Photo courtesy of WolfSkull Photography
A recent transplant to Minneapolis from the back roads of northern Wisconsin, Hanson's songs strike a chord somewhere deep in the hearts of all Midwestern-born travelers, teachers, and soul-seekers. Her sound is familiar, yet not overly derivative, from a timeless era of true classics. Rachel’s voice blends beauty with power, and floats over a musical landscape of air and stone.
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Born and raised in small town Wisconsin, Hanson’s story begins in Barron county, an area known to most as farm & cabin country among the lakes, swamps, tall pines, and rivers of the northern quarter of the state. Then in 2010, Hanson re-established roots in Stevens Point, Wisconsin while attending college. She was lead singer and guitarist for Back Alley Blossoms, an all female folk/bluegrass band, for the group’s lifespan of three years.
Setting off on a solo journey, Hanson spent the following year writing and recording her Self-Titled EP, released in the summer of 2015. A very introspective record on many counts, the EP was completed in a classic home recording space by friend and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Sachs.
After a brief move back home to Cumberland, Wisconsin, Rachel crossed the river to Minneapolis, Minnesota and began collaborating with a multitude of musicians in the local roots, folk, and bluegrass scenes.
She continued to tour regionally while working various jobs, until May 2018 found her good friends The Last Revel knocking on her door. Joining forces with The Last Revel, she has toured the country with them, performing original Folk/Americana music at festivals and stages including Telluride Bluegrass, Nashville’s AmericanaFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, Northwest String Summit, and more.