changed her life.
‘Six Percent’ – LP – chronicling the breakdown of Hannah’s marriage, the aftermath, the self-destruction, and the rebuilding of a life she no longer cared much for - poignant and disturbing in equal measure.
'The Elemental Angel' - LP - the long-awaited 'first album'. This was originally supposed to be released in 2005, however after what some would call a breakdown, this was put on hold - but one day it will see the light!!
"What a stunning voice... really unique and hits you between the eyes" - Eddie Raynor (Split Enz)
Discography
‘Stand & See’ (the wee summer album) – August 2006 (EP) This is available for £5 from www.hannahoreilly.com
'The Eve Sessions I' - June 2004 (EP) Streaming singles from this album are also available on http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=11668 This EP has had extensive airplay in Wellington New Zealand on Beach FM in 2005.
'Out of the Ten' - September 2003 (LP) Streaming singles from this album are available on http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=11668
Check out my first podcast!
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Click here to get your own player.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 13/05/2006
Band Website: http://www.hannahoreilly.com
Band Members: Hannah's band is called AUGUSTALIA - they are Adrian Michalski on lead guitar, and Steve Galbraith on drums.Band website - www.myspace.com/augustalia
Influences: Amanda Palmer, Hawksley Workman, Nina Simone, Blondie, Portishead, and Sarah McLachlan
Record Label: Audrey Music Group
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

amanda fucking palmer speaks the truth...

you coulda called me an armchair blogger recently... i've been sitting comfortably, not doing much!  i've been writing my shit poetry, and updating my facebook status entirely too often for most peopl...
Posted by on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:16:00 GMT

Introducing my new band - Augustalia

Many names were bandied about, and we thought we had settled on Hannah & The Hoors& but as we grew together and discovered what our sound was, it was clear that such a name didnt quite suit.  And t...
Posted by on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Check out this event: 'of a lesser god' EP release - Hannah O'Reilly

Hosted By:Hannah OReillyWhen:06 August 2009Where:Henry's Cellar BarMorrison StreetEdinburghEHDescription:'of a lesser god' EP release from Hannah O'Reilly - 8pm 6th Aug, Henry's Cellar Bar, Morrison S...
Posted by on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:23:00 GMT

50/90 + Headlining @ Acoustic Edinburgh!

The 50/90 challenge has begun once more!  To write 50 songs in 90 days - check it out at FAWM.ORG.  My first track has been posted to my myspace - 'Nowhere to fall' - check it out!I am headlining Acou...
Posted by on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:14:00 GMT

Gigs galore... and more albums coming...

I've not had this many gigs lined up since 2004... so am feeling slightly overwhelmed but very excited.CD sales of my album 'Stiletto' are going well, and I am in the throws of recording the wee EP 'o...
Posted by on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:10:00 GMT

New press blurb and gigtastic...

So, you've probably noticed how many gigs are piling up this year... am totally stoked, not only at the prospect of playing so much, but at the quality gigs they will be and at what awesome venues!  I...
Posted by on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:28:00 GMT

Thank yous, and things that mean stuff...

It's 1.30am... the end of the first AMG gig at Henry's... a good one... I hope.Not that I would have noticed even if a meteor had crashed into the building.My piscean sensibilities were shaken and ent...
Posted by on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:38:00 GMT

Check out this event: Audrey Music Group presents... Hannah O'Reilly, Susanna Macdonald, Machar Granite, & Peter Rowan

Hosted By:Hannah OReillyWhen:Thursday, February 26, 2009Where:Henry's Cellar BarMorrison StreetEdinburghEH1Description:Hannah O'Reilly, Susanna Macdonald, Machar Granite, & Peter Michael Rowan @ Henry...
Posted by on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Bless the herbal tea...

So, I just played one of my favourite gigs in a long while... at Playback at the Voodoo Rooms.  My flatmate had bought this herbal tea from Peckham's called 'Teapig'... and gave me some before the gig...
Posted by on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Honestly? Here's how it is...

Alone. In pain. Incapacitated. Grief. Loss. Vampires.These words have dominated my recent memories... the past few months have been tumultuous to say the least. There is no way to describe things exac...
Posted by on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:25:00 GMT