Diandra Interviews King Hannah: Finding Your Perfect Creative Partner

For King Hannah, made up of Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle, their union felt right. Two talented musicians that found, in each other, the balance and artistry the other needed to create a dreamy sound, as heard in new EP,‘Tell Me Your Mind And I’ll Tell You Mine.’ In our interview, they gush over their admiration for each other and confirm that a happy collaboration fruits good music.

Diandra: If King Hannah were an actual king, what would be the name of their kingdom and how would they rule it? What would be 3 of their laws?

Craig: If I was the King, I’d appoint Bruce Springsteen as President and let him sort it out. I’m sure he’d do a better job that I would.

Hannah – (rolling eyes)

Diandra: If you could tell me your mind, how would you describe it and what was its last dream?

Hannah: I’m still working mine out!! I hope it’s kind and loving though. Last dream………..A few nights ago, I dreamt that I was really good friends with Rochelle Hulmes but then she didn’t invite me to her wedding! I was so hurt, because the guestlist was huge!

Diandra: What are the qualities of each other’s personality that you most admire and feel inspires?

Hannah: Craig’s the funniest person on the planet. He’s also really strong-willed and I admire the way he speaks his mind if he believes that it’s the right thing to say: both personally and professionally. He’s not one for keeping things in, which I think is the best quality ever. He’s also very kind and generous and has a lovely nature about him. He’s surrounded by a handful of really good friends too, all of whom are the loveliest people which I think speaks volumes about him. He’s a really good person and anyone would be lucky to know him! He can also pick up any instrument and make it sound warm and loving, I don’t think many people can do that. He’s a clever kid, basically!
Craig: Hannah is the most hard-working, kind and thoughtful person I have ever met. Her work-ethic inspires me every day. She’s passionate and very clear on what she wants and what she expects of herself, but it also very open to new ideas musically, so you get this perfect combination of vision and a desire to experiment, which you need to make any kind of art. 

Diandra: What song would you say most embodies the other from the EP? Why?

Hannah: Craig’s is The Sea Has Stretch Marks for so many reasons! With regards to his musical ability, he’s incredibly modest and humble and doesn’t have to shout in order to be heard. Craig’s incredibly intelligent with a great love for film, literature and songwriting (obviously!) and so, needless to say, he’s incredibly poetic and romantic. I think all of these things are encapsulated within The Sea Has Stretch Marks.
Craig – I would say Hannah is The Sea Has Stretch Marks, as well! I think in terms of Hannah’s warmth and heart this song comes closest to that. I think knowing how hard she worked on rewriting this song until it sounded how she wanted feeds into that as well. Hannah is the most hard-working and inspiring person I’ve ever met. She never gives in, and I hear all of that in The Sea Has Stretch Marks.

Diandra: Music is reflection. What is one universal truth you discovered through your songs and one recurring theme you have explored from your life?

Hannah: Universal truth is to always trust your own gut no matter what and I’ve noticed that I write a lot about the idea of wanting more. I’ve noticed I write a lot about the mind too!

Diandra: If you could turn a movie, book, or tv show into a concept album, which would it be and why?

Craig: I love the idea of a concept album based on a book that covers a large stretch of time. One of my favourite books ever is Train Dreams by Denis Johnson, which is about a labourer who is felling trees and building bridges in the early 20th century. This is how the novel starts anyway, but the story stretches over the rest of this man’s life. From the early 20th century to the 1960’s, it shows how America is changing and moving towards the world we know today. At one point, he even sees Elvis’ tour train going past him. I love the idea of a concept album that stretches over the amount of time musically, maybe even using recording techniques to make things sound like they are from a specific era and then with each song. As time is rolling on and advancing and things are changing, so is the music and sound of the record. I’m sure this has been done before, but I think it would be really interesting.

Diandra: Your music has been described as intimate and vulnerable. What is a song off the EP that most surprised you in what it revealed? What did it reveal about you?

Hannah & Craig: Honestly, more so than anything else, I think that the EP as a whole revealed how much trust and faith we have in each other.
Hannah: Strictly from a songwriting perspective, I learnt that I can turn an entire song, that I absolutely hate, into a song that I absolutely love. And I sometimes wonder if my love for the song is largely due to the effort that went into it.

Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory with music?

Hannah: I remember being completely mesmerized by the leading lady at one of the shows at Disney World and thinking how much I wanted to sing on a stage! I also REAALLLYYY remember learning Mel C’s harmony to her song with Bryan Adams, ‘Baby When You’re Gone’!
Craig: Some of my older brothers play instruments, so I always grew up around music, hearing the piano in the back room.

Diandra: Music is also about perspective. What is a perspective you would like to take up or explore in future music versus the perspective you take in this EP?

Craig: Well, we’re currently making an album, which we’d like to take more risks on than we did with Tell Me Your Mind And I’ll Tell You Mine. We’re also a little more confident working with Ted (Producer and synth player) this time around, which is a lovely feeling! We worked closely as a three producing and mixing the EP and so will work the same way for the album. Lastly, we’re exploring the idea of less being more. 

Diandra: If you could describe love as you would describe a creme brûlée, how would you about it?

Hannah: Warm and moreish – and tricky to find!
Craig: It’s hard to get right!

Diandra: From relationships to self-love, your music observes the dreaminess and disappointment of both. What do you find to be the dreamiest, most attractive aspect of love versus that hardest part? 

Hannah: Dreamiest part is having someone to share your entire life with and to look after and support. The hardest part for me is confidence! 
Craig: Having someone by your side and being by their side and the hardest part is knowing what’s best for you.

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