Hannay Rey shines in local music scene

• Hannah Rey

Two Harbors musician Hannah Rey has played all over the state but most enjoys the bars in Two Harbors. Submitted photo.

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Close to 400 Facebook fans, an interview on FirstPost.com and shows in Minneapolis are just the first marks of success for Hannah Rey, local singer/songwriter.

She’s had a regular gig at Little Angie’s Cantina in Duluth for years, will play at the Two Harbors Block Party again after her success last year, and later this month she will head down to the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis to open for SarahLou. Although she’s very excited about her success throughout the state, Rey says there’s still no place like home. “I like to keep it local. These are really my people.”

Hannah Rey has lived in Two Harbors most of her life and got her start in music at a young age.

“I had one of those kids’ guitars…and my parents bought me some VHS tapes that I rocked out to,” she said.

After spending her high school years participating in band, choir and variety shows, she started performing live in he rlate teens with the cover band Wildwood. She said they gave her a tambourine and a microphone at her first show and told her to do what she could.

“I was super timid about it,” she said.

Not anymore. After learning a thing or two, she gave up the cover band to take center stage and has been performing on her own since 2010.

“Being able to play my original songs and get a response is really rewarding,” she said.

Her favorite venues are bars, and she’s played Hugo’s in Brimson, The Landing in Two Harbors and R.T. Quinlan’s in Duluth.

“Bars are so low-key and people are just hanging out. I like being on the same level with them without a huge space between us,” she said.

She has a fan page on Facebook and videos on YouTube, but the best way to experience Hannah Rey is at her shows.

“The whole point is connecting with people,” she said.

Tags: arts and entertainment, hannah rey, two harbors, community, life