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10 Questions with ... Hannah Gill
July 4, 2016
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1. How has the past year or two been for you?
This year has been pretty amazing! We have been playing loads of shows to help gain momentum before the EP release. Since performing is probably my favorite part of the music process I would say it has been a good year. As for highlights regarding 2015 I would have to say my graduation from high school in May of 2015 was a huge one. It marked the moment where I went from a part-time musician to a full-time recording artist. Another highlight was when I moved to New York in September. It is crazy to think that all of this has happened in a little under a year.
2. Growing up, did you always know that you wanted to be a musician and be in a band?
Ever since I was a kid I knew I wanted to sing for a living. The feeling I get when I am on stage is so indescribable ... all I ever wanted to do was replicate that feeling. I think coming from a small town has made me more modest in a way. To move from a town with 15 musicians to a town with 150,000 really puts things into perspective.
3. Can you talk about moving from a small town to New York?
It was pretty smooth actually. I knew I was bound for the city for a few years prior to doing it so the move itself came somewhat effortlessly.
4. How did this group first come together?
It really started when I teamed up with my friend Brad Hammonds -- I was invited to record a few songs at his studio (as a favor for his father) and after hearing me sing, we teamed up and began writing and performing together. Brad on guitar and myself on vocals. As a few years passed we really started to develop our sound and found other musicians we really clicked with. Forming the band was incredibly organic. I think we all work so well together because of how similar yet different our personalities are. Of course we all love to make music, but the slight differences in how we go about it make us a great team!
5. How would you describe your sound to someone that has never heard it before?
Soul pop! The outer shell of the EP is very pop, but the more you start to analyze the tunes you find that the bones have a strong soul, jazz, and blues feel.
6. Where did the inspiration for the songs on The Water come from? How do you all coordinate on songwriting?
The inspiration for most of the songs revolves around my move to New York and the changes it brought. I guess my newfound freedom in the city was good inspiration. I worked closing with Brad, and my friends John White, and Rich DeCicco while writing the lyrics for songs like "Austin" and "The Water." Lyrically it is great to have a creative group of people available to bounce ideas off of.
7. How have your recent shows been going? Where have been some favorite venues and crowds to play for?
They have been going really well! My favorite venues we have played in the past month or so have to be both Mexicali Live (Opening for Sister Sparrow) and Gramercy Theater (Opening for Kris Allen). The venues themselves were beautiful; the staff was kind (which is always a huge plus) and the crowds just wanted to have a good time. I love playing for people who just like to get up and dance!
8. Who are some of your favorite artists?
Oh gosh, I love a lot of musicians but my favorites at the moment have to be Leon Bridges, Michael Kiwanunka, Cake, Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, Johnny Flynn and Melanie Martinez.
9. If you could with anyone you wanted, who would that be?
I would love to do a collaboration with Hozier. I was a fan of his back when his music wasn't on iTunes and you could give a donation (in Euros) for his Take Me To Church EP on his website. I even commented on his FB early on soliciting feedback for a song of mine and he responded saying, "Talent well beyond your years, keep up the good work." I don't know ... It would be a really fun story to tell don't you think?
10. At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners are taking away from your songs?
I just want to make something that people enjoy. Whether they laugh or cry, sing or dance. I just want to move people with my music the same way that my idols did to me. Music is one of the few things in life that truly connects everyone, and all I want to do is connect.
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