Hannah Wicklund Is Heading For ‘The Prize’

You will be releasing your new album ‘The Prize’ in 2023/2024 on your own label Strawberry Moon Records. What was the idea behind your new record and how did you want to approach it?

This record has been the true definition of a labour of love. I finished writing the final song for ‘The Prize’ in January 2019, completing the songs as a 21-year-old young woman. This collection of songs truly helped me navigate that eery transition from girlhood to womanhood and allowed me to sort through the nuances of certain relationships, both professional and personal. I wanted to approach this record in a different way than my past projects, where I always had the Iive show at the forefront of my mind. With Sam Kiszka producing, we dove into the world of recording in a way I never had, layering and stacking, and mainly having the best time doing it. This record is full to the brim with emotion and packed with intention.

Could you please tell me about the inspiration behind your latest single ‘Witness’?

‘Witness’ is a song I wish I could write over and over. Truly one of the most healing songs I’ve ever had the pleasure to create, both in the writing and recording process. The inspiration behind this song was the suffocating feeling that I needed to save someone I once loved from themselves, while at the same time I felt my own self disappearing. Embracing the heartache is the epitome of loving yourself enough to let go.

 

The single is accompanied by a music video. Where did you film the video and who did you get to direct it?

We filmed the music video for ‘Witness’ at a castle in Tennessee that was originally built for Al Capone’s attorney, where they’d host wild poker nights, and even has secret trap doors and escape routes, whose walls have more stories than we could probably imagine. Directed by Casey Pierce, whose love of art and music was the perfect pairing for this, did an amazing job in helping me to create a little world of my own. A painter himself, we both wanted paint to be a big part of conveying the message of the song. Ultimately, the paint represents the mark someone can leave on you.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I’m from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and if I had to describe it in 5 words they would be beautiful, strange, isolated, peaceful and toxic.

I absolutely love the artwork that you have created to accompany the album and singles. Did you plan out the at the same time as you were writing the songs or did you have a specific process?

The paintings came much later than the songs themselves. The journey to releasing this record has been riddled with ups and downs when it comes to the business side, and ultimately has taken so much longer to release than I ever anticipated. The silver lining in this was indeed the paintings. They ultimately helped to keep me from going crazy while trying to get this record out there. I had the opportunity to dive even deeper into the world and once I did, I couldn’t imagine not having these scenes to show for this record. Each song tells a different story, from a different vantage point, but is placed inside the same world; a castle floating on a cloud.

How do you look after your voice?

I was very lucky to have ample opportunity to perform from a young age, and I built up a strength with my voice that feels almost unbreakable. I’m almost always singing and harmonizing with whatever music is playing, and ultimately, I guess I live by the ‘use it or lose it’ method, because I’m really not too precious with my voice.

You will be touring the UK and Europe as a special guest for Greta Van Fleet and you also have your own headline shows in London and Manchester in November as well. How are you feeling about those shows and do you have any sightseeing plans whilst you are over here?

I couldn’t be more thrilled to be heading over to the UK and Europe this Fall. Each time I have toured there has been an absolute treat, and this tour will surely be no exception. Having the chance to go from playing an arena to a small club show in the same town in the same week will be something new, and those headlining shows are sure to be wild. As for the sightseeing, I’m looking forward to visiting as many gardens and eating as much food as I can!

Will be touring solo or will you have a band with you? If so, who will be performing with you?

This tour will be extra special for me as my older brother, Luke Mitchell, will be backing me on drums, and his lifelong best friend and bass player, Kevin Early, whose playing I adore, will be holding it down on bass. We will be playing Glasgow for the first time together, where our grandfather was born, and I couldn’t be more grateful or thrilled to have those two backing me up.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Was ‘The Prize’ a difficult album for you to write?

‘The Prize’ was a pleasure to write. At times it was difficult to sit with some of the emotions, and tears were certainly shed, but it came to me very easily at the end of the day. The sentiment behind each song is rooted in reality and inspired by the life I have lived, and I consider myself very lucky to be able to explore the patterns of my life that brought me these songs.

What makes Hannah Wicklund happy and what makes you unhappy?

For me, the love of my dogs, my partner and my family is the well in which I draw my happiness from. I’ve found life is actually becoming more and more simple as I get older, and the little things make the greatest impact. If I had to sum up what makes me unhappy, I’d have to say seeing other people struggle at the hands of someone else. Injustices large or small make impact on me, and it can be disheartening at times seeing the ways in which we treat each other as humans.

Photo Credit: Aliegh Shields

 

Hannah Wicklund’s forthcoming album ‘The Prize’ will be released in 2023/24 on Strawberry Moon Records.

 

In anticipation of the album release, Hannah will be visiting the UK & Europe in November, performing arenas in support of Greta Van Fleet and she will also be performing two UK headline shows including Camden Assembly in London on November 21^st and Manchester’s Deaf Institute the following day.  Tickets for all shows are available here: https://www.hannahwicklund.com/new-page