Interview with Hana Piranha
Interview with Hana Piranha
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
I’ve played music for as long as I can remember and was working with a mindset towards a career in music since about the age of nine. For a while I considered studying English Literature for the simple reason that I love reading but to be honest I have no idea what that would have led to!
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
Over the last few years I have become very obsessed with ballet. I take classes a couple of times a week and right now it’s pretty much my sole fitness activity. I plan to do a ballet-based music video in the near future.
How long have you been making music?
I have been making music for over thirty years now!
Where are you based and how did that influence your music?
I’ve lived mostly in London and Brighton which are two thriving musical cities in the UK. It’s easy to meet great musicians on the circuit and be inspired by your peers.
Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?
Just before Lockdown I started a solo harp project that was a gothic fairytale concept. We toured this album with two actors, myself and backing tracks and various backdrops. I got to dress as a princess which is definitely my favourite look. I really love this idea of a multi-faceted theatrical show and giving the audience a more immersive experience. It's definitely influencing the way I visualise future gigs.
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
My favourite venue in London to play at is The Underworld. I guess if I could pick one venue for my bucket list it would be the Royal Albert Hall!
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
I would love to support Nine Inch Nails.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
I feel like now that I’ve hit my thirties I have only just gotten into the stride of what it means to be a self-employed musician. I guess my main retrospective bit of advice would be - don’t be too distracted by the social climbing and business side of things. Keep practising your scales. Keep taking lessons. Set your sights on brilliance, not popularity!
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
Every song means the most to me at the time I am writing it and also performing it. They’re all deeply personal and I never forget the feeling I first had when I wrote each one. However at the moment I would say the title-track of our new album Wingspan is the one that does it for me - it sums up the overriding concept of the album which is about being larger than you first appear and realising your true potential.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
Murderess from our last album Waiting to Burn always gets included in our sets as it has a kind of loose, drawling, almost drunk vibe that we really get into. A song that fans always ask for is Naked Flame.
What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?
If I don’t have a grand concept for a song then I don’t even bother. I’m inspired by literature, conversations with friends, anything that inspires a big idea. After that I let it sit in my head for a while before I do the actual work which is hours and hours sitting at the piano or lying on my chaise longue (tortured artist-style) with a notebook and pen.
Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.
When I wrote my earlier albums I was processing a lot of strong emotions like pain and desire and the message was maybe directed at the people I was singing about. I say that now in retrospect because I feel like I’ve reached an evolution recently in myself and my writing. My songs are a little more detached, definitely less rawly emotional, leaving me the space to be more inventive musically. This album is about growth and strength.
Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?
Our next single is called Lorelei. Lorelei was a siren of German mythology and I have channelled her spirit of revenge in this heavy electronic song. We will be releasing the album Wingspan soon after.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Look out for our new releases over the Summer (release dates tbc).
How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?
You can buy our physical and digital merch on Bandcamp which is great for us as it keeps us in violin strings!
Otherwise all the usual platforms
Instagram @hana_piranha