Pop Culturalist Chats with Hannah Trigwell

Hannah Trigwell is an artist who’s truly dedicated her life to her passion. At a young age, she taught herself to sing and play guitar, which would eventually lead her to busking all around Leeds and posting videos online. Slowly but surely, she built an international fan base, and this year, she dropped her highly-anticipated album, Red. She’s the driving force behind her career and wouldn’t have it any other way. Pop Culturalist had the opportunity to speak with Hannah about it all.

PC: When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Hannah: Since I was young. I’ve always been interested in music, but the idea that it could be a career happened while I was at university. I was performing and busking while studying biology. During that time, I realized that music was slowly becoming a career that I could pursue after I finished my studies.

PC: You just released your new album, Red. What was the inspiration behind it?
Hannah: I called the album, Red, because all the emotions and storylines in the songs are summarized up well by that color. There are songs about love, lust, jealousy, and those kinds of emotions.


PC: You’ve released a few singles throughout the year. What was the process like putting together a larger body of work? How did you select what would be included?
Hannah: Usually when I release a single, it’s one recording and there’s one idea for the song and the video. It was a totally different ballgame making a larger body of work as opposed to just a single. For the album, there had to be a lot of focus on track listings and figuring out the sequence. It’s important that the songs flow properly and that it takes listeners on a journey. It was a very different experience as a producer of music, but I really, really enjoyed it. It was so great being so in control of the creative process.

PC: You started your career off by busking and posting videos on YouTube. What did you learn from those experiences that you brought to Red?
Hannah: With busking, you hone your craft as a live performer. I did a lot of busking before I did a massive gig or tour. I feel like I was much more prepared because of that. I just did an album tour around Europe and I felt so at home performing on stage. Busking is really interesting: no one is walking past you, having planned to see you perform. It challenges you to get and then hold their attention.


PC: Did you use busking as a way to figure out what songs would be on the album?
Hannah: I actually used YouTube and social media more to gauge what songs should go on the album. When I’ve done busking more recently, I’ve played some new originals to see what the reaction is to them. You get more detailed responses from comments online than by trying to read someone’s face.

PC: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Hannah: When I was a teenager, I stopped singing for a bit. I regret that. Also at that age, I was embarrassed to sing publicly. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice it would be that nobody cares! [laughs] Just do what you want to do!


PC: Do you think that being the leader of every aspect of your career makes you appreciate your success even more?
Hannah: I taught myself to sing and play guitar. I haven’t really caught a break in my career; it’s all been through hard work and determination. I’ve been blown away by the international response to the album—it’s done really well in Southeast Asia and Denmark. Everything means more to me because I know how much work has gone into it.

PC: Are there any plans for an international tour?
Hannah: I would love to. I did a poll on where I should play and the place that had the biggest response was actually Boston! I just need to get my visa.

PC: Is there a venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Hannah: There are so many cool venues in the States! Maybe the House of Blues?

PC: What does the rest of 2018 hold for you?
Hannah: I make my own music videos and they take a bit of time. I’m working on the next one for the next single. I also have a few feature vocals on a couple of upcoming songs.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Hannah: Love Island

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Hannah: I love all the old Disney films like Beauty and the Beast.

PC: Favorite book?
Hannah: I just got a graphic novel from a fan called Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Hannah: Wicked

PC: First album you ever bought?
Hannah: M People

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Hannah: RuPaul’s Drag Race

PC: Hidden talent?
Hannah: I love playing English football.

Make sure to follow Hannah on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and pick up Red today.

Photo Credit: Asia Precz