Hannah Wicklund is Lightning 100’s Local Artist of the Week! Hannah Wicklund is a rock guitarist and singer-songwriter from South Carolina. Her first musical outing was at the front of Hannah Wicklund and The Steppin Stones, a musical group she formed at the age of eight. Outside of this group, she has found additional success both as a touring guitarist and solo act. Wicklund debuted her solo recording career in 2019, releasing two EPs and a single since then. Her style on both guitar and vocals leans heavily towards classic and hard rock.
The powerful performance behind “Ohio” makes it obvious that the song is emotionally charged, from both the way Wicklund plays lead guitar and conveys the lyrics. The song opens with lead guitar, playing alone until the rest of the band enters. Although the bass and drums intend to keep the song’s rhythm and time, the guitar engages in multiple complex solos throughout. These solos are often gritty and dissonant, with a complex sense of rhythm. Meanwhile, Wicklund’s vocals are raspy and powerful, and she sings on the lower end of her vocal range. The lyrics carry most of the song’s weight, recounting and relaying the events of the Kent State Shooting.
Hannah Wicklund released her cover of “Ohio” in 2020 to honor the 50th anniversary of the Kent State Shooting. The song was written by Neil Young as a direct reaction to the horrible event, and was first performed by supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Although Wicklund has yet to release any new music since “Ohio”, she will featured on a number of tours this spring and summer. Information regarding her touring schedule, which includes a show in Nashville, is available here. Otherwise, be sure to keep up to date with Hannah Wickland through her social media, as well as her website. Also, feel free to check out the official in-studio video for “Ohio” below!
Listen all week to hear “Ohio” as we feature Hannah Wicklund as our Local Artist of the Week! Listen live on-air at 100.1FM or at lightning100.com.
