Hanrahan playing a Freeing Lonesome Tune

When Michael Hanrahan takes to the stage Thursday night, he says, it won't be what you'd expect.
Hanrahan, formerly a member of the Irish Descendants, will have a CD release party for his second solo album, "Freeing Lonesome Tune," Thursday night at the Rock House.
Hanrahan says the album is a lot of things - some of it collaboration with singer/songwriter Andrew LeDrew, with an impressive list of special guests and much of it backed up with a full band - but it's definitely not traditional Irish music.
"It's a little bit different, it's more of an eclectic sound, more of a country-rock folk mixture, with a little bit of traditional in there," Hanrahan said. "Your average person would be surprised, a bit taken off guard, but people who are kind of following me, and my close friends and supporters, would kind of almost expect it and see where it's coming from."
This is Hanrahan's second solo album, following 2005's "Tie Me Down." He said he likes this kind of work better.
"I find writing more rewarding than playing at pubs," he said. "Playing at pubs, you're kind of just playing the hits people want to hear."

jmcleod@thetelegram.com