HANNI’s ‘Crazy’ New Single And How It Came Into Fruition
{interview by Emily-Layne Kapetanovic}
It’s important to us at WARRANT that those putting in the hard yards are recognised for all their work. So, we had a chat with Brisbane’s upcoming pop queen HANNI about all things music including her new single Crazy which dropped just the other week. At only 18, HANNI already has Triple J play as well as a Queensland Music Award up her sleeve. We can not wait to see what the future holds for this brights star.
You released your new track Crazy on March 26. How does it feel to have this one out in the world?
Releasing my second single Crazy in March was exciting and stressful all at the same time. I must admit that it does feel amazing to have another song out in the world, and I’m beyond grateful for all the love and support I have already received.
But to be honestly I was a bit hesitant to release a new song with everything going on in the world especially with the fact it called Crazy and contain lyrics like “I think I’m going crazy, tell me am I going crazy”. But in saying that, music has the power to effect people and it is something that helps people though challenging times. With these testing and hard times the world is facing at the moment, even if I spread joy to just one person by releasing Crazy, then I have done exactly I was meant to do.
What was the creative process behind this track? Was the idea conceived over time or did it just hit you?
The creative process behind this song was pretty easy as I worked on it with my amazingly talented friend and producer T Scarlett. As with all my songs, the concept of Crazy was based on events that where happing in my life at that time. I was so emotional when I wrote Crazy that it all just flowed and flew into place!
Crazy is about liking someone for a long time, but because of timing, factors out of your control and outside influences you have never taken that next step. You both know that there has always been something between you, something that keeps pulling you together, something uncontrollable, and denying your feelings is making you crazy, but you’re both afraid that admitting you’re more than friends will change your whole world forever.
You won a Queensland Music Award for your debut release Wired, how did it feel to have your music recognised in this way?
Winning a Queensland Music Award for my debut single Wired was crazy and unexpected as the calibre of my competition was phenomenal. When I was announced as the winner it was a total shock to the system, I had not even prepared a speech. Post winning the award, the support and love I have received from the team at Queensland Music has been amazing and heart-warming to say the least. They are an outstanding group of people that are making such a difference in the careers of Queensland artist and the music industry. I feel extremely appreciative to be apart of that community and to have received the honour of receiving a QMA so early in my career.
You have two tracks out so far, what do you find inspires your tracks? Are there any common themes or does it differ between them?
My biggest inspiration for my music would definitely be my life experiences. All my songs are about events that happen or are happing in my life, from relationships with silly boys to stupid friendships.
Generally, I’m most creative when I’m upset or working through something. There is something about the emotion that gets my create juices flowing and to be honest that is when my best work is made.
With the two songs out now, Wired and Crazy there are similarities in their themes. They are both about relationships I have had, both very different relationships with different challenges, but the message is similar in that they are both about not understanding why I’m stuck and not able to move forward. Where there is difference however, is that Wired is about the end of a relationship, when it was time for me to say goodbye and Crazy is about a friendship that could be the start of a relationship.
When did you start writing music? In what ways do you think your writing has changed since you first started to now?
I first started writing music 4 years ago when I was about 14 and honestly, I would never show anyone my earlier work it is so bad, but everyone needs to start somewhere. I think my writing has changed in the last few years because of my live experiences. When I started writing, I was so young that I didn’t have any experience to draw from. Since starting to write music I have gone from being a child to an adult so my views have changed, I’m a completely different person now. I guess as time progresses, I will get better. I may look back at what I have released and feel the same as I do now about my earlier work. But that will be because I would have grown and developed. I’m 100% sure my music will change as I experience different parts of my live and grow as an artist.
What does 2020 look like for HANNI?
Plans for HANNI in 2020 are to make as much music and get in the studio as much as I possibly can. Hopefully I will be able to kick my goal of releasing 3 singles and also hopefully an E.P. if all goes well in the world.
Watch this space.
You can stream Crazy here.