Singer, songwriter Hana Pestle making all the right grooves

The greatest gift for music fans is uncovering treasure. Discovering that brilliant new artist no one else seems to have heard of yet. Recently, while doing an interview with Carly SmithsonCarly Smithson of We Are The Fallen, I had just such a moment of discovery. As Smithson and I talked about the debut of her band's album, Tear The World Down, Smithson mentioned the name Hana Pestle on a few occasions, so my audiophile curiosity got the better of me, and afterward I set out to hear Pestle's work as well.

I was pleasantly thrilled to discover a gem in this Montana based and Georgia born singer/songwriter. Her first full length release, This Way, was released on FNR Records in 2009, and is quietly garnering a solid fan base and critical acclaim.

This Way was produced by songwriter/guitarist, Ben MoodyBen Moody (EvanescenceEvanescence, We Are The Fallen) and Michael Herring. From the opening chords of "Never Learned To Lie" to the final the strains of "What Makes Things", the listener is taken on a journey of emotions and personal memories.

Pestle's lyrics combine with her emotive and ethereal vocal style to evoke soul stirring memories. Her songs, sway from brooding and moody, to inspiring and uplifting. The latter, less in tempo than in introspective freedom.

At 20-years-old, Pestle has a wisdom deeper than some of her more mature contemporaries. She brings this insight to her music and lyrical themes.

The album's second track, "Red Death Ball" pulls you into an atmospheric web of melody, playing Pestle's piano work against a haunting backdrop of strings, arranged and conducted by David Campbell. Moody lends his guitar and Marty O'Brien (Static-X, We Are The Fallen, Disturbed) fills the holes with solid punches from his bass.

The album's third track and single, "Need" is perhaps a perfect soundtrack piece for the "Twilight" movie series. So it's not surprising fans attempted to get the series to use the song.

The tempo picks up with "Rain", a track which brings a sigh and a smile like a perfectly timed spring shower.

Track by track the aural odyssey continues, with Pestle's voice leading the way like a minstrel vagabond traversing one emotion after another before leaving you drained but still craving.

Invest the time in discovering this treasure. You're sure to find new nuances and flavors in Pestle's sound and style for your ear.

Rating: 9.3/10

HanaPestle.com