THE NEW STAR IS BORN: Jamie Hannah "Sound of My Youth"

March 20, 2019 5:55 PM

Yes, darlings, it's official! The UK has a new music superstar, and his name is Jamie Hannah.

He's got dreamy lyrics, catchy vocals and a spiky hair-do that makes teens girls (and a-hem, cultural reporters) swoon. His streetwear v. Adam Ant style sets him apart from the madding crowds. And it doesn't hurt that he was discovered and endorsed by the Archbishop of Britpop, Boy George. Yes, darlings, it's official. The UK has a new music superstar, and his name is Jamie Hannah. He put aside the recording and performing for a split second, and made time to mix it up with TWELV.
 
 

--------JAMIE HANNAH INTERVIEW---------- 

 

We've seen Instagram pics of a very young Jamie Hannah with a mic in his hand. How did you get your start as a singer?

My family say when I was a toddler I could always be found when we played “hide and seek” as I would be sitting behind the curtains or sofa singing loudly – I didn’t realize I could be heard!  We never had bedtime stories when I went to sleep, allegedly I insisted on bedtime “songs”. However, not so many nursery rhymes for me - I learned an eclectic mix of music depending on who put me to bed.  From my Dad I learned a repertoire of The Beatles, The Hollies and The Kinks. My Mum loved musicals and songs from Stevie Wonder, Frankie Valli and Neil Sedaka. My Nana sang me Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Matt Monro and Doris Day! ... Later I was involved with everything musical at school – bands, orchestra, barber shop group, musicals and choirs as well as solos.  I won the school “X Factor” competition when I was 12 by singing my version of Michael Jackson’s song Ben.  Being a singer was a “no brainer”.  I decided I wanted to be a singer/ songwriter to create my own music. When I left school I went to the Royal College of Music to study classical vocals as a countertenor.

 

It sounds like music is a big part of your family background. 

My grandfather was an incredible musician, he could hear a piece of music and be able to play it immediately on the piano.  He knew all the great jazz musicians in Scotland and loved to jam with them. There were lots of other professional musicians in the family going back – a cellist, a jazz pianist and an opera singer. My sister sings and plays the clarinet and my Mum plays the piano.  Music was always part of background to everything that went on in our family life. Car journeys were full of noise as we sang our hearts out as we drove along!

Do you also play instruments and produce in addition to singing and writing songs?

I play the jazz saxophone, double bass and piano. I also dabble somewhat on the guitar - definitely not Jimi Hendrix yet. Baby steps, eh? I have been learning how to produce with Benny D at Powerstudio in London for the last year or so.  I love being able to create and be able to hold all the creative strings myself when it comes to editing.  It is great seeing my ideas come to fruition at the end of a project. I am very hands-on with designing and editing my videos too.

 

What was your inspiration for Sound of My Youth?

Sound of My Youth was inspired by memories of a previous relationship - my first relationship.  Although many years on, those lyrics capture being submerged by the sense of emotion and a loss of a first love – almost suffocating and being unable to breathe as you’re drowning in overwhelming emotion. Such memories still continue to flood my mind, but I’m in control of them now.

 

Do you always write your own songs? 

I love making melodies and adding harmonies. I think that’s my classical roots manifesting.  I’ll be on the train and a little hook will come to me from the screeching of the breaks on the track. Ideas jump out at me at the most awkward times, then I’ll have to get my phone and record them before I forget them! The song is always king, collaborating with other creative people is truly amazing as it brings another dimension and thought process to the track.  A few of my favourite songs have been co-writes with friends. Sound of My Youth was!

 

Who were your musical idols growing up? 

Growing up, I'd listen to lots of types of music. Obviously the songs I learned from my family have a huge place in my heart. And then there's Tracy Chapman, Elton John, the list is endless. One minute of the day you could find me listening to the Jungle Book Soundtrack and then I’d be listening to Ombra Mai Fu (an aria from Handel’s opera Xerxes) or one of Ariana Grande’s new bangers.

 

How did you become convinced that you could have a career in music?

I wish it was that easy. Music is a tough business but I have got a lot of people who believe in me and support me.  I suppose it was when I started to get recognition for solos in choir performances when I was younger. I loved how I could take the audience on a journey. I was part of a small backing group at three of Kylie Minogue’s Christmas shows at the Royal Albert Hall. It was surreal being on stage alongside such an iconic performer. I always knew I wanted to give it a good go!

 

How did you link up with Boy George‬? ‬

The connection came through my producer. We send a few tracks back and forth. He liked them and we started working on some of his tracks together, sending stems of my vocals across, and receiving some of his and BVs from across the pond. It was very surreal. He is a generous mentor, full of good advice, not only on the music side but with lots of styling ideas. It was only a few weeks ago we were in the studio in London together working on something new – a Dusty Springfield kinda vibe!

