by Rustyn Rose @ AllVoices

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 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 Moody (Evanescence, 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.

Aftermath, along with about 50 other people, were focused on the talented Hana Pestle. In our two years at UH, we’ve never seen so many people so intently paying attention to a visiting artist before.

The heat and humidity got to Pestle’s body, but it didn’t touch her attitude; by the end of her 40-minute performance, she was sweaty and sunburned but still smiling and laughing.

Playing at colleges has been, as Pestle puts it, “a learning experience… but that’s the exciting part – winning over an audience and getting people to turn around and watch you.”

She definitely won us over. We walked outside of the University Center Satellite with a cup of coffee in hand and the intent to go eat off-campus, heard Pestle’s voice and immediately delayed our plans for lunch. We were hoping she would be a local artist, which is unfortunately not the case, but nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed the show.

- Read More at the Source!

Hana covered Incubus’ song Just a Phase and uploaded it to YouTube! You should probably post it all over the internet if you like it.

Thanks to Gabe for this show! Enjoy!

Come see her play March 18, 2010 at Ace’s Lounge!

New tour dates have been announced, which you can view here or at Hana’s MySpace!

Be sure to take advantage of Hana’s year end Holiday Sale at HanaMerch.com! All shirts are 30% off, and Hana’s album is available with FREE shipping to anywhere in the US. Get yours today for a friend, or a family member!

You can download Hana’s cover of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas on her merch store here. There’s nothing better than a little Hana to make the season bright!

Hana and Ben will both be playing a show together in Hana’s hometown of Billings, Montana on December 30, 2009 at YBC! Check it out if you’re in the area!