Having already established her place on the scene with a wealth of glittering delights these last few years, New Jersey-based artist Hannah Stone is back on the grind once again to deliver her vibrant new single 'Bad News Bears'.
Capturing more of that rich and shimmering pop-rock aesthetic she has been building for herself since she first emerged, 'Bad News Bears' makes for an incredibly warm and inviting listen. With her euphoric vocal style spread across a dynamic production from start to finish, she is returning to the fold with one of her most alluring efforts to date.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Piano. When I was 10 my family moved in with my grandmother. We had a beautiful Yamaha upright that my grandfather had purchased when my mom was little. It lives with my uncle now, but it’s still my favourite one to play.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Soul and Motown! Pretty much whatever was playing on the oldies radio stations. I wanted to sing like Aretha Franklin.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Hmmm, that’s hard to say. There were many albums lying around that I got my hands on. The first ones I owned personally were probably movie soundtracks. I distinctly remember the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack because it got me hooked on Elvis. I also remember coveting “In Between Dreams” by Jack Johnson when I was 10 or 11. I looked it up online and must’ve accidentally ordered it because it showed up in the mail a week later to my father’s surprise. I loved that record.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Oof. So many songs have inspired me, I don’t know that I could pick just one. Every day I hear a song that I wish I wrote. For the sake of this article I’ll go with “Everything Is Free” by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
A lot of lyrics get jotted down throughout my day to day, melodies sung into my phone, fragments recorded on my computer. So many ideas haven’t made it to the finish line because I’m always getting new ones. Oftentimes I need to finish a song in one sitting or else it hits the back burner, but “Bad News Bears” is a great example of a song that evolved over time. I try to revisit as many ideas as I can, but I’m pretty scattered about it. I wish I was more organised.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
There is so much great music out there, I’m constantly discovering or rediscovering music I love. Devandra Banhart and Julia Jacklin have been in the recent rotation, as well as Allah-Las, Mojave 3, Wolf Alice, Portishead, Michael Kiwanuka, Alvvays. I’m never not in the mood for Lana Del Rey. Or Radiohead. Or Marvin Gaye.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
These questions are impossible! But fine. I’ll pick. Big Thief. I’ve seen them live multiple times now and I feel like I would enjoy being around them.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Music is this incredible access point to the human soul, even though it makes no sense. Sound waves? Vibrations? Thrown together in all matters of ways that makes you feel things? Um, what? It’s such a bizarre concept, yet it’s undeniably powerful. I don’t spend nearly as much time making music as I do marveling at it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Ha! It’s miserable! Just kidding. But, also not. The industry is just such a mess, and it’s hard to make a living, and most of the time you have no idea if the work you are doing is worth its salt.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I’m always encouraged by the people who tell me to keep doing what I’m doing. I sometimes think they’re wrong and are only confirming my own delusions, but I appreciate them. I believe other musicians know when you’ve got the bug and they’re just happy to have someone in the same boat. Find the people that share your joy and stick with them, is what I would pass along.
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Hannah Stone's new single 'Bad News Bears' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.