by Bonnie Collings
At only 16 years old, local singer-songwriter Jake Hanney is releasing his fourth self produced album, "End of the Road" on September 8.
Beginning his musical career with his first song "Loverbird", Jake has always been interested in making his own music.
"I've been writing music since I was eight, ever since I learnt the guitar I just wanted to write songs like the Beatles," Jake said. "I like that the music is mine, and that I can express my feelings through a song."
Jake undertakes every aspect of the album creation process on his own, from the writing of the lyrics and the music to the production of each song. Since his first self-produced album was released in 2019, Jake said his skills had improved greatly, making "End of the Road" his favourite album so far.
"Every single album I do, my skills on the computer improve, I know so much more and I can make the album sound so much better," Jake said.
"My favourite album is the one I've just released and my least favourite was my first one, because I didn't have the skills and I can hear all the faults!"
Jake said he and his dad's love for music by the Beatles and Paul McCartney encouraged him to get creative with the styling of his newest album.
"Dad and I are absolute Beatles and Paul McCartney fanatics," Jake said.
"I used to go to Dan Hamill performance coaching in Cremorne. It's a fair drive into the city, so each time we'd drive to my classes we'd listen to a Beatles album and then another on the drive back. By the time I turned 16 we started listening to all the Paul McCartney albums, I loved listening to them as a whole."
"End of the Road" has an overall indie folk-rock tone, emphasised by the guitar and piano melodies throughout the songs. Jake said he took inspiration from albums like "Ram," "Band on the Run," and "Help," to bring the indie and soft rock tunes into his new album.
"I started to write with more guitars instead of pianos, that's probably a big difference you'd be able to notice in this album," Jake said.
Jake has a keen interest in producing music, and is considering starting a production business to help other young musicians.
"I want to be a producer when I'm older, I love making all my songs," Jake said. "If I can't make a living off recording my songs, then a production company where I produce other people's songs sounds like a pretty good idea."
"End of the Road" will be available on all streaming services from September 8. Physical CD copies of the album and Jake's previous three albums are available to purchase from https://www.jakehanney.com. Jake's latest single "Blank Slate" and it's accompanying music video will be released a week or so prior to the album launch.