Every time I chat with Montreal artist Hanorah, we end up laughing like kids and then diving into some deep topics. So deep, in fact, that the juiciest bits are off the record. But that’s precisely why she’s one of my favourite people to chat with.
Painter, composer, writer, singer, activist—the list goes on. Hanorah embodies the term “renaissance woman.” Just being around her for a few moments can shift your vibe. And I’m not alone in feeling that way. On our way out of her eclectic and cozy apartment, my videographer summed it up perfectly: “Hanorah is magical.”
I was graciously invited to her creatively cluttered space to discuss her new music and her upcoming trip to LA. Surrounded by guitars, keyboards, and vivid paintings, Hanorah served herbal tea from a delicate China teapot and nibbled on homemade oatmeal cookies while her cat Ziggy sauntered in for a curious glance.
So, the last time I saw you was at your show at the Phi Centre.
“Yeah, that was a fun one. It was really cool.”
It was a great show. I really enjoyed it. And it was full of surprises too. You had special guests.
“I had surprises, special guests, impromptu call-ups onto the stage. Johnny Griffin from John Jacob Magistry was there, and Orin, Oscar, Luis—an incredible artist between Toronto, Montreal, and Brooklyn. We’ve been writing songs together this summer. Oscar Luis suggested I play one of our songs during the show.”
That was the song I’d never heard before.
“Blows my mind.”
Hanorah’s voice filled the apartment like the scent of freshly cut lilacs as she broke into song.
Yes! And then you had everyone sing along. ‘Happy Now.’ That was beautiful. I wish I’d recorded it.
“We’re recording it now. But it was super beautiful. I saw Johnny, I saw Oscar Luis, and I just felt like, ‘Johnny, are you here?’ And then he came up on stage. And then, ‘Hey, are you here, Oren?’ And he came up too. It was a beautiful moment. I didn’t plan it. I was going to play the song myself, but seeing them there, I knew it’d be much sweeter if we shared it together after the summer we had writing together.”
Wow, it was a real moment, that song. It was so spontaneous, but you pulled it off, luckily.
“Yeah, it did work. They’re incredibly talented songwriters, those two; lyrics, arranging, melody—everything. So we actually wrote that in this apartment.”
No way.
“On that piano. It’s the divorce piano that I got when my parents split up in 2004.”
It worked out.
“Yeah, you can’t even get new plugs for it anymore. That’s how out of date it is.”
As Hanorah recounted the genesis of the song, her eyes sparkled with memories.
“So, yeah, it’s been a fun summer writing new songs with different people. I’m always blown away by how generous folks are in these sessions, with the ideas they share. And the talent here in Montreal is astounding.”
And did you know Hanorah’s dad is a musician too? He was another surprise guest that night at the Phi Centre.
I had no idea that was your dad. So, he’s a drummer?
“He’s a drummer, but he loves guitars too. He’s been playing a lot of guitar lately. When I was at his place a few months ago, he showed me a new guitar he got. And I just said, ‘You should play at my show… and play on “Long Road”.'”
Did you practice?
“Well, what happened was, it had slipped my mind. Every few months, he would text me, ‘Am I still playing at your show?’ And I’d go, ‘Oh yeah, you’re still playing at the show.’ And then, a few days before, he came by, and we practiced the song. He was prepared, and then he became a rockstar. People were chanting his name.”
It was a different kind of show.
“And I had the secret the whole time, right? I had a secret that I was holding onto until the encore when I shared that new song, ‘Time Waits For No Woman.’ I announced to the audience that I have some postcards pre-marked to the parliament. So if anyone feels like writing a ceasefire and mailing it to JT, we’ve got a stack.”
If you’re following Hanorah on Instagram, that’s pretty much all she’s been talking about. Peace in the Middle East. And I’m with her on that one.
Hanorah’s passion for peace was palpable, and it resonated deeply with me. As she shared her journey and her music, I left her apartment feeling lighter and more hopeful than I had in months. And there’s more of the interview below for anyone curious to dive deeper into Hanorah’s world.
Hanorah plays at SXSW on March 13! Presented by POP Montreal. 
Interview and concert photo – Annette Aghazarian
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