Hannah Jane Lewis is the rising pop starlet who’s made big waves in the music industry during 2017 thanks to her sparkly brand of music.
Whilst Hannah has previously released a few tracks independently, she came into her own this year after releasing the infectious ‘Raincheck’ via Hot Hot Records/Polydor. Packed with a pop punch, and an eye-catching video to match, Hannah has truly made a stunning breakthrough. The track has also been remixed by the likes of Jack Fickle Friends and KC Lights, giving it an extra fizz.
Aiming to “wrap the world up in a big ball of pink glittery colourful energy”, Hannah has garnered plenty of support from the likes of Spotify, Radio 1, Popjustice, Buzzfeed, and The Line of Best Fit. The Sunday Times has even hailed her as the British Carly Rae Jepsen!
Following her sensational year, we had the opportunity to catch up with Hannah Jane Lewis to ask about her 2017. From her favourite things to craziest moments, here’s Hannah’s 2017 in her own words.
How has 2017 been for you overall? Can you talk us through some of your most notable moments?
Ah it’s probably been the best year yet! It’s been super exciting and busy. Some of the best moments were getting signed at the beginning of the year, releasing ‘Raincheck’, writing songs in Stockholm, hearing ‘Raincheck’ on Radio 1 – lots of awesome things.
What has been your personal highlight this year?
Personal highlight was when ‘Raincheck’ came out, because I’d been waiting for it to come out for a while so it was definitely a moment when it did. Also filming the music video for it, I covered myself head to toe in glitter which is probably the best thing I’ve done all year haha.
‘Raincheck’ has been a huge success for you this year – what does the song mean to you?
Ah it means a lot! It was the result of a really fun session with one of my good friends Nicole Blair, and this awesome duo called ‘The Union’. So it’s been awesome to share it with people I love! It’s my first proper release so it will always mean a lot to me due to that – it’s resulted in lots of new exciting ‘firsts’.
You’ve released remixes of the song – how does it feel to let someone else loose on your musical baby?
I love it! It’s been awesome to set that song free and let other people interpret it in different ways.
When was the last time you took a raincheck on someone/something?
Haha I had to raincheck on a plan last Saturday Eve because I last minute got invited to ‘Sink the Pink’ which I obvs had to go to (it was amazing).
You’ve been hailed as the British Carly Rae Jepsen, how does that feel?
That feels pretty dreamy because she is one of my favourite artists. I love how she unabashedly owns the pop thing! I get a lot of inspo from her and ‘Run Away With Me’ is a total jam.
Apart from ‘Raincheck’, what’s been your favourite pop anthem from 2017?
I think either ‘Say My Name’ by Tove Styrke or ‘Love You Like That’ by Dagny – both absolute bangers and I love them as artists. ‘Cut to the Feeling’ by Carly Rae was also a TUNE.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you this year?
The craziest thing is annoyingly a little bit of a secret but it’s something SO EXCITING that I just found out about! All will be revealed early next year.
What has been the most challenging or difficult thing for you during 2017?
I can be a little bit of a control freak, which is relatively fine in my non music life but I’ve found that it doesn’t blend well with the music side of things! It’s been a big challenge to just trust that everything that’s meant to happen will happen, and to stop freaking out about all the things that I can’t control.
What world event has left the biggest impact on you this year?
The Manchester attack at the Ariana Grande concert. I think that shook everyone, but being a musician it felt extra close to home. It was just really really sad, it being an event full of children and somewhere that people go for a bit of escapism. However, the benefit concert was incredible and so brave and just shows the healing power of music.
Who’s been your biggest inspiration this year?
Actually speaking of Ariana, maybe it was her! I have so much respect for her and how she dealt with that. She could have easily not come back to the UK and cancelled the rest of her tour – but she carried on, did what she does best and was a great example to everyone else. Love her, she’s a total babe.
We want to know about your 2017 faves! What has been your favourite:
Gig – Justin Bieber at British Summertime because I love him!
TV show – Stranger Things OBVIOUSLY
Musician – Tove Styrke, excited to hear her new music!
Album – ‘Melodrama’ by Lorde
Film – Ah I don’t think I’ve seen that many 2017 films, but I watched ‘Hidden Figures’ for the first time this year so let’s say that counts haha, such a good film!
Place to visit – Barcelona, I went on a girls trip in the summer and had the best time ever. I love that city!
If you could sum up 2017 in three words, what would they be?
DREAMY, GLITTERY AND EXCITING!
Christmas is coming up – are you on Santa’s nice or naughty list?
Nice of course!
Do you have any Christmas traditions, and how will you be spending the day?
Ever since I was little my mum has always read us a Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Even though my brother, sister and I are all older now, she still insists on reading one. We always complain about it but it’s actually really cute. I’m going to Florida for Christmas, which is where I used to live so it will be awesome to see all my besties and get some much needed sun!
What are your hopes for 2018?
I’m excited to release my next single, and I hope that I can keep building on what ‘Raincheck’ has started. I’d love to play lots of gigs, and do a festival season! I just want to keep working hard, writing songs and can’t wait to show everyone the new songs that I’ve been working on.
What can fans expect from you next year?
Lots of new music from me and a new single in the early part of next year! Lots of chances to see me play live too, which is my fave thing to do – and lots of pink and glitter as always.
Thank you to Hannah Jane Lewis for her time. Following a stellar 2017, we have high hopes that 2018 is going to be even more spectacular for her. We can’t wait to see what she has in store!
‘Raincheck’ is available now.
Keep up to date with Hannah on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.