Louder Than The Music

Louder Than The Music have been able to get a quick word with singer songwriter Philippa Hanna. Philippa has just released her newest album "Taste". So keep reading to find out more about the great talent that is Philippa Hanna

For people who don't know much about you, tell us a bit about yourself?

What - you mean there are people who don't know about me? You're kidding, I've played at least 17 churches. Seriously, for those who I'm completely new to I'd say - I'm a female singer-songwriter who got saved about four years ago and has been expressing the Truth about Jesus through music and testimony ever since. I was raised in a non-religious home and becoming a Christian was a huge leap for me. I had gone totally off the rails as a teenager and was only redeemed by aspirations for a music career. My family was a show-business family and I was writing and doing session work for other artists from the ages of sixteen to twenty and after being led to Jesus by other musicians picked up guitar and a bunch of songs began to flow! I've been touring and talking about it ever since. I'm about to release my second album.

Tell us a bit about your new album Taste?

I wanted to make a bold, quirky and fun album. I've been raised on secular music and wanted to bring some of that influence into an album which is written from Christian experience but relevant for anyone. I love music which displays the life we have in God but doesn't exclude those who aren't Christians. Sometimes it might seem to those outside the church that Christians are pure and Holy and they can't fit in. I wanted to share that whilst God shapes our lives for the better, we're still a major Work In Progress! The only difference between Christians and non-Christians ultimately is that we have Jesus.

What was the specific inspiration behind your last album Watching me?

Watching me, sort of shaped itself out of my experiences as a new Christian. I was amazed that God is real and that I'd been forgiven and delivered! So the songs grew from that. I still love to sing those songs because I can never thank God enough for my salvation, and the words remind me of each small revelation God gave me in the crucial early days of being a Christian.

What's your song writing process?

Melodies usually come to me when I'm falling asleep. Either that or I'll find myself humming a tune I've never heard. It might just be a couple of lines at first. Then I usually record the idea onto the nearest mobile phone. With the new album I locked myself away for 5 days in a little chapel in Wales with just a gas heater and my lap-top for company. I worked through all my little tunes and lyric ideas and came out without about fourteen songs. Eight of them made it onto 'Taste'. We wont talk about the rest.

Which do you prefer playing Live or recording albums?

There's something special about the spontaneity of moments on stage. Also, the audience is always different and they really shape what happens. I'm really growing to love recording though - especially when you have the time to get creative. You can try out crazy ideas and when they work you can congratulate yourself with a cup of tea and a hobnob.

What's on your ipod at the moment?

A real mix! Everything from Israel Houghton and the new Breed, Mary Mary, The Gentlemen, a bit of Prince and a couple of songs by breaking band Portland to 'We're walking in the Air' by Aled Jones, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation involving Christmas, a vocal workshop and not much time to update things like ipods.

You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your ipod. What track is it?

Maybe 'we're walking in the air?' It might inspire me to believe that God will send a flying snowman to cool me down and fly me home. Failing that I think I'd choose anything by Switchfoot or Stevie Wonder.

What does the next year hold for Philippa Hanna?

I'm praying that God will take me lots of places so I can sing and play lots of songs to people. I'm REALLY looking forward to the new album coming out. We've got plans to tour this summer and I'll be joining the legendary Graham Kendrick on his tour at the end of the year. I'm also writing a second book. But with God in the drivers seat you never really know what'll happen next! So watch this space. Anyway how are you?

Read Review of her album Taste

Please check out Philippa Hanna's website for more details of how to purchase her album.