Hannah Read

Biography

Hannah Read is a Scottish-born, award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and composer, acclaimed for her evocative fiddle playing and expressive vocals. Raised in Edinburgh and on the Isle of Eigg, she was immersed in Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene from a young age, influenced by a musical family and a close-knit community of folk musicians. Read began playing traditional Scottish music at age six, later honing her craft at The City of Edinburgh Music School, the American School of Modern Music in Paris, and the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston[2][5].

Her career bridges the Atlantic, with Read now based in Brooklyn, New York, and Northern California. She has released several solo albums, including the critically acclaimed 'Way Out I’ll Wander' (2018), praised for its seamless blend of British folk and American influences and described as 'deserving crossover status' by The Guardian[1][2]. Read is also known for her collaborative work, notably as a member of the British folk super-group Songs of Separation, which won 'Album of the Year' at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards[1][2]. Her music is characterized by intricate fiddle melodies, heartfelt songwriting, and a style that draws comparisons to Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell, and Feist[1][2].

Read’s legacy is marked by her versatility—equally at home improvising on fiddle, performing Appalachian old-time music, or delivering finely wrought original songs. She continues to tour internationally, lead her own ensembles, and collaborate with a diverse array of musicians, making her a respected figure in contemporary folk and roots music[4][6].

Fun Facts

• Hannah Read started playing fiddle at age six and grew up surrounded by music, with her mother playing cello and her sister also playing fiddle[5].
• She spent part of her childhood on the remote Isle of Eigg, which deeply influenced her musical sensibility and appreciation for simplicity[5].
• Read moved to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music, where she immersed herself in American fiddle styles[2][7].
• Her album 'Way Out I’ll Wander' was recorded in upstate New York and New Hampshire, capturing the feeling of home on both sides of the Atlantic[1].

Associated Acts

• Songs of Separation - fiddle

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Traditional Scottish musicians - Community musicians in Edinburgh and on the Isle of Eigg who shaped her early musical development (Traditional sessions and local performances) [Childhood through teens]

Key Collaborators

• Michael Starkey - Duo partner for fiddle and banjo duets (Cross the Rolling Water (2021)) [2019–present]
• Songs of Separation - Member of acclaimed British folk super-group (Songs of Separation (2016)) [2015–2017]
• Sarah Jarosz, Jefferson Hamer, Jeff Picker - Guest musicians on her solo album (Way Out I’ll Wander (2018)) [2018]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. My Love (My Love)
2. Warning Sign (Aperture)
3. Lose (Aperture)
4. Say It Now (Aperture)
5. What Is Going On? (What Is Going On?)
6. All My Time Is Wasted (All My Time Is Wasted)
7. Think Too Much (What Is Going On?)
8. What You Did (Aperture)
9. Admit It (Aperture)
10. Dreaming (Aperture)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz