Hey Hanssøn!! So excited to be chatting with you!! You are gearing up for the release of your highly anticipated new album. What does this album mean to you?
Thank you so much!!
Colours of the Fall means a lot of things, but really it’s about healing for me. I came out of an awful relationship that had so many complex elements to it. While I was going through that, it felt like my whole life had fallen apart, part of getting back to myself and healing was getting back to my music and these songs are a reflection of that. We started this album in Nov 2017, so 2 years of working with producer David Sisko to bring this project together, and I’m so grateful for the experience and also for the opportunity to express myself.
What do you hope your supporters will think of the new music?
I hope it’s healing for them too… I think they’ll see parts of my personality, I can be a smart-arse, I’m Australian, I talk back, but I also explored some deeper and softer elements too. The feedback so far from fans has been really supportive <3
How did the idea for this album come about?
It started as an EP and we just kept working on songs and became a full length project. We’d talked about conceptually what this was becoming, and how each of these songs was a “colour” in the arc of a relationship.
Can you tell us the meaning behind the name of the album?
It was all these songs about the arc of a relationship, from start “Fuck Fog” – the initial chemistry of meeting someone, to finish “Ode” recognizing what counts and the people who ride for you, all of these weave together to tell a story, and each song is a different “colour” or moment in time from the start the end of a relationship.
Any fun moments while creating the album?
All the songs we’d put together were kinda serious, and when we’d come to the end we were wondering like what’s missing from this story? What was missing was the initial spark when you first get together with someone.. you’re in a daze, your chemistry is banging, it’s what initially draws you to someone … I told Sisko I wanted to write about a “Fuck Fog”, it’s a reference for the show VEEP – and he was like “okay so we’re calling it “Fuck Fog” right? And I just went with it. When we’d finished the song we were missing someone, and I pulled out some voicemails from a guy I met in London – we put them on the song and it just came together – we had a laugh with that song because it was the least serious, and the most provocative.
What’s the process of writing one of your songs?
I used to labor over songs, and sit with them for a long time, but over the last few years I started working quicker – I would sit down and write a song in 20 minutes (Always High and Iceberg were written in the same session and both took about 20 minutes each). When I was demo-ing some of these songs, I had these ideas that I wanted to explore, I’d put down a beat, play with some chords and see what fits lyrically, write and re-write and boom it’s finished. I also push myself to write, even when I’m not feeling so “inspired”, there is inspiration everywhere even when you’re not feeling it and I think that helps me write quickly when I actually am inspired and in the zone.
What’s been your favorite song to write from the new album and why?
Ahhhh, this is such a tough question! They’ve all been my favorite at some point, Ode was the first track I’d recorded with Sisko and probably means the most to me because it’s talking about my friendships with the people I love most. But Fuck Fog is such a bop, and Dead Wood has the best vibe… I don’t know hahaha
Can you spill any details about the first single off your upcoming album?
The next single coming up is “Weather Warning”, and all I’ll say is that if you’ve seen the previous music videos released, you might see a familiar face in this one…
Will you go on tour to promote your new music?
I’ll definitely be playing some shows!
What song are you most excited to perform from this new album?
For the album launch I’ll be performing some songs, and I think I’m most excited to do the Epilogue track live, it’s more spoken word but I speak over a loop of my voice. I used a looper a lot live, beat boxing and creating a soundscape with my voice.
What does it feel like to perform your own music live in front of your supporters?
Always sparkly and tingly, it’s such a high…
Does your fanbase have a name?
They don’t, but you’ve got me thinking now!
How do you want your relationship to be with your supporters?
I wanna support them as much as they support me, I’m in touch weekly and sometimes daily with people who’ve come to shows, or supported me in some way shape or form, and it’s touching. It has to be reciprocal, I can’t be accepting all this love and support without giving it back.
What was the craziest fan encounter you have had?
The most positive fan encounter was this show I played in Louisville, KY in 2017 when I was on tour – they were just the best crowd, so many people were crying and really connected with the music, it was so touching. I met some really beautiful people that night.
Probably the most negative encounters I’ve had are having guys come up to me to explain my music gear to me or offer their advice on what I should do…Loads of mansplaining out there, I usually can see it coming a mile away and shut it down.
What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your supporters?
Mostly Instagram but sometimes I get on twitter too @sheishansson for both
What’s an average day for you look like?
I work and live in NYC, and I’m also a voice coach so I’m teaching a little bit for projects and stuff like that. I dance just about every day/work/write music,so my day to day life I’m always go go go. I do slow down though and when I take a break and go back to Australia to see my family, I’m usually in sloth mode, going slow and eating with my family hahaha
What goals have you set out for yourself in your career and in your personal life?
To bet on myself. To keep moving, stay light, keep writing, and build the career I’ve always wanted.
How has this whole music career experience been?
It’s been a whole lotta things, but with this album coming out, I’ve never been more clear and focused on what I’m doing, and I’m stoked about that.
Do you have any last things you want to tell your supporters?
Thank you so much for coming with me
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me.
Thank you so much <3
