Henry Alanna

True Story: When Henry was 2, he used to wake up from naps, and instead of crying or fussing, he would quietly sing to himself until he was taken out of his crib. He often used music to keep himself company back then. Some say he still does that now. Writing is one of Henry’s top 3 favorite things to do. Their other top two are performing and laughing. Through their music classes in school, and from participating in choir and theater since childhood, they always felt happiest when singing with others. Even when he was alone, Henry always knew that music was the best tool he had to contextualize the world with. Growing up being called a “too-much” kid, they learned early on that the antidote to harm wasn’t peace, it was play. To this day, even their most yearning and tragic songs contain a playful nature because of this. His music has been compared to Joni Mitchell, Julien Baker, and The Weepies.

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An over-analyzer of media at heart, Henry’s music comes easiest to him when he is engaging with all the silly, beautiful, raw and heartfelt creations out there in the world, and he pulls some of his best inspirations from the artistic projects his loved ones make (both musical and otherwise). Henry also tends to find his muses in simple things, like doodles, participation trophies, dying houseplants, too-cold September rains, and most especially in all the little broken things that make life feel worth it. When they aren’t making music, Henry enjoys learning new things in books, lovingly bickering over board games with their wife, and never ever going to bed when they say they’re going to.

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Recurring themes in Henry’s music include identity, memory, and the stories we choose to tell ourselves when things are scary. When performing on stage, Henry wants his crowds to feel like neighbors instead of strangers. He provides his audiences with a safe place to cradle the soft parts of themselves, because sometimes you can’t soothe the ache in your heart alone. His music isn’t always quiet, but neither are the children that still live in all of us. ​

 

Henry currently resides on the north side of Chicago, where he wanders the concrete jungle, looking for people to share with him in the joys of musicking. He is looking forward to music in abundance this year, and is deeply grateful for all the musicians that brought him here, friends, foes, strangers and otherwise. Henry’s music is for the freaks and geeks, the lovers and fighters, and the make-it-alright-ers. It’s for anyone who lost themselves in childhood, and everyone who never grew up.