Hannah Grace and The Cure for Life’s Madness
For most people, the majick of Christmas is untouchable, unaffected by whatever goes on the rest of the year. Perhaps this is why we all look forward to it so much, it’s a time boxed off for everything that makes us feel good, regardless of what happens. Some years we need that more than others. Hannah Grace has released a song about that called ‘Always Been A Dreamer’.
Image Credit: Nat Michele.
We previously wrote about Hannah Grace back in 2020 for the release of her debut album ‘Remedy’. Singles taken from that album, ‘With You’, ‘Blue’ and ‘How True Is Your Love’ were all playlisted on BBC Radio 2. During the pandemic, Grace recorded live versions of songs taken from the album whilst at home, which she shared to her YouTube account. In 2021, Hannah continued her home recordings, releasing an EP of jazz standards entitled ‘Body & Soul’ featuring Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’, the Etta James classic ‘At Last’ and the Frank Sinatra title track.
Hannah Grace has had a long artistic affiliation with the Christmas period. She has regularly appeared at the annual Never Fade Christmas Party alongside Gabrielle Aplin, who she released an EP of Christmas covers with in 2018. The four-track EP was named after its original song ‘December’, co-written with Aplin and Luke Potashnick, and was expanded to six songs in a re-release the following year.
At the end of 2020, Hannah Grace recorded a cover of Shakin’ Stevens’ ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, and in 2021, a rendition of ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’, originally made famous by Bing Crosby. This year, she’s written her own Christmas song, entitled ‘Always Been A Dreamer’.
‘When I was a child, I always wanted to shine, I always wanted to be the best me I could be.’
‘Always Been A Dreamer’ begins subtly, not unlike her recent forays into the world of jazz on her ‘Body & Soul’ EP. The comforting piano chords and Grace’s lyric instantly conjure up memories of childhood, as if we’re looking at home video footage – ‘When I was a child, I was first by the tree…’ But it’s the first chorus that really puts you into that memory, into the frame Hannah describes as ‘that old familiar feeling’, the cosiness of Christmas, of home and contentment.
Though accompanied early on by a beautiful arrangement of live strings, it’s the addition of drums and backing vocals in the second chorus that give ‘Always Been A Dreamer’ a hymn-like quality. Like any good production, all instrumentation is in service of the song, and Hannah Grace’s voice, an artist who could sing the dictionary and fill it with heart. It’s heart that’s at the core of this song, bringing together that shared Christmas warmth or, ‘the sparkle of this time of year.’
Hannah Grace has had a busy year. Her 2021 standalone single ‘Wonderful Way’ was featured in US TV programme ‘Legacies’, and she released covers of ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical ‘Annie’ and a cover of ‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac. As well as playing shows in Paris, the Netherlands and at the opening of Richard Quinn’s new London studio, Grace has also played a residency at Camden’s Green Note.
Across two separate engagements, Hannah played six shows between April and June, then September and November. The shows were billed as ‘Hannah Grace and Friends’, featuring guests such as Charlotte Clark, Lloyd Jerwood and co-writer Kristina Karsegård (Nina Sundstrom). With Grace going on tour in support of The Wandering Hearts in December, Hannah will return to the Green Note for a final headline show this year to celebrate the festive season, with support from Chloe Foy. Tickets are available for all dates at the end of this article.
Continue reading for our Q&A with Hannah Grace. We ask about the making of ‘Always Been A Dreamer’, her Green Note residency and the upcoming tour with The Wandering Hearts, plus the new music she’ll be releasing in 2023. All this and more below!
Image Credit: Nat Michele.
1. You're back with a new Christmas song entitled 'Always Been A Dreamer', when did you begin writing the track? Did you sit down knowing you were going to write a Christmas song?
Yes, I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve released original music. I am so excited! I wrote it throughout the summer with my co-writing pals Dan Smith & Nina Sundstrom. It was always a Christmas song but I didn’t really plan it, it just kind of came out. I had the ‘always been a dreamer’ lyric from the beginning and that had always felt Christmassy to me. While writing it we talked a lot about how sometimes when you’re an adult life doesn’t feel as magical anymore and sometimes we just need that back.
