Hannah Frances Silverleaves Interview

Ethereal, sweet, beautiful, haunting, captivating, hypnotising … there's been all kinds of wonderful terms thrown around about the music of Melbourne singersongwriter, Hannah Frances. One thing is for certain – it is magical.

Hot on the heels of her third and most talked about single, "Here Comes The Rain", comes the highly anticipated debut EP – "Silverleaves" – dropping on Friday 16th October 2020.

Hannah Frances cites Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell and Lana Del Rey as huge influences on her music that has frequently been described as 'a sweet and dark musical terrain that traverses folk, pop and the sounds of the singer-songwriter generation of artists who trail blazed out of Greenwich Village in the 60's'.

It's a big call for the young Victorian artist but she has proven time and time again that she's anything but a one trick pony. Each track on "Silverleaves" shows a new and exciting side to Hannah Frances.

"I'm unbelievably excited to release my debut EP and to share raw and intimate music pieces of myself with you", she says.

"After releasing my singles this year, responses from social media and radio have been overwhelming – this makes me ever more excited about this release. This is an introduction to Hannah Frances and I'm absolutely beaming to know that it will make it's way to you very soon".

"Silverleaves" is out via all digital platforms.

Interview with Hannah Frances

Question: How would you describe your music?

Hannah Frances: My music is a sweet and dark musical terrain that traverses folk, pop, alt-country and the sounds of the singer-songwriter generation of artists who trail blazed out of Greenwich. For some reviewers, my songs remind them of incredible spell-bounding artists such as Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Rey, Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine and Hannah Reid from London Grammar.


Question: How does it feel releasing your debut EP?

Hannah Frances: It just genuinely feels right " it feels like it's still the right time to be releasing this EP regardless of the obstacles this year has thrown at the arts. Music and the arts can be such a healing medium and to release music that connects with so many people is such a beautiful and special feeling.

Question: Tell us about the album Silverleaves?

Hannah Frances: 'Silverleaves' was produced by the incredible Lee Bradshaw from Bradshaw music productions. Each track off the EP is connected to a tranquil place called Silverleaves beach owned by the Boonwurrung people"I either crafted, videoed, sang and/or wrote the tracks on that very beach. Thus, it eventually became the title of the EP. Each track covers a blend of musical genres, ethereal colours and themes that make up an introduction to 'Hannah Frances'.


Question: What inspired your latest song Here Comes The Rain?

Hannah Frances: This song is incredibly close to my heart. 'Here Comes The Rain' is about taking the power back from something or someone that made you feel powerless. Taking your power back can come in many forms including the realisation of the strength that is still inside you " or in my case, writing a song about it and sharing it with the world. I'm usually comfortable with delving deeply into the meaning of my songs but for this one in particular, I believe it's better to allow people to make their own interpretations of the song and connect with it in whichever way they wish to.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Hannah Frances: Each song provides a different message, but they were all created from a place of healing in the hopes that they could ultimately resonate with the listeners own healing processes. In saying that, I also think that the way in which the songs are interpreted by the listener alone are in fact the messages of my music.


Question: What was your first performance?

Hannah Frances: My first gig was at Fitzroy Beer Garden. Including the bar tender and the people who organised the event, my only supporter at the gig was my mum " Thanks, Caroline.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?
Hannah Frances: The creative process in general has always been a motivating force. Grabbing inspiration from my own personal experiences and exploring them in musical ways that are so innate is healing and motivating in itself.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Hannah Frances: My playlists are forever changing but at the moment I'm listening to Neil Young, Emily King DMAs, Mac Demarco and Jesse Jo Stark.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Hannah Frances: The amazing woman that is Kate Gould was my singing teacher during high school and she gave me the confidence and belief in myself to follow my passions. As she had a successful career in the arts, I trusted her words and she was a huge inspiration for myself as a young artist.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Hannah Frances: There are way too many artists I'd love to collaborate with! I've never spoken about this artist in interviews but Sufjan Stevens is a creative mastermind in both songwriting and melody. Collaborating with him on a track would be an enriching experience.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Hannah Frances: A typical day is a little burry to describe at the moment. However in regards to this year, a typical day would be studying online for my masters in Music Therapy, work, walking my dog, writing music, playing music and repeat.

Question: What moment in your musical career stands out the most?

Hannah Frances: I always seem to travel back to when I sang to a beautiful group of people at an intimate backyard gig in 2019 " both the atmosphere, the people and all the musicians were so inviting and warm.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Hannah Frances: Sharing musical parts of myself has connected me to so many beautiful people in the music community and seeing the joy that my music can bring people is definitely an amazing feeling.


Question: What's next, for you?

Hannah Frances: I have a lot of tunes cooking so I'm hoping to record new music next year and when live music comes back to our state, I hope to play live gigs amongst other incredible creatives.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Hannah Frances: Bandcamp
Instagram  
Facebook  
Spotify 
Apple Music 


Interview by Gwen van Montfort