Hannah Wicklund and Turning Jane Perform at Barrington Hall
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Hannah Wicklund and Turning Jane will take the stage at Barrington Hall on Saturday, bringing a night of rock 'n' roll, self-expression and empowerment as part of their independently produced tour, "Cowards, Kings & Queens of Hearts."
The duo is challenging traditional music industry practices by taking control of their careers, bringing live performances to smaller communities, and fostering human connection with the goal of inspiring creativity and individuality, Wicklund said.
Having toured since she was 16, the South Carolina native said most of her previous performances were concentrated in major markets.
Great Barrington was intentionally selected as a stop on the tour because it "fit perfectly" with the artists' efforts to bring their music to smaller communities, raise awareness of independent artists, and demonstrate alternatives to the traditional, corporate-driven music industry, she said.
The tour's name, "Cowards, Kings & Queens of Hearts," combines the titles of songs and albums from its two co-headlining acts: Wicklund's song "Cowards and Kings," from her album "War on Women, Calling All Good Men," and four-piece rock band Turning Jane's album "Queen of Hearts."
The two performers bring contrasting styles to the stage, with Turning Jane delivering a more traditional rock sound and Wicklund adding a psychedelic edge. These different rock styles add variety to the show while sharing a similar passion for music and a strong sense of artistic identity, Wicklund said.
"I'm wishing to create [an atmosphere that] is constantly inspirational, and hoping to have people walk away feeling like they want to go home and paint or write or learn guitar, any of the self-expression tools that I know and love," Wicklund said.
Creativity is a driving force of community and plays an important role in bringing people together, Wicklund said, emphasizing the importance of self-love and personal well-being in allowing individuals to show up in public spaces as more complete versions of themselves.
"And I think that that's where community truly can start to thrive again … If you can identify what you're passionate about as an individual, and then step out into the world, that's how you can start to find like-minded people," Wicklund said.
"That's where I think true community can take root and really grow — by knowing yourself and learning more about yourself through others, and that's the beauty of community."
Wicklund said her decision to pursue a more independent approach to touring stems from negative experiences within the music industry.
After spending nearly a decade working with major agencies and industry professionals, Wicklund said she uncovered alleged misconduct involving her former manager, attorney, and record label, including alleged conspiracy, censorship, and collusion.
Wicklund said she spent about nine months fighting to regain control of her music catalog and career. It wasn't until she found a female attorney outside the traditional music industry circles of New York, Nashville and Los Angeles that she was able to get her career and life back on track in February of this year.
"So, this tour is very much a celebration and basically a winner's lap of me getting to start from scratch as a free woman," she said.
Wicklund said she is embracing a new chapter focused on artistic freedom, independence, and encouraging other musicians, particularly women, to take control of their careers.
She hopes her experiences will encourage other artists, particularly women, to question traditional industry practices and recognize that they "can be the leaders of their own destiny and of their own careers."
Some of her most meaningful moments on tour come from meeting fans who share their own stories and artwork inspired by her music, she said.
Drawing from deeply personal experiences with abuse and adversity, her music resonates with listeners who have faced similar struggles, creating opportunities for connection.
These interactions have created a space for people to share difficult experiences, celebrate what they have overcome and find connection through music.
"I've been through a lot in my life and I've been pretty outspoken both in my lyricism and with my presence online about abuse. So, a lot of times my conversations are a safe place for people to celebrate what they've been able to overcome and share with me some of the harder things from their life," Wicklund said.
"I really take a lot of pride and place a lot of importance in my role of being a safe place, for women and men alike, to share things that aren't easy to share. I think that's what my music provides space for, and I'm really honored and happy to be a human that can also be a place for that as well in real life."
Tickets and more information here.
Tags: music, rock,