2. The arrangement and the sound is beautiful, where did you record it and who else plays on the song?
Thank you! I recorded it with Ian Barter, a producer I’ve been working with a lot recently. He has a studio just outside of London in the countryside - it’s always a welcome escape to go and record music there. We worked on the arrangement together and I had more involvement in the production than any of my music in the past - it’s always such a creative collaboration with Ian and this track was no exception. I was lucky enough to have Dan Smith play keys who’s an amazing writer and jazz musician, and the wonderful Rosie Langley arranged and played all of the live strings. I’m so lucky to work with such talented people.
3. The Christmas period holds good memories for a lot of people, what was the best Christmas you ever had?
I am such a Christmassy person. I honestly can’t think of a stand out Christmas. They’re always so lush they just blur into one big wholesome, nostalgic memory. Since leaving home (and leaving Wales!) it’s always special just going home for Christmas. It’s always like a big sigh of relief to just get home and away from normal life.
4. This year you've played a residency at Camden's Green Note, what have been your favourite moments from these intimate gigs?
My favourite thing about them was bringing all my favourite people together. It was so sad in lock down not being able to see anyone and not being able to play shows - I just wanted to combine the two! All of the shows were wonderful and it was so great to hear so much new music from old and new friends. My experience in music has always been focused on community and that’s where I feel most myself, so it made sense to try and make this happen and I’m so happy it worked out!
5. In December you're embarking on a support tour with The Wandering Hearts, what are you most looking forward to about being back on the road again?
I’m really looking forward to travelling around the UK. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been up North or in Scotland and I can’t wait to go back and play my songs! I also just can’t wait to hear The Wandering Hearts every night, a tour full of beautiful harmonies is the dream!
6. In the middle of that tour, you're returning to the Green Note for a special Christmas show, will this be like a Never Fade Christmas Party?
I can’t wait for this! This show will be a celebration of the end of residency at The Green Note - this time we’re in a slightly bigger room in the same venue (yay!) so more people can join us. It won’t be a million miles away from the Never Fade Christmas party. For as long as I can remember I’ve played a Christmas show every year with my friends in Ireland & the UK so it’s a tradition I like to stick to if I can.
7. Your recent set at Richard Quinn's new London studio looked like an incredible event, how does it feel playing more unique sets like that vs. more conventional gigs?
This was a magical gig. I am so grateful to Richard Quinn for inviting me to be a part of this special evening. The setting was stunning! The main difference with these more unique events is that everyone is so unbelievably quiet during the performance, so it can definitely be more daunting than usual shows. But I’m always grateful to sing my songs to people who really want to listen.
8. You've put out a great selection of covers since releasing your debut album, some of which were collected on your 'Body & Soul' EP last year. What was the song that kickstarted putting that EP together?
I’ve always just loved jazz standards. I studied jazz originally at The Royal Welsh College of Music and I always wanted to record my own versions of my favourites one day. Lockdown seemed to be the perfect time. My favourite is probably ‘Every Time I Say Goodbye’ but it changes all the time. I’ve always been inspired by singers who make songs their own, like Eva Cassidy, Billie Holiday & Aretha Franklin, so I’ve always loved recording covers.
9. Next year you have a brand-new EP coming out, your first collection of new material since 'Remedy', what can you tell us about the new music?
I can’t wait for the world to hear these songs. I think they’re reminiscent of my older music but still a fairly new sound for me. The new songs are about living life in your late twenties figuring out love and friendships and just trying to focus on the good. Hopefully a little positivity for people while the world seems to be falling apart around us.
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Hannah Grace’s ‘Always Been A Dreamer’ is available to download and stream in all the usual places.
Purchase tickets for Hannah Grace’s Christmas show at the Green Note in Camden here.
To purchase tickets to see Hannah Grace supporting The Wandering Hearts, visit their official website.
Hannah Grace’s ‘Body & Soul’ EP is available to buy on CD and download on her Bandcamp page.
Support Hannah Grace on Patreon to get exclusive access to monthly demos, early ticket releases and much more.
For more information about Hannah Grace, including upcoming live dates, visit her official website.
Follow Hannah Grace on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok @hangracemusic.
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