by Matt FinkA veteran of the Australian music scene, having completed stints as a supporting guitarist and keyboard player for the Lucksmiths, the Simpletons, the Deerhunters, and Mick Thomas, singer/songwriter Darren Hanlon officially stepped out on his own in 1999. A charming and clever songwriter, drawing comparisons to Evan Dando and Billy Bragg, Hanlon wasted little time in establishing himself as a compelling songwriter with his observational wit and memorable pop hooks. Releasing his Early Days EP in 2000, he quickly gained notoriety within the Australian indie music scene (his album topping their independent charts) and began touring Europe and the United States shortly thereafter. In 2002, his full-length debut, Hello Stranger, a wonderful mix of folk-rock and quirky songwriting, was released to comparably favorable reviews.