A Quick Chat with HANNI

Australia’s rising indie-pop singer-songwriter, HANNI releases her highly anticipated debut EP “Sentimental Me”.

HANNI is flourishing into an exhilarating musician and artist, forging her own path with her evocative and elegant vocals, catchy melodies, and emotive and proficient songwriting. Her innate ability to write honest, confessional catchy lyrics leaning into her life experiences in love, relationships, and self-empowerment, alongside haunting melodies has captivated fans worldwide who are drawn to her unique sensibility and authenticity.

“Sentimental Me” captures HANNI’s best songwriting to date sharing the rollercoaster of emotions HANNI went through over the last 5 years. It’s a dreamy introspective and diaristic collection of songs about relationships, love, heartbreak, loss, and everything in between.

To celebrate the release of “Sentimental Me” HANNI will be doing a special, one-off performance in her hometown of Brisbane at QUIVR, Fortitude Valley on Thursday December 5, performing the EP stripped back and acoustic. It’s a chance to say thank you to the fans, friends, and family for their unwavering support.
All ticket information HERE

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Can you tell us how these songs on ‘Sentimental Me” came together and the influences and inspiration that have helped shape the sound of this EP?
The songs on Sentimental Me emerged from some of my most vulnerable and transformative moments over the past five years. Each track captures a different emotional state - from deep reflection to overwhelming feelings - serving as intimate diary entries where I've poured out my heart. The EP chronicles my journey through relationships, love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, becoming a form of music therapy. Being overly sentimental about every feeling led to songs that feel like confessions, where I've spilled my deepest secrets into the lyrics. I drew inspiration from artists who aren't afraid to be raw and honest, wanting to create something that feels like an intimate conversation with listeners while helping me heal wounds I thought would never close.

 What is the meaning behind the title “Sentimental Me”, and what would you like fans to take away from these songs?
Sentimental Me is a perfect reflection of who I am—someone who feels deeply, thinks too much, and overanalyses every moment. Being sentimental is both my greatest strength and my biggest challenge. The EP captures that emotional spectrum, from heartbreak to healing, grief to growth. I hope listeners find their own stories in mine and feel less alone in their experiences. At the very least, I want these songs to remind people that it’s okay to feel everything deeply and to embrace being sentimental ❤

Can you take us through your creative process from writing to recording these songs for “Sentimental Me”
Each song had its own unique journey. Some, like “Fix Myself,” practically wrote themselves in a matter of minutes, while others, like “Care Too Much,” went through several iterations before finding their final form. I guess my creative process is starting every session with a de brief on current or past life dramas that I’m trying to process! Collaborating with amazing producers and writers, like Hauskey and Alex Burnett, brought out ideas and emotions I didn’t even know I had.

You recently packed up your life in Brisbane and hit the road in your family caravan to travel around Australia. What inspired this adventure, and what was the most interesting place you visited?
I needed a change of scenery. After everything I’d been through emotionally and creatively, it felt like the right time to hit reset. Also, my parents inspired me as they were already 6 months through there 2 year planned lap around Australia. Traveling in the caravan with my two doggies has been this beautiful, liberating experience—just me, the road, and the freedom to create anywhere. The most interesting place so far has been Karijini National Park in Western Australia. The landscapes are so breathtaking and raw, it almost feels otherworldly. Plus, being immersed in nature has really helped me reconnect with myself and my creativity. I AM SO BACKKKKK…..

You have performed at the 2023 Falls Festival and supported artists like Bernard Fanning, The Rubens, and Cub Sport. What has been the most memorable part of your live performance journey so far?

 Every show has its own special moment, but my debut headline show in Brisbane is a standout for me. It was such an incredible feeling to have a room full of people singing along to my songs—it felt like all the hard work and vulnerability had paid off. I also would have to say when I supported, We Three @ the triffid and I sang “I Would” for the first time and couldn't stop crying so the crowd put all there lights up! It’s something I will never ever forget and truly do believe it was my grandma telling me from above that everything is going to be okay. Supporting acts like Bernard Fanning and Cub Sport has also been surreal because I grew up admiring their music. Sharing a stage with them has been both humbling and inspiring.