I see that Glen Hansard has passed away, and for someone who quotes musicians constantly, I’m embarrassed to admit I barely knew who he was. His name floated around the edges of my musical world, but I never stopped long enough to listen.
As usual, I started doing my research in preparation for a remembrance post — expecting to learn the basics about a musician I had somehow overlooked. Instead, I found myself shocked at just how good this guy was. Within minutes, I was wondering how I had missed him entirely.
The voice, the honesty, the emotional weight — it all hit at once. Then came the discoveries: his busking roots, his years with The Frames, the storytelling woven through every performance, and the quiet intensity that seemed to define him. I wasn’t a longtime fan, but suddenly I understood why so many people were.
There’s a strange ache in discovering an artist only after they’re gone. You feel the weight of everything you missed, paired with the gratitude of finally hearing them clearly. Glen Hansard left behind a body of work that deserves every bit of attention it gets, and I’m only now beginning to understand the depth of what he created.
I wish I had found him sooner. But I’m glad I found him now.
I enjoy travel, sports, music and anything else that jumps up at me for the moment, which is why I blog. There will be lots of travel posts, pictures and our videos as well as a smattering of sports and humor. I enjoy promoting Canada and am unabashedly a proud Albertan
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