Fall likely caused singer/songwriter Jeff Hanson's death
By Ross Raihala
rraihala@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 06/08/2009 10:09:44 PM CDT


Jeff Hanson
St. Paul-based singer/songwriter Jeff Hanson died Friday in what his label calls "a terrible accident." He was 31.

Hanson most likely died from a fall onto the concrete floor of his new apartment, which he had just moved into days earlier, according to Portia Sabin, president of Hanson's label Kill Rock Stars. "His parents found him in his apartment," Sabin said. "It appears he fell and hit his head."

A native of Milwaukee, Hanson spent his teen years playing in the band M.I.J. He began his solo career in 2003 when he landed a record deal with Kill Rock Stars, an influential Olympia, Wash., label that has launched acts like Sleater-Kinney and Elliott Smith.

"Jeff was only one of two people we have ever signed from an unsolicited demo tape," Sabin said. "We get hundreds and hundreds of tapes, and for us to have been so captivated by him is pretty impressive. He was a terrific songwriter with beautiful melodies. The icing on the cake was his incredible voice. He didn't so much have a falsetto as he had a very feminine singing voice."

Kill Rock Stars released three of Hanson's records, which earned him acclaim across the country. A report on National Public Radio once said Hanson "has one of the most incredible and truly unique voices you'll ever hear ... but there is far more to Hanson's music than his beautiful singing."

Hanson spent the month of May touring the United States in support of his most recent disc, "Madam Owl," which hit stores last fall.

Sabin saw him at a tour stop in Portland, Ore.
"He was really excited and we were starting to talk about his fourth album," Sabin said. "He was a super fun guy, a really good person and a good friend. His overwhelming characteristic was that he was really funny and very much into sports. He could talk about the Green Bay Packers for hours."

St. Paul police were called to Hanson's apartment at 2341 University Ave. on Friday at 2:50 p.m., according to a police incident report. Hanson was found on the floor. There were no signs of foul play, but police are called to investigate all unattended deaths, said Sgt. Paul Schnell, police spokesman.

The Ramsey County medical examiner's office is conducting an autopsy, but "it can take many weeks" before the cause and manner of death is known, pending toxicology test results, Schnell said.

"Any speculation would be premature at this point," Schnell said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

good songwriter

i didn't even know he had an album out last year.

for those who don't know jeff's music, this song is absolutely perfect