Spotlight: Heartbreaks & Hometown Blues, Zanne Hanna Shares Her Fourth Single “In My Dreams”
HAS A SONG EVER SOUNDED “LUSCIOUS” TO YOU? — Wait until you hear Zanne Hanna’s music. The South Florida born and raised songwriter, artist, and producer has been singing since she can remember. Finding a middle ground between organic and synthetic sounds, she was musically inspired by artists such as Sylvan Esso and Maggie Rogers (the latter is also her dream feature), while storytellers such