 

Ooh! Tell us more!

It’s all a secret for now. My mouth is sealed! However the video is set to be very cool, filmed over in New York.

 

We love the way you have been building your following with live shows in London, but we are a touch jealous. When are you coming to sing for us in New York, L.A. and Tokyo?

Plans for New York in early summer and L.A. later on in the year… I'll get my ticket to Tokyo now!

 

In addition to your unique sound, you are have also become a fashion icon. How did you develop your sense of style? Who are your fashion heroes?

Fashion icon…hmm. Not heard that one before, but thank you! It’s been relatively organic to be honest.  Just pick out what I like when I walk into a store, you know? I attended London Fashion Week recently and loved Rockystar’s new collection and Malan Breton’s unique showcase at the House of St Barnabas. I have also recently been sponsored by Superdry to wear their clothing, with my music being promoted on their website in a couple of weeks time.  

 

JAMIE HANNAH INSTERGRAM 

INTERVIEW BY KAREN FRAGALA-SMITH

EDITOR SOPHIA PENG

 

 

 

related posts

LISA LOEB IN CONCERT-EXCLUSIVE NYC APPEARANCE

Lisa Loeb is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who was the first unsigned artist to have a number one platinum-selling single, her hit “Stay (I missed you),” without a recording contract. 

May 29, 2014 2:56 PM  |  Music

SAINT LAURENT MUSIC PROJECT

For decades music and fashion has been closely intertwined.

May 23, 2014 10:49 AM  |  Music
Photograph by Shervin Lainez

TATI ANA X NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB AT BROOKLYN BOWL

TATI ANA and NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB performed last week at the BROOKLYN BOWL. The crowd was everything you would expect from the cool electric bands.

May 10, 2014 6:52 PM  |  Music
Photos courtesy of Charitybuzz

Get the Royal Treatment with Lorde at Coachella for Charity

TWELV readers and Lorde lovers listen up, here’s a chance to snag VIP passes for you and a friend.

March 05, 2014 3:45 PM  |  Music

Holding onto a Little Daylight

Little Daylight is Brooklyn’s newest synth-pop project, bound for glory.

February 28, 2014 3:11 PM  |  Music
Photo by Caroline Hafer

The Ludicrous Impossibility of Writing a Think-Piece on a Kanye West Performance.

[My editors told me I could “go crazy on this one”, they're going to regret that.] 

January 10, 2014 4:23 PM  |  Music
Photo by Miliken Gardner

Ariana and The Rose

There was a time when the word 'pop' was deemed a dirty word in the music industry.

October 21, 2013 4:19 PM  |  Music
Photo Courtesy of GoLightly Media

SLEEPY KITTY

TWELV got the chance to chat with Paige Brubeck and Evan Sult of the band "Sleepy Kitty" to discuss muses, life in their favorite cities, Robert Rauschenberg, and welding.

October 17, 2013 11:34 AM  |  Music
On Alex: Dominic Louis black Tortuga moto jacket, Hanes t-shirt, Rochambeau for Converse sneakers, Otto hat, own denim. On Drew: Passarella Death Squad Leather Bomber Jacket, SIKI IM black "Kimono" tshirt with back strap, own denim, Pierre Hardy sneakers.

The Chainsmokers

NYC-based DJs Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall from "The Chainsmokers" recently let TWELV dress them up and pick apart their brains.

August 27, 2013 12:34 PM  |  Music
Photo courtesy of Cherry Tree/Interscope Records

Ivy Levan: Queen of Swamp-Hop

TWELV recently had the opportunity to chat with up-and-coming singer/songwriter Ivy Levan, who just released her debut EP, “Introducing the Dame,” on Cherry Tree/Interscope records.

August 19, 2013 2:29 PM  |  Music
Photo By: Will Morgan Holland

Kopecky Family Band

Interview with Gabe Simon

Musical roots hold a bond thicker than blood for this "family."

July 30, 2013 7:13 PM  |  Music

Daphne Guinness: Fatal Flaw

Fashion icon, Daphne Guinness, has released her first music video, “Fatal Flaw.” The heiress croons on about love while flashes of color dance in and out of focus in a melodic trance.

June 28, 2013 2:06 PM  |  Music

Exclusive: Neon Trees

TWELV Magazine is pleased to unveil this exclusive track from Neon Trees upcoming Lessons in Love (all day, all night) Remixes with this track by Michel Heyaca.

March 21, 2013 1:32 PM  |  Music

#STOPANDDANCE: Motive's Latest EP

If we may be so bold as to introduce Motive’s new EP, It’s Illicit.

