Hannyta one of the hottest young artists to come out of Scotland in decades, is currently taking over the music industry by storm. In just four months, she’s garnered over 50K Spotify streams and three foreign iTunes hits (including a Top 5 in South Africa and a Top 50 in the United Kingdom!). Hannyta, a 17-year-old singer-songwriter, is off to a great start in her career. On both sides of the Atlantic, the electro-pop diva with folk conservative views is lighting up the airwaves. “Wildflower” and “Make It Through The Night,” her first two songs, have gotten a lot of attention around the world.
The Scotland-based singer-songwriter has released 3 versions of her latest single and video, “17.”
Born Hanna Olah, Hannyta is a 17-year-old singer and songwriter based in the UK. Originally from Hungary, the talented young starlet grew up in Scotland. Having spent a lot of time with her Aunt from Florida, she has developed a love of all things American. After releasing a string of successful cover versions of songs by Idina Menzel, Rachel Platten and Lauren Daigle, among others, Hannyta released her first original single in October 2021. The video for “Wildflower” has received critical praise, receiving Film Festival selections, nominations and awards.
Today we had a chance to interview Hannyta about her journey into the music industry and her freshly released song, “17 (Houson Boombox Remix)”.
- How did you first get into music?
I think I can boldly say I have been very lucky to be able to work with some very experienced musicians early on. My piano teacher who also taught me singing was a very highly trained singer and vocal coach. He gave me the initial inspiration to become an artist, from singing Disney songs and musicals we slowly ventured into pop music and country music as I grew older. I was sixteen years old when I posted a piano medley and a few home recorded covers on YouTube which helped me get discovered by a local producer who invited me for an audition. Since then I have been working together with him on several projects. We published four covers and my first original electronic pop song, Wildflower, was just released on 22nd October by the Italian record label PA74 Music.
- What instruments can you play?
I played the flute for a long time but I quit that a few years ago so my main instrument is now the piano.
- Where do you see your musical career in 10 years?
I want to make music that has a positive, encouraging undertone and perhaps most of all an empowering message that fits the radio charts so I really hope to hear myself on my favorite radio station in one of the Throwback shows.
- Which instrument is your favourite to play?
Definitely, the Piano.
Which instrument is your least favourite to play?
I tried to play the guitar but I feel it is not for me so I guess that is my least favorite.
- What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist?
My deep love for music and arts and the appreciation of all the joy they bring.
- What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist?
One word. Inexperience. I am only seventeen.
- Who is your favourite musician?
Avicii, I love the soft melodic tone of his dance tracks and the awesome empowering message of his lyrics.
- What is your proudest accomplishment as a musician?
My debut single, Wildflower, was number 5 on the iTunes pop chart in South Africa which jump started my career as a musician. It was the first original pop song written by me and my dad. Because of that song my producer became my mentor and sponsor at the same time.
- What interests or hobbies do you have outside of music?
I grew up in the Scottish Highlands from a young age and all through the school years I loved all things art. I tried drama, played the flute and the piano, learned singing, drawing, artistic roller skating, ballet and modern dance.
- What is your creative process when making music?
When I have a topic to write about I play tunes on the piano to find chords and a melody, and then revisions. I listen to similar hits and try to find catchy phrases and technically hard bits to add and then record a rough demo for my producer.
- Tell me about your top performances.
I started singing last year in the middle of Covid so I have not had any live performances.
- Take me through how the song idea came about, the writing and production process.
In terms of Wildflower,the song idea was mine. I watched a touching 2002 war movie called Windtalkers with Nicolas Cage and it has made a real impression on me. If you have not seen the film I think I`ll be a little cheeky here and copy and paste the short description from my YouTube channel because it sums up the story behind the song really well :
“The Navajo language was an unbreakable code used by the US Navy during WWII. Despite the historical injustice that happened to the Native American Indians centuries ago the Navajos volunteered to fight for their country during the war. In the song a Navajo girl who now lives a modern life falls in love with a navy sailor and shows how proud she is for her cultural background and family. It is about the true love between these young guys and also in the modern world there is no place for a divide between people of any background.”
My dad loves poetry so he is usually a great help with lyrics and he came up with the Title and added a few segments to the lyrics. The final production was made in my producer`s studio and he did the mixing and mastering.
- Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?
I would love to work with David Guetta.
- Who has been your most influential teacher or mentor?
My mentor is my producer, he has over 30 years of music experience as a DJ and radio and TV producer.
- Have you ever taught or mentored another musician?
No, I haven`t.
- What was your worst performance?
I have not performed at live events, not yet unfortunately.
- How do you deal with disinterested or unruly audiences?
I have no experience in that.
- Do you prefer to work alone or collaboratively?
Oh, I love working in a team! I don`t think you can make it as an artist in today’s music scene, there are so many aspects of making your music and getting it heard that no one can do it alone. There must be exceptions but very few musicians master their own music and then there is management and promotion, style, make-up etc.
- What are your favourite venues to perform at?
I have not been to any venues so far.
- What inspires you as an artist?
All the beautiful and good things in life like friendship, love, relationships, the beauty you can find in any ordinary day.
- How do you nurture your own creativity?
I listen to inspiring music and follow the trends in my genre and I love experimenting a lot.
- Do you have trouble with performance anxiety?
I don’t think I would or will. Maybe a bit for the first one. I am confident and sing a lot. I have done a few live streaming shows which are of course not the same.
- What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
Pop, electronic pop, pop EDM and country mixed in all of that.
- How do you differ from most other artists?
I want to write interesting and unique music but I do not aim to be different from others. “I am only human after all”. Lol
- How do you think of your previous song comparing to this newly released?
My new songs coming out in May will be so good, I really love them and I see a progression here. I would love to be number one on the charts one day! I have had a few songs published written by other artists and songwriters but these ones are my own.
Don’t forget to follow Hannyta on facebook: hannyta.music on twitter: HannytaMusic on Instagram: hannyta.music
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