Hannah Geller: Blending Rock and Soul in San Diego’s Music Scene

Hannah Geller is an electrifying force in San Diego’s music scene, crafting a sound that merges rock, soul, and psychedelic influences. Originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, she moved to San Diego in 2020 to study music composition at San Diego State University (SDSU). Now 23, she has been immersed in music for most of her life, shaping a career that balances both the sound of her solo artistry and being the front woman for the hard-hitting rock band, Silver Bullet. 

Rockin’ from the Start

Hannah’s musical journey began at age seven when she began performing in musicals, but she quickly realized her passion lay beyond theater. At eleven, she joined her first rock band, VIP, through Appleton Rock School, where she became the lead singer. 

By age thirteen she had started posting covers on Instagram, and ended up amassing over 200,000 followers in a short time frame. Hannah’s videos were racking up hundreds of thousands of views, with several even hitting the 10-million mark. Despite this success, she stepped away from cover songs after two years, feeling the need to develop her own artistic identity.

In 2019 she discovered Tame Impala, whose layered, psychedelic sound reshaped her musical direction. Inspired to create her own compositions, she started writing and recording music that blended rock subgenres, from blues and funk to surf rock and psychedelic influences. 

Building a Band & Finding Her Sound

By her junior year of college, Hannah was determined to bring her music to the stage. She formed a band, taking full control of the creative process—writing, arranging, and recording every instrumental part herself: “I write all the parts, record all the instruments and play everything, and then just hand everyone their part.” Her personal band continues to be a reflection of her musical identity and creativity, as each piece is entirely her own creation. 

Despite her passion for having a band she calls entirely her own, she craved an opportunity to focus purely on performing as a vocalist. In late 2023, she joined Silver Bullet, a high-energy rock band inspired by Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. She had met the band’s guitarist, John Kelly, through the Aztec Music Group at SDSU. After a jam session, it was clear they had chemistry, and she quickly became the group’s frontwoman. Silver Bullet allowed her to embrace a raw, powerhouse vocal style without the added responsibility of playing guitar: “I wanted to be able to move around on stage and dance and just be a rockstar and Silver Bullet lets me do that.” 

Hannah’s Songwriting Process

Hannah’s songwriting is almost entirely music-driven. She starts with a guitar riff, then layers bass and drums before adding other elements. Lyrics come last, a step she finds the most challenging: “My process usually begins with writing the music and then the lyrics.”

She records all her vocals in her walk-in closet, layering instruments herself before sending tracks to her mixer, Bryce Miller, for final touches. Her solo music explores a range of rock subgenres, while her latest track, 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, leans into R&B and soul. One of her professors once compared her versatility to that of Radiohead, a compliment she holds close.

Upcoming Shows 

Hannah is gearing up for two major performances:

• March 7th at The Holding Company – This show will be special, as it marks her first performance with her solo band in a year. She also plans to release a new single on the same day.
• Music Matters Benefit Concert on March 15th 

Her connection with The Music Company (TMC) began when Silver Bullet was invited to film a Beach Break Session. Instantly drawn to the space and its creative energy, she sought out a job there after graduating. Now, she continues to be involved both as an artist and a team member. 

Future Rooted in Passion

Whether she’s leading Silver Bullet with roaring vocals or crafting intricate, multi-layered compositions for her solo work, Hannah Geller is defining her own path in the music industry. She is a rock star through and through, and a force to see on stage. She’s one to watch, and we can’t wait to see what she does next. 

Follow Hannah’s Instagram

Buy tickets for upcoming shows: Holding Company March 7th , Music Matters Benefit Concert March 15th