Hannah Anders – While I Still Got Time

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My roots are definitely in country music. I love this genre with my whole heart, but I am also strongly influenced by classic and southern rock. I love a gritty guitar lick- the kind that makes you scrunch up your face and sink into it. I’m a country girl, with an edge…

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I grew up on a lot of different genres of music, so I feel fortunate to have influences from several categories. Most people don’t know that my first live concert EVER was Paula Abdul. I LOVED her. [laughs] I thought her stage show, her dancing, her songs, were all so great. I remember watching her as a little girl and knowing I wanted to do that one day. As I really began to sing and write I found my influences leaning strongly towards Reba, Bonnie Raitt, Garth Brooks…As I got a little older, I really started getting into Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynrd…Those were some of the artists that really got me going.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “While I Still Got Time.”

A) When I was writing for my last album, it was really important to me to talk about the journey I had been through in the music business and the emotions that had come along with it. Chasing your dreams is a long and winding path and not for the faint of heart and I know that so often with the shiny highlight reels of social media we can feel alone in our struggles. So, it was welling up in me as a songwriter to address not only my story, but to do it in a way that people could take it on as their own when they heard it. It’s gritty and honest, but also a reminder to use the time you have to keep going towards whatever it is you’re called on this Earth to do.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) Well the fact that they’re connecting is just a huge deal for me because this is one of my most personal songs to date and I love so much that people love it. And like I said, I think all people connect with a struggle and connect with a message of finding your power and finding your fight within your struggle. For me it’s my music career, for someone else it’s completing a degree. Emotions are universal, you have to find a way as a songwriter to tell your story in a way that allows that universal quality in. I hope I did that here.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I wanted to be bold with the video. I have had so many scenarios throughout the years where I felt trapped and locked up and unable to move forward because of bad deals, bad people and otherwise. The visual of a jail break came to me almost immediately as I was writing the song, as the perfect analogy for that feeling of being trapped and ultimately escaping into freedom.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) It’s different. Sometimes I have a lyrical idea first, sometimes my producer or guitar player has a musical idea and we write to it. I’m less concerned with that portion of it and more in need of topic inspiration. Once I know WHAT I want to write, HOW I write is flexible.

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) I’m really fortunate to have an excellent producer here in town, DrFord, who has a way of really hearing me when I express what I’m looking for in each song. I am definitely opinionated [laughs] and I know what I like and don’t like. I have pretty clear ideas about how I want my music to sound and I express those idea, and I also know when to step back and come at it with fresh ears after the and the musicians have had some time with it. Sometimes what you think you want is altered when another creative mind throws a great idea into the mix. I always want to stay open to that.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Hannah Anders performance?

A) Now you’re really in my wheelhouse. [laughs] I LOVE being on stage. It is home base for me hands down. And the most important thing for me in the world is that people have a great time and feel touched by the music. So, I say they can expect a high energy, full throttle, 110%, authentic, honest, performance of the music, some songs I love by greats I look up to, and most of all, a hell of a good time.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) There are so many great artists I would be honored to collaborate with. My top three right now are Chris Stapleton, Marc Broussard, and Miranda Lambert.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Currently, I have been listening to NEEDTOBREATHE’s album that they recorded live at the Ryman. I stumbled across it one day and just can’t get enough. I love the gospel influence. I grew up in church with a preacher for a grandfather, so anything that digs into your soul like that I just love. They are amazing singers and musicians and I love a live album. It really gives you insight into the band’s skill level and personality. I’m really enjoying it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media has positives and negatives obviously like anything. But there is no better way to directly connect with your fan base and communicate the way you want to and say what you want to say. I think it’s a great platform to interact with people. And it makes this big world just a little bit smaller.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you so, so much for your love and support. For welcoming me into your playlists, rainy days, workouts, girl’s nights out, camping trips, hunting trips and all the other amazing places you have shown me that you listen. It is the greatest honor of my life to create art that speaks to you. Thank you for making me a part of your life and allowing me to live my dream.