Musicians musician Paddy Hanna is back with his first new music in two years, and naturally, it’s a larger than life affair with lush and ornate instrumentation surrounding Hanna’s trademark, vivid picture-book lyrics. With ‘New York Sidewalk’, Paddy Hanna asks is it really a tragedy if you can find the comedy in a situation?

“I rather optimistically believe that many of the mistakes or misadventures that happen in our lives can become great anecdotes down the line, a sense of humour can be a real balm in tough times. ‘New York Sidewalk’ is very simply about that  – moving on from the past with a wry grin. It’s about laying to bed past failures, leaping forward and seeing the love that’s all around you.” 

‘New York Sidewalk’ recalls Burt Bacharach, who Hanna has previously performed live with, impressing the veteran songwriter so much so that he is now a fully fledged fan of Hanna who has also gleamed praise from the likes of Fontaines D.C.

Perhaps buoyed by such praise and a newfound sense of self belief this new optimistic outlook on life is set to permeates Hanna’s forthcoming material.

“Everything about the new music I’m currently releasing is borne out of love – which is the first time I can truly say that. During the pandemic I got married and had a baby, this music was recorded while there was a baby in my wife’s belly. I am also very fortunate to have worked once more with Daniel Fox (Gilla Band), Daniel Fitzpatrick (Badhands), Ken “MoonMan” Mooney and of course Gugai from Strange Brew, all of whom I have the greatest affection for. So it’s just love on top of love on top of love. In other words, I’m a jammy bastard.”