Essentials… with Hannah Georgas

By Jason Schneider

Each week, Essentials allows Canadian musicians to share the things that have helped get through through the pandemic, and why they still can’t live without them.

Coming off her 2020 album All That Emotion, Vancouver-based indie-pop artist Hannah Georgas has just released the All That Emotion Versions EP, which reimagines five of the LP’s tracks through some notable collaborations.

Georgas originally had some high-profile production help in the studio for All That Emotion, working with The National’s Aaron Dessner who also released the album in the U.S. on his own Brassland label. That connection extended to The National’s vocalist Matt Berninger duetting with Georgas on Pray It Away, which appears again on the EP, but a new take on the track Easy features strings by Polaris Prize winner Owen Pallett. As well, Dreams gets remixed by rising U.S. indie rock auteur Bartees Strange, and That Emotion appears in a fresh form thanks to contributions from Kate Stables of U.K. band This Is The Kit and Graham Walsh of Canadian electro-rockers Holy Fuck.

It all further underscores how much Georgas has evolved since releasing her first independent EP in 2009. Her profile quickly rose from there after a couple of her songs were placed in prominent ad campaigns and television shows. It set the stage for her 2010 debut album This Is Good garnering two Juno nominations, and further releases landing Georgas opening slots with City & Colour and Sara Bareilles.

Her last time out on the road was actually as a member of The National’s touring line-up in 2019, and with All That Emotion having received rave reviews from nearly every major international music outlet, Georgas is eager to get back on stage on her own and perform the new material. For now though, the All That Emotion Versions EP will more than suffice in showing off still more dimensions of her seemingly endless capacity to craft original pop. It’s available now through Arts & Crafts.

Essential Album: Julie Doiron, Heart And Crime (Endearing, 2002)

I find myself often referencing the sound of Julie Doiron’s vocals on this album. I feel like she’s quietly talking/singing in my ear. It’s an album you want to listen to on a rainy Sunday afternoon or on a solo walk with headphones. There’s something really comforting and special about listening to the album on your own.

Essential Podcast: The Daily (The New York Times)

This is a great resource for current events and an easy way for me to digest the news. I try to listen to it most mornings. I can blaze through a bunch of them on long drives, too.

Essential TV: Six Feet Under (HBO, 2001-2005)

It’s hard to choose because there are just so many amazing TV shows out there. I chose Six Feet Under because I think it’s the “first favourite” TV series I devoured. I love the mix of drama and dark comedy, and that led me to other shows where you build a love/hate connection with all the characters.

Essential Movie: Reality Bites (1994)

I recently watched it again, and it reminded me of how much I love it. It’s cast so perfectly and some of my favourite actors are in it, specifically Janeane Garofalo. It’s really funny and it also pulls on your heartstrings. I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy-slash-drama. There are four or five movies I’ll quote out loud from time to time, and this is one of them.