TSH: Having penned your most recent self-titled album quite a while ago, as time has passed how would you assess this particular body of work which seems to keep getting discovered and has lead to so many kind words…
Hannah: It does feel like it has had some legs and that people are continuing to discover it. I'm really thankful that it has had great opportunities and a positive response.
TSH: Whilst crafting the album how central was it to be content with the production, and the way the songs evolved?
Hannah: The production process is extremely important to me and one of my favourite aspects about making music. It's an incredible time when that process is taking shape. Finding a direction and proceeding with it is exciting and thrilling. It's around that time that I'm the most inspired about music.
TSH: A portion of this record was completed in a cabin on British Columbia’s Salt Spring Island and you’ve stated ‘You can get so much done when you don’t have cellphone reception or the Internet’. What was it like to have such a clear mindset whilst in BC?
Hannah: That opportunity definitely jump-started my writing process for the record. It was great to get away and clear my head. Salt Spring is absolutely beautiful! It's the perfect spot if you're looking for a quiet place to relax and feel secluded. I highly recommend it!
TSH: The record itself is quite personal and also a little dark – how do you feel you managed to implement the feature of ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’, in addition to the album’s more serious tones?
Hannah: My writing style tends to lend itself to that kind of tone. I like finding hope in sadness and vice versa. I find inspiration in my sadness quite a bit but I know that I'm not always about it. I'm a fairly positive individual as well and so I like that to come out a bit in the music I make.
TSH: Producer Graham Walsh was on hand and the textural landscapes that he creates with his music are quite formidable. Tell us about the time spent with Graham and how vital that was in shaping the album?
Hannah: Graham and I hung out together for just over two weeks jamming, experimenting and trying to find a natural and mutual direction for the songs. I think that was an extremely important piece for us in the recording process. We really got a feel for each other's influences and found a common ground as to where the songs wanted to go. I would play my songs on guitar and Graham had his set up (synths, drum machine, bass, etc..) and would play along.
TSH: Tell us about the collection of songs that were posted your wall during the making of the record?
Hannah: Every time I finished writing a song I would write the song title on a sheet of paper and post it on my bedroom wall. By the time I was done with my writing, I had 12 or so songs pasted on my wall. It was an interesting way to visualize common themes, similarities, cohesion, differences, tones as well as track order amongst the collection of songs I accumulated.
TSH: Let’s talk about some of the material on the album. Firstly, the commonly lauded ‘Robotic’ during which you mention ‘I wanna be reprogrammed. I wanna be robotic. No more blood in these veins. I wanna press reset.’ How did you arrive at this idea of just wanting to press a switch and no longer feel sensitive towards aspects of life?
Hannah: I have moments when I find myself wishing that I wasn't so sensitive or emotionally connected to conflicts that arise in my life. I wish I could just brush things off and not feel hurt. I thought about how great it would be to have a switch to turn off that part of my brain whenever issues arose. Being a robot or a tree or a flower or some shit like that.
TSH: Also ‘Elephant’ is such a refined and well-produced song. Tell us how the song itself lead to you finding clarity…
Hannah: I wrote 'Elephant' while feeling pensive and upset one day. At the time my sister had called me to catch up. She told me to write a song about how I was feeling. I was a little peeved at her for suggesting that and then I actually took her advice. 'Elephant' is reflective and me checking in myself.
TSH: Moreover, the brilliant song ‘Enemies’ is accompanied by a touching and beautiful video. What can you tell us about the concept of the video with respected actor John Ennis spending days alone with his dog hoping to beat the odds?
Hannah: The director John Ford approached me with this concept and I felt like it would be an interesting depiction of the track. I thought John's direction would complement the tone and feeling of 'Enemies' really well. I wanted the viewer to have an emotional reaction to it.
TSH: As the years have passed what are your thoughts on the development of your live shows?
Hannah: I'm growing as a performer and I'm always thinking of ways I can make my show more interesting and exciting to be part of. I'm constantly striving to be a better performer. I want my audience to walk away feeling inspired and feel like they connected with me in some way. I also want the honesty in the music and my personality to come out as well. Playing live has always been an interesting challenge for me. They can be very rewarding at times and there are also times when I have felt extremely vulnerable. I guess that's why I'm always trying to improve.
TSH: Now, traveling can sometimes wear you out, but it pays off because you get to play music all the time. How do you deal with mundane elements of touring?
Hannah: I try to stay as healthy as I can. Eat well and take care of myself. Keep my team in good spirits and find people that enjoy being on the road and enjoy playing my music! It's important to laugh a lot too.
TSH: How does your much needed feather pillow help whilst on tour?
Hannah: It’s very important!! My neck and back get sore easily these days so having the proper pillow along with me helps a great deal. I'm also not the best at sleeping so anything to help me do that is important.
TSH: There have been some engrossing covers that you’ve put your spin on also. Firstly, a dedication to the late, great Phil Everly, with a rousing rendition of the Everly Brothers’ ‘Bye Bye Love’. What was it about this song’s juxtapositions and layers that intrigued you so much?
Hannah: I love The Everly Brothers' approach to 'Bye Bye Love'. I was mesmerised by how sad the lyrics are but how different the production of the song is. I wanted to bring out the sadness in the lyrics a little more when I was covering it. I wanted to make you hear the lyrics and feel the pain and heartbreak that they are singing about.
TSH: Also, being a sucker for Christopher Owens’ confessional lyrics and cheeky delivery, you thought it would be great to give a shot at covering ‘Lust for Life’ from the much missed group Girls… Did you enjoy adding your own unique touch to the song?
Hannah: I did! It's a lot of fun adding your own interpretation to a song that really inspires you. I'm having more and more fun with it these days. That song was a lot of fun to sing!
TSH: You’ve been to the UK several times over the last few years. What’s your overall perception to experiencing the UK’s various cultures, traditions and people?
Hannah: I honestly have a blast every time I come to the UK. It's still very fresh to me and I feel like such a tourist. I'm always taking in new experiences and trying to see as much as I can if/when I have the time.
TSH: And, I understand whilst in London you really enjoyed walking around Camden…
Hannah: I did! I got to spend some time walking around Camden Market. Drank delicious tea and ate mini delicious waffles with chocolate Nutella on them!
TSH: With your musical productivity, how often do you keep in mind the feature of wanting to make music that evokes a feeling?
Hannah: I'm thinking about that constantly. I love listening to music that I emotionally connect with. In my opinion that's what it's all about. Production, lyrics, melody should all evoke an emotional reaction in the listener. I strive to find that in the music that I write.
TSH: Would the following statement you made sort of sum your outlook and beliefs for prosperity and guidance heading forward, ‘Success is not the end of your task. Success is the progress that leads you to your next step’…
Hannah: Ha! I found that quote in an article I was reading online about procrastination, 10 Ways to Help a Procrastinator? Or something like that… I sometimes get caught up in wanting to have a result right away and forget about the process. That quote caught my eye and sparked a little inspiration.
OMG <3 If you are still totally ship Dallas and George's relationship then... we need to talk :3 I finally found someone just like me! ._. #SoAwesome
ahhh i love georgas! <3 honestly i haven't watched any of season 3. the second half of season 2 was kind of a hot mess to me with george and dallas falling out for no reason really and the writers making dalia all crazy. and tessa has always annoyed the crap out of me. but if they're focusing on george and dallas again i may have to catch up! :)
