INTERVIEW:
as they talk to me about their new single, Stay Another Night, and what inspired it. I ask what comes next for them and how they came to work with Hight on Stay Another Night; which rising artists we need to watch and the albums that mean the most to them.
HANNIE reveal what sort of music they grew up around and whether there are plans for next year; the advice they would offer artists coming through; if they get time to chill away from their busy careers – Hannah and Annie each select a song to end the interview with.
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
Hey! We’re really good thanks! We’ve been in the studio writing some songs and rehearsing for live.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
We are HANNIE, an artist duo. We make upbeat, fun music that (we hope) makes you want to dance. We write, produce and play and have different feature singers on each track.
Stay Another Night is your latest single. How did the song come about? What inspired it?
We were just jamming with Tim (Hight) one day (who is the guys who is singing on it). Annie started playing the riff that you hear in the post chorus and Tim started singing the line “Don’t let me stay another night”. From there it just flowed; we wrote the song in about three hours and then produced it up afterwards. It was such a relatable topic to all of us and there was such a good vibe in the room at the time that the songs felt so natural as if it needed to be written.
How did you come to work with Hight? Do you think you’ll work together again?
We were working with a friend and she mentioned Hight to us. She said we’d really get along and we should work together so we hit him up - and he came around our place to do some writing.
Yes, 100%. We’ve actually already written another song with him that we love; we’re going to release it for sure!
PHOTO CREDIT: Arielle Shear
Might we see more material from HANNIE next year?
Definitely! We have way more coming for you next year. This year was a warm up; get ready (smiles).
Did you grow up around a lot of music as children? Which artists struck your ears?
Annie: I didn’t grow up in a very musical family: I was the only one who played; it wasn’t like I was engrossed by music but I was encouraged to practice and play and I loved it so much so I just surrounded myself with it. I listened to a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire and CHIC.
Hannah: For me, it was the same. Me and my sister both had piano lessons but I stuck with it and, when I was thirteen, I started up my own band with a couple of friends. From then, I just knew this is what I wanted to do. I listened to a lot of Coldplay and Train at the time!
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?
We want to get a couple more songs out there for you by the end of this year. We’re also hoping to have full live shows to top it off.
In that same vein; do you have plans for 2019 in terms of what you want to accomplish?
We plan to be touring! We are going to be focusing a lot more on the live aspect; playing as many shows as possible, hopefully doing some festivals. And, of course, we plan to have a lot more music out there for you!
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
There have been a lot of awesome moments. I think the ones that stick in mind most are those moments in the studio when you’re writing a song and you just know it is gonna be great; when everyone is just totally vibing and on the same wavelength.
Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?
Hannah: No Mythologies to Follow by MØ
I think I’ve listened to this about a million times. Every song is different and I could stick it on whenever and straight away love it again!
Annie: Songs About Jane - Maroon 5
I listened to this so much as a kid and learnt literally every guitar part and all the drums. It’s ingrained in me.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
Maroon 5. That would be ridiculously amazing! Salmon…loads of smoked salmon! Thai sweet chilli crisps and a couple of perfectly ripened mangos. We’re not too hard to please.
Can we see you on the road this year at all?
Yeah! We’ve got a few gigs coming up really soon. We’re playing at BBC Introducing on 9th November and we have a couple of Sofar Sounds coming up too.
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
Do your own thing. Do as much as you can by yourself: there are so many opportunities now that you don’t need a massive team around you all giving you their opinions and making things more complicated than they need to be.
IN THIS PHOTO: Amanda Delara
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Amanda Delara; she’s dope! FARR. Check their song called Blades.
IN THIS PHOTO: FARR
Do you both get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
Not really at all; we live and breathe music. When we aren’t in the studio or making videos we are practicing. A lot of our friends are also in music so when we hang out we’re normally jamming or writing together. We do love going out for some good food though!
Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Annie: SWEET! I choose Masterpiece - Tori Kelly. It has SUCH VIBES. If you can listen to this and not dance you’re not human! (Smiles).
Hannah: Medicine by Robinson. The chorus is such a jam!
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