Liv Hanna in Conversation with FAULT Magazine
Liv Hanna
Liv Hanna is an emerging artist with a distinctive pop sound. As a trained vocalist whose love of music saw her perform as part of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Liv’s expansive range and sheer vocal power gives her the edge over some of the ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ artists of the TikTok generation. That said, the 20 year old’s latest release, ‘crazy’ is so relatable that it could be a trending relationship song, expressing the angst of being unable to break free of a toxic situation.
In the wake of her new release, we spoke to Liv Hanna about ‘crazy’, her approach to cracking the music industry, and more…
FAULT: At a time when a lot of musicians are rejecting genre labels, you unashamedly describe your music as ‘Pop’. As an emerging artist, how important is it to create a consistent sound and audible identity for people to recognise your music?
Liv Hanna: As an emerging artist, it is extremely important to make yourself identifiable from the start. You want people to hear your song and go, “oh, that’s Liv Hanna,” and this is often tricky as many artists circle around the same stylings and genres. It is also important to be consistent with your sound as it constitutes your brand. If your vibe is dark/alt/Pop, you’re not going to release a Rap or Folk song out of left field. Emerging artists strive to create a set image and our sound coincides with whatever brand we paint for ourselves.
Tell us a bit about your background – how did you get into music?
I grew up surrounded by music, listening, and being influenced by many genres. I also began voice and piano lessons at a young age and immediately fell in love with singing. I went on to participate in theater camps, community theater, and (MYO) Metropolitan Youth Orchestra for many years. I introduced myself to every aspect of music and eventually began songwriting around 12 years old. I began recording in studios at 14, and it instantly became my favorite place.
You’ve been (rightly) praised for your vocal range. For a singer-songwriter, your voice is your instrument, so do you get frustrated when you listen to more established artists who perhaps don’t have the same range, or who prefer to play it safe?
Thank you, and yes, I definitely do see established artists selling a soft whisper tone rather than an expansive range and outstanding vocals. However, I also see established artists with a range exceeding mine and indescribable tones no other artist could recreate. I do sometimes envy this in my songwriting processes, but most of all, I appreciate their artistry and musicianship.
‘crazy’ is about toxic relationships. It’s a well-worn theme for pop singles, so what makes your take on it different to anyone else’s?
I definitely agree that toxic relationships are a tired theme we see again and again in music, however, it’s so relatable that I couldn’t not write about it. ‘crazy’ expresses being aware of the toxicity and ignoring it because staying somewhere you know is sometimes easier than getting up and making a change, or saying goodbye to someone you’re used to.
Name some of your key inspirations, musical and/or otherwise?
My musical inspirations include Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Rey, and Miley Cyrus. They thrive in their individualism, and I aspire to have the same musicianship that they demonstrate through their music.
You’re very new to the music industry, releasing your first track on Spotify in 2020. With the benefit of a fresh perspective, what do you think are the biggest challenges facing aspiring young artists today?
So many people are writing and releasing songs these days that it’s nearly impossible to be the one who makes it. There’s a lot of competition, and it’s easy for a song or an artist to get lost, but I’d say stick to your lane and just keep putting music out. If you know who you are and what you stand for, people will see that confidence and want to follow you on your journey.
Flipping that last question: what big opportunities are there for up-and-coming musical talent?
Honestly, I think the biggest opportunities for up-and-coming artists are the talent shows such as American Idol and The Voice. Shows like these provide opportunities for anyone to come sing, share their talent, and get discovered.
Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?
I’d like to collaborate most with either Madison Beer or Nessa Barrett as I feel that we write with similar styles and genres. I absolutely love both of them and relate tremendously to their music. I feel that it would be received well if we were to collaborate at some point.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t making music, I’d still be pursuing a career in the creative arts 100%. Whether it be acting, theater, A&R, music marketing, or working at a music company such as Spotify, I would love to still participate in the industry.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Anything you’re particularly looking forward to?
I’m very excited about this year! I have many singles that I plan on releasing back-to-back this year as well as potential talk of an album in 2025 . . . so stay tuned!!
What is your FAULT?
Sometimes, I love too hard, and I’m too vulnerable. And, it’s a fault because I don’t have many defenses, and I don’t protect myself enough.