Question and Answer: Hannah Leary’s debut CD
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October 23, 2009 • Hannah Foley
Filed under Feature, People and Clubs
Last month, Hannah Leary, a junior at FAHS, released her first CD, entitled “Source of Beauty.” Recently, The Signal’s own Hannah Foley sat down with Hannah to discuss her music, the experience of producing a CD, and her future plans.
Signal: At what age did you become interested in music?
Leary: Ever since I was six or seven, I remember myself being on the swing set singing the ABC’s. Ever since I could sing I’ve loved it.
Signal: Being a Junior, why did you choose to do this kind of production at an early age rather than waiting until you are an adult?
Leary: Because, with the music industry, it’s like you want to get started as soon as possible because it gives you a better chance of success. And why wait? It’s something I really want to do.
Signal: Who are some artists that inspired your music?
Leary: I guess a lot of the artists I listen to, like Something Corporate, Regina Spektor, Ani DiFranco, The Beatles; I love them. Also, other bands I listen to, like I also love Tom Petty and Jack Johnson.
Signal: How was the experience of recording yourself?
Leary: It was so exciting and I was happy to have the opportunity but it wasn’t like a rush because I’m so used to all of the songs, and I play them so often that it was more like practice. But it was exciting when I actually got the CD’s.
Signal: How are you musically involved? I know that you have done some musicals in the past… anything else?
Leary: Oh yes. I am in show choir and then color guard, which is kind of musical. Then also I am in the musical The Music Man this year, and I did a musical when I was in 8th grade which was ironically The Music Man so that’s lots of fun. When I was younger, I would participate in the Irving Young Children’s Theater in Whitewater.
Signal: Do you have a strong emotional connection with your songs?
Leary: Some more than others. When I was younger, I didn’t have a lot of real world experience and I just kind of wrote based on what I saw. So for those songs, I’m not really connected. But the songs that are based on real life experience, I have a connection with them.
Signal: So, would you rather be an independent artist, or you would like a back up band?
Leary: I have had offers from different artists where they were just like ‘Oh, we could help, we could come and play bass for you.’ So I think it would be fun, but for right now I need to find the right people, obviously, because a lot of people my age aren’t really committed like that.
Signal: Do you plan on making a career out of music?
Leary: Well, I would like to, but I always have backup plans. However, if I had to choose, I would like to play in different places. I gave my CD to a music producer who happens to be my sister’s friends brother. He still has to email me back about that.
Signal: What are your plans with your CD? Have you gotten in touch with any record labels yet?
Leary: I wouldn’t say I’ve exactly gotten in touch with anyone, but Ive played in different places and when people hear me and they sometimes say ‘That sounds good, and if you want I could record that for you.’ And I’ve gotten offers saying they could professionally record my songs for me and add different tracks and background instrumentals.
Signal: Have you gotten any feedback you have enjoyed?
Leary: I just like hearing, ‘Oh my gosh I love this song’, or ‘I can really relate to this song.’ Track 4 is called ‘Walk By’ and it’s some of my friends’ favorite song, so I just like hearing what people like about it.
Signal: How long on average does it take you to write a song?
Leary: Oh, not that long at all. I can write a song in about an hour depending on what it is. In just one night, if I feel inspired it just sort of comes. Sometimes people ask me if the words or the lyrics come first, and I guess for me it’s a package deal in my head. The words are already there I just have to write them down.
Signal: Popularity wise, how popular do you think your music is and do you think you have a fan club?
Leary: Well, the CD so far is not fantastically popular since it’s still rather new, but the people who hear the songs generally like them. And the fan base, I would consider myself having one because my friend’s little sister heard some of the songs and she just loved them. Every time she sees me she sings them and freaks out and it’s adorable.
Signal: Do you have interests in shows like American Idol and America’s Got Talent, and have you ever thought of trying out for these shows?
Leary: Well, I did have an interest in that before but once I got a little bit more information about that I didn’t really want to.
Signal: I’ve heard that you have to sign contracts with those shows…
Leary: Yeah, you have to sign contracts and sell your look and the songs that you’ve written. It’s like selling your soul to American Idol.
Signal: Were there any people or events that have occurred in your life that have inspired your songs?
Leary: Yeah. ‘A Way to Away’, I wrote when I was really mad at my parents so that one is a little more angry, but some of them, I just kind of made them. I actually wrote ‘Sixteen’ when I was twelve and it was more of me looking forward to what was going to happen. Otherwise, the songs have just been inspired by things that have happened.
Signal: What was it like hearing yourself?
Leary: Oh my goodness! Well, it is weird because I’ll be in my bedroom talking on the phone to my friends, and I will sometimes have the songs playing in the background, and it’s almost like there are two of me. And when I sing along with it sometimes, it’s just crazy. Or I’ll be on the computer and my mom will be listening to it in the kitchen and I can hear myself and it’s quite the experience, but I’ve become used to it I guess.
Signal: Would you like to be famous?
Leary: That’s debatable. I want people to hear my music and relate to it but I don’t want to be Hannah Montana famous or anything like that! I’m not sure if I would like that because I generally do not like being in the spotlight all the time and I don’t want people to criticize my every move. Like Jack Johnson; I love his music, but he’s not famous to the point where it’s overexposed.
Signal: If people want your CD how can they get it?
Leary: Just by talking to me. They are just $10 and I sign them for free, if that’s any incentive!
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