March 04, 2013 12:00 AM  |  Music

Crowd Control: The Vaccines at Terminal 5

In no-nonsense rock 'n' roll style The Vaccines ascended the Terminal 5 stage at 10 pm Thursday storming straight into 'No Hope'.

February 01, 2013 12:00 AM  |  Music

Kitsune x Twelv Present WE ♥ NEW YORK

Join Kitsune Friday night to honor stars of the NYC downtown music scene at Le Bain, The Standard Hotel's penthouse discotheque.

January 22, 2013 1:30 AM  |  Music
by Shervin Lainez

Charlene Kaye: Animal Love

Charlene Kaye is not your typical singer songwriter. Her hit song “Animal Love” crosses more genres than a Girl Talk album.

January 15, 2013 3:05 PM  |  Music
MOTIVE

Twelv Presents: Motive, Computer Magic and Starlight Girls at Webster Hall

Twelv considered hundreds of bands before deciding which to include in issue 2. As a New York based magazine, Twelv is always on the hunt for emerging music talent in the New York area.

September 24, 2012 7:28 PM  |  Music
Photos by Katy Shayne Stroud

CHELSEA WOLFE

The young California native, who currently calls Los Angeles home, said she knew she wanted to be a musician all her life and begun self-teaching at the age of nine.

September 05, 2012 3:29 PM  |  Music

TWELV Night - Paloma Faith's British Invasion

Her name means nothing to most Americans, but Paloma Faith has the spirit of fame.

August 10, 2012 2:03 PM  |  Music
The head of a five hundred-count line! Photo by Naoko Takagi

TWELV Night – Lemonade, Chairlift, and Washed Out at House of Vans

Five hundred anxious New Yorkers stretched down blocks of Franklin Street last night – and not just for the complimentary booze.

August 04, 2012 7:52 PM  |  Music

TWELVIDEOS of August - a playlist

Is it really August already? Well we here at TWELV know how fast time flies when you’re having fun. Or when you’re vibing on the coolest new music videos.

August 01, 2012 2:10 PM  |  Music

Fiona Apple's Deep, Dark Woods

Fiona Apple has been known as many things during her decade-spanning career: Jazzy. Sensual. Sociopathic.

July 23, 2012 12:36 PM  |  Music

Dirty Projectors trade knots for new on latest LP

It's strange to see the word "accessible" appear again and again in interviews with the notoriously abstract Dirty Projectors.

July 06, 2012 10:14 PM  |  Music

Midsummer's Daydream: A Video Playlist

Not sure what your summer should look like? Well neither are we, but we've assembled five new music videos filled to the brim with sunny, stylish escapades.

July 06, 2012 9:51 PM  |  Music

UK’S CRYSTAL FIGHTERS BRING ETHNO-TRANCE CARAVAN TO NORTH AMERICA

The txalaparta, an ancient Basque instrument, is traditionally played through the use of partnership.

June 30, 2012 2:00 PM  |  Music

Small Black wade in the Hip-Hop water on new Moon Killer mixtape

What if you took your favorite rap beat into the sauna with a bottle of red wine?

June 30, 2012 12:30 PM  |  Music

DIIV IN

Brooklyn-based band DIIV, brainchild of Beach Fossils guitarist Zachary Cole Smith, was only formed about a year ago and played their first show late July of last year.

June 20, 2012 2:38 PM  |  Music

Tu Fawning's "Monumental" New Release

“Tu Fawning return this May with their sophomore release, A Monument.

June 05, 2012 2:25 PM  |  Music

Mystery Jets' New Album is the Culmination of their "Main Street Exile"

1. You guys are playing at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn on 6/11 and at Beacon Theatre in NYC on 6/15. What do you like the most about performing in New York?

May 31, 2012 2:51 PM  |  Music

Folk Music for a New Generation: Canyon's Fresh Take on a Classic Genre

Hailing from Westport, Connecticut; Canyon Sharits is a self-proclaimed "Song Peddler and Storyteller" who takes a confessional approach to all of her melodically distinctive Indie/Fo

May 01, 2012 11:59 AM  |  Music

“So Good You Need To Be In My Collection”: Wildstreet Gives Rock & Roll a New Name

“Armed with big choruses, blazing guitar solos, and powerful melodies, WILDSTREET is a sex-fueled rock n roll explosion beckoning the glory days of 80s arena rock.

May 01, 2012 11:17 AM  |  Music
photo by CHAMA

Blonde Redhead Invades Brooklyn

Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of Japanese vocalist and rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and Milanese twin brothers Simone and Amadeo Pace, who play drums and vocals/lead...

May 01, 2012 9:42 AM  |  Music

Pages

SITE BY: monocomplex©Marbles & Marbles International Inc. Drupal Development by: DivDiv, NYC
▲ back to top ▲