Indie guitarist turns wired-up producer
Who?
An artist with the technical nous of a past master and the raw energy of a neophyte, Hannah Thurlow is a very special find. The London producer has previously worked as a commercial sound designer for high-end fashion brands such as Givenchy and Vivienne Westwood, while also spending the best part of the 2010s with indie alt-rock band 2:54. But in 2020, Thurlow set up a home studio as sanctuary from the pandemic, et voilà, just three years later, she’s become one to watch, and then some.
Why Hannah Thurlow?
Founding 2:54 in 2010 alongside her sister Colette, they released their self-titled debut album two years later. It earned them a contract with Bella Union plus studio time with PJ Harvey knobs man Rob Ellis and Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner, who they joined for an alternative ‘41 Strings’ recital at the Royal Festival Hall in 2014. But that period sits in juxtaposition with her newer productions, and Thurlow now harbours an obsession with Elektron drum machines and vintage Roland synths.
Tell Us More…
Released in November, Thurlow’s ‘Grip’ EP begins with the crisp and tactile ‘Plate’, which has a touch of latter-day Aphex Twin about it. Then come the warmer hues and denser textures of ‘Maybe’ and ‘Spin Change’, building to the crescendo of ‘Aspect’, the slightly anxious, skitterish broken beat of which is truly captiviating. Equipped with an ear for catchy sound design – something which she no doubt developed through her previous commercial work – Thurlow’s foray into compositional dance music has also led to her to establish the Hackney club night Eterna alongside resident DJ, Herberta. Look out for their future events to get a taste of what this exciting artist is all about.
‘Grip’ is out on Blue Cupid
