One To Watch: Hana Lili
Ahead of her stellar support slot next week, opening for Circa Waves' sold-out show in Glasgow, we sat down with this year's one to watch, Hana Lili
Hey Hana! Diolch for taking the time to sit down with us. Firstly, congrats on your latest single, ‘Small Talk’, — how does it feel to be back releasing music again after taking a short break away?
Hey! Thank you. It’s been really awesome to put ‘Small Talk’ out in the world. In conversation, I tend to struggle to communicate effectively how I feel, and sometimes don’t even really know what I’m feeling so writing and releasing music allows me to communicate the things going on in my head. It gives me space creatively to think of the next songs I’m writing and making.
Can you take us through the process of writing the track and what the song represents for you?
I was out socializing and realized I was hiding behind small talk and light-hearted conversations as a way to avoid being vulnerable. I think I was doing this in the hope that people would like me, but it was draining. Writing songs is like a snapshot of an emotion I’m feeling, a diary of some sort. The production side was really fun with this record. The track was produced by Jez Ashurst (whose previous work includes ‘Start Again’ by One Republic, ‘Secret Love Song’ by Little Mix (feat. Jason Derulo), and ‘One More Sleep’ by Leona Lewis). To finish up the production, we spent the day adding in guitars, synths, baritone guitars, and even an omnicord!
Is the single part of a wider project you’re currently working on?
Yessss! So ‘Small Talk’ is the first track from the new EP. Sonically it’s been really fun to explore where the Hana Lili sound is going, and to write retrospectively about breakups, infatuations, my mind, love, and different topics of the turbulences of life and people!
We can’t sit here and not mention last summer’s support slots for both Coldplay and Tom Grennan! You said at the time that those gigs were a big step forward for you — are you now seeing those links come to fruition, playing at The Great Escape in May for example?
It’s awesome! I’m so excited to play at the Great Escape 2024! You also learn so much as an artist watching these shows, it’s really inspiring to improve and work on the live show. Performing live is definitely my happy place! You can connect with an audience and share songs that capture parts of your life that are very introspective.
Speaking of live shows, you had your first headline slot at Clwb Ifor Bach in September last year, can we expect more shows sometime soon?
For sure!!!!
Going back to the new EP, how much of a push has the PPL Momentum Music Fund been?
It’s great that the PPL Momentum Music Fund from Creative Wales exists. It allows you as an artist to have creative freedom over the records you create. We recently went to a residential studio to record the next singles which was an awesome experience.
And just before we go, can you say anymore as to the release of the new EP?!
More is on the way but the EP is all about trying to take care of myself, heartbreak, and infatuations…
Catch Hana Lili’s latest single, ‘Small Talk’, here:
