Hana
‘Night elf songstress’ Hana’s entirely self-produced album turns one week old today. This twelve track album was made while streaming live on Twitch ten hours a day, over the course of four weeks. During her six years in the music industry, Hana has been working towards expressing herself in her truest light. This reinvented sense of self is reflected in her new album titled “Hanadriel”. Her album release, which was held at 1720 in L.A., was attended by loved ones, close friends, and industry acquaintances. Hanadriel has an electronica dance feel layered with delicate vocals and acoustic instrumentals.
What advice would you give independent producers, composers, and songwriters wanting to get there work out there?
Put it out there! It's extremely easy to get music up on the internet now. Just get it out. Ask for feedback and constructive criticism and really listen when people tell youwhat they think. Never stop learning. Youtube tutorials forever! If you want to perform, do it as much as possible to get comfortable being on stage. Put your entireheart into everything you do. Have fun! Work hard
Courtesy of Jasmine Safaeian
How did the idea of streaming on Twitch come to you? Have you ever considered the idea prior to actually doing it?Yes! Since I do game a lot, I had been wanting to stream for a few years before I actually set it up. I just kept putting it off. Last year I did a few streams, then in February of this year, I started streaming a lot while my studio was under construction. A couple of months in, I started making music on the stream every once in a while, and the album idea came to me.
What inspires you to consider the feedback your audience gives you? It seemslike many artists today are hyperfocused on keeping projects in production very secretive.Curiosity mostly. I think after a few years of being cooped up working on a few different projects, I just wasn't sure who my audience was anymore or what they wanted from me. The first day of the album stream was extremely helpful, just to hear what it was that people would love to hear from me musically and thematically. That initial feedback and information was so helpful! Then, throughout the weeks of streaming the making of the album, the chat was super helpful if I was feeling indecisive about something. I almost gave up on Black Orchid, just because for a while it was in a weird state that I wasn't loving. I asked the people watching my stream, "Do any of you like this?" and a lot of people replied saying it was their current favorite. It pushed me to explore songs that I may have abandoned had I not been streaming. Now that is one of my favorite songs on the album!
What is the meaning behind the name of your album? Hanadriel is my video game character name - most significantly it's my World of Warcraft night elf's name through the years. It comes from my name mixed with Galadriel from Lord of the Rings.
Courtesy of Justin Higuchi
How has living in L.A changed the way you view the music industry? Is being around so many people in the same industry as yourself beneficial?
I've only ever experienced the music industry while living in LA....and it's always been extremely overwhelming and insane. I think I've just gotten used to the chaos. So many creative people in one area - the air just feels extremely charged and explosive. There are definitely pros and cons to the city, but it absolutely helps to have other artists around at all times. There are so many beautiful souls that I've metand worked with here, I can't help but love my city!
Courtesy of Jasmine Safaeian
courtesy HANA
interview CHLOE CHENG
More to read
