Diandra Interviews Carlie Hanson: Genuine Connections, Genuine Music
Carlie Hanson is one of the most charismatic people you will ever meet because she is instantly open. She, immediately, treats you like you are her family, and it almost alarms you to have such fast and direct warmth from someone. While most of us reserve and observe others, terrified that everyone is “judging” us, Carlie is simply here to make genuine connections. In our interview, we talk about how music builds connection.
Diandra: What are your hopes and fears as an artist?
Carlie: All I wanted to ever do is connect with people, and make people feel less alone. That is why I fell in love with music; connecting with melodies and its messages. All I want to do is tell my story, and hope that it makes people eel better and give them validation. My only real fear is that I don’t do that or become something that I am not. I don’t want to get caught up in the wrong things that fame and success can give you, but I don’t see myself doing that. This my dream and its f**king coming true and I can’t believe it. So I’m not f**king it up.
Carlie Hanson – Only OneDiandra: Who in your life taught you the value of connections?
Carlie: I have a younger sister and an older sister and my mom and I are very very close. The three of them are the reason I am the way I am. We have the best relationship: all three of us. If I had grown up an only child, I would not be here. They taught me about love and connection.
Diandra: “Toxins” and “Why Did You Lie” have you calling out the negative of life, especially in people. What are the positive things you can say about yourself?
Carlie: I guess….um…..I’ve said this before; I am honest. I don’t like to bulls**t. The truth hurts but it gets you through things. Also, I am pretty positive. I like to look at the bright-side. I don’t like to be negative because you could sink into a hole. In high-school, I was really negative because I thought I would be stuck in my hometown forever. If you are continuously negative, nothing is going to happen for you. So, I learned, early on, that is not a healthy way to live.
Carlie Hanson – Numb [Official Video]Diandra: What has music, then, helped you learn or confront about yourself?
Carlie: DAMN! That’s a good question! Going into sessions and talking with other writers and producers about what I am going through in my life, I’ve learned a lot about myself. By the way, these are all older people that have lived a lot more than me. So I learned about who I am as a person. I learned about my sexuality, and I learned that I want to help people. I want to be a therapist through my music.
Diandra: What is one thing about the music industry that you are trying to figure out?
Carlie: When I am going to meet Justin Bieber? (She laughs!) I don’t know to be honest. I have been blessed with the greatest team of people that like makes me feel like life has been going too well.
Carlie Hanson – Toxins [Official Audio]Diandra: What are your favorite lyrics you have ever written?
Carlie: I would say, “Hazel.” I wrote it about a friend, back in Wisconsin, that was falling into the wrong crowd. I love all its lyrics, It’s like a conversation I am having with her. I am just asking if she is okay. It’s very real to me and raw.
Diandra: You are very open with your struggles with anxiety and how it is so common for your generation. Why do you feel it is so common?
Carlie: That is the same question I am continuously asking myself. Pretty much me and all my friends are on anti-depressants. For me, it really started in high-school. I felt so lost and I never really fit in and I thought I was stuck. For my generation, I think it’s social media that has taken a big toll on us; that constant need for validation. We are so worried about likes and comments and shares. I wonder what my mom was like when she was a teenager. It must have been a much more free world because she never worried about likes.
Also, I’m not hating on social media because there are good things. I can talk to my fans and I tell them to DM if they ever need someone to talk to or want to send me a picture of their dog, Whatever! I post funny s**t and they like it. That is the cool thing about social media; we can say anything we want to each other. We have so much access and it’s crazy. It has dark sides, but I don’t take for granted how it connects me to fans.
Carlie Hanson – Why Did You Lie? (Audio)Diandra: Well, I think the thing about social media is that now everyone knows each other’s issues or how many problems are out there .
Carlie: Yeah, and I can’t tell if that is a good or bad thing.
Diandra: What is you first memory with music?
Carlie: Ummmm… My very first real memory was when I did this talent show in my hometown. I sang “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, and I did choreography. My family came, and it was very meaningful to me. I got like 4th place, and now I am like touring the world. It is so weird to look back on that now. SO WEIRD!
Diandra: What do you think your upcoming EP will say about you?
Carlie: Um…I am excited for this. It has a lot more grunge elements and more guitar. This EP is 6 songs and they are all me. They are about how I have been feeling this past year since moving to LA. What I have been going through; this weird time era. I went from Wisconsin, where I lived with my family every day and worked at McDonald’s, to now living in a studio and doing music all day.
Carlie Hanson – Mood (Unofficial Video)Diandra: I know you did BMX for years. What move would you be?
Carlie: There is this move called “The Spine.” It is this super high jump. I am a huge air. When you first meet me, I start low, and then, all of sudden, I get super crazy, and then I go down.
Diandra: Working at McDonald’s, which menu item would you be?
Carlie: Honestly, I think I’m a 10 piece chicken nugget. Like, I’m not a quarter pounder. There is a lot of things happening there. I’m just like (lowers her voice)…. “Hey…. I’m a 10 piece chicken nugget!”
I burst out laughing.
Carlie: I live for these questions.
Diandra: Nuggets was a good answer. I thought about being a McFlurry because I am sweet.
Carlie: I’m a bit saltier. A bit crispier.
Diandra: Maybe, you are French Fry!
Carlie: Yes, I am changing my answer. I am a large fry!
If that last response does not make you like Carlie Hanson or want to see her perform at Brooklyn Steel on April 18, then you are a burnt hamburger. Click Here For More Information On Carlie Hanson.
