Next Wave #682: HANA

Subaqueous pop, laced with potential...

HANA has a quite singular way of looking at the world – when she wants to do something, she does it. There's a follow-through, an intensity of approach, that means her dreamy, supple, electronic pop music positively sings.

There's an anecdote during our conversation that seems to reveal much. Musing on her short spell in London, she explains that this isn't actually her first time in the city. “I've been here before, like four years ago,” she says. “I had been in Paris, and it was actually during the Olympics, and I came over to see the US Womens Soccer girls win the gold… and it was really awesome.”

A promising athlete herself, injury pushed HANA out of soccer practise – but the beautiful game's loss was music's gain. “I've pretty much always been obsessed with music. All throughout my life music has been a really big deal. I think of memories of my life, and it's all tied in with the music of that time. I think of my life in terms of music.”

There's definitely a close bond between HANA and her material. Parts are explicitly autobiographical, while the rest is so closely tied to her life that it may as well be. Breakout cut 'Underwater' blends pop with something darker, matching her current point of inspiration to a slightly more taut period in her life. “It's reflection,” she says. “I was just thinking of what I could talk to my younger self… not to give up. That there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Looking back on what you would tell yourself. Overall the song is about positivity and perseverance.”

Working with co-producer Bloodpop, the pair have crafted something rather special – evocative, addictive, and cinematic, there's a sublime addiction to sound at work here. “I produce them, and then I take some of them to him, and he'll help me finish it. I love his point of view on music, and I love working with him. I always have. We're pretty good at it. It's actually how we met, originally. We met in a session, and I guess it kind of just differs every time we work together. It's exciting. And fun.”

With her new EP out on the shelves now, HANA simply can't wait to reveal more about her musical vision. “I am so excited to get back into the studio, because I've been gone for quite a while,” she gushes. “I can't wait to start finishing up more of my songs. I have a computer full of stuff that just needs the finishing touches.”

“I'm so proud of this project, and it's just so Hana. I'm involved with it every step of the way. I think people can pick up on that. And I don't know, it's just been going better than I could ever have hoped. I'm really, really excited.”

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