Interview with Folk Pop Artist Hannah Grace on New Album ‘Bigger Picture’, Going Independent, Tips to Succeed & What’s Next

MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?

Hannah Grace: Thank you so much for having me!

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a musical family where everyone was always playing music so I’ve always been surrounded by it. My Dad encouraged me to learn piano, write songs and perform in school and I’ve just never stopped.

Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

Hannah Grace: My first musical influence was Eva Cassidy, I love her voice so much and I love how’s she almost rewrote songs with her voice and completely made them her own. I used to listen to her albums on repeat and try and recreate every phrase and melody. I think there’s traces of Eva in everything I make now. As I grew up my Dad introduced me to incredible songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Carole King and I’d collect CDs in my bedroom, everything from Fleetwood Mac to Natasha Bedingfield and Billie Holiday. I’ve always been drawn to so many different kinds of music. After I finished school I studied Jazz, I think I’ve always been inspired by finding freedom in music, leaning into improvisation and being able to create something new every time I sing.

Website: www.HanGraceMusic.com
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What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

Hannah Grace: One of my main goals has always been to sustain music as a full time job. Right now I’m just about managing that and I’m very grateful I get to put so much time into creating and gigging. Other than that I’d love to keep touring, playing new places and reaching new audiences. Playing live is one of my favourite things to do, and in an industry that is so focused on the internet I like to remind myself that real life shows can still happen.
Music has always been a source of comfort to me, a way I can reflect on my life and the world around me, if my songs bring this comfort to other people that would make me very happy.

What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?

Hannah Grace: There are too many to list! One that stands out right now is a show in Nashville. I went to see The Time Jumpers – they have a residency in the city, they’re a super group of legend musicians including the singer Wendy Moten. She sang ‘the ing of broken hearts’ and I balled my eyes out. Something about her voice and performance just really got me – I hadn’t cried like that at a show in a long time – it was magical and truly inspiring. (it went on to inspire the song ‘Why Can’t I Cry About It?’).
I’ve been lucky enough to play some beautiful shows over the years alongside some of my favourite artists. Hozier was a stand out one, and so was opening for Barabra Streisand. But I played my biggest headline tour earlier this year – we booked it and ran it entirely independently. It was so challenging but so rewarding and the shows themselves made it all worth it – so that’s a run of shows I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Your latest release is your second full length album ‘Bigger Picture’ which we’re loving! What inspired this album? What does it mean to you?

Hannah Grace: This album is about growing up again in my twenties, strong friendships, true love, my everchanging perspective on the world and myself in it. It’s a real reflection on my life for the past 5 or so years. There’s also a thread of determination in this album. I was determined to make something against the odds. Without a label, without a big team, without big funding. It’s been so tough but so fulfilling and I am so happy it’s finally out in the world in full! (and I’m ready to sleep for a month).

How have you grown or evolved as an artist since your last album to now? Also, I believe I saw you released this one completely independently?

Hannah Grace: I have been so much more involved in the new album than I ever was on my first. I was part of every process, every decision – from the music production, to the artwork to the song choices and songwriting. I have felt creatively equipped to make the decisions this time in a way that I wasn’t ready for in ‘Remedy’. I really knew what I wanted to make this time. I feel like for my first album I was still figuring out who I was as a person let alone as an artist. So this new album definitely has more of me in it. In many ways ‘Bigger Picture’ feels like my debut.

As an independent artist, with millions of streams, you’re finding success, which we applaud! What kind of advice would you give to other artists looking to find similar success as you in today’s music industry?

Hannah Grace: The first thing I would say is actually not to focus on streaming! Of course it can be encouraging when numbers look good. But they can be deceiving. It’s of course known that streaming generates very little income for artists and anything that it does generate can be completely unreliable. My main focus has been on things that are within my control. Writing songs, growing a supportive community, and playing shows. I also started a Patreon a few years ago (that helped fund this new album!). It’s been such a lovely community to have amongst the noise and impossible algorithms of the internet. My main piece of advice would be to start small and focus on growing from there, try and build a community that stays, and listens and buys your music. Those people will always stick around regardless of social media trends or which platform is cooler. This is something I’m still trying to do myself! I’m still a work in progress.

What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

Hannah Grace: I’m excited for the album launch show in Cardiff next week! (5th September, The Gate, Cardiff). And I’ll be touring the album again next year which I’m very excited about.
Other than that ‘Bigger Picture’ has been 2 years in the making and I don’t think I’ve had a minute to think past the release. That being said, I’m always writing and making things. I don’t think this chapter is done yet though. (you’d have to join Patreon to get the scoop).

Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?

Hannah Grace: Be yourself outside and in, cause life’s already happening!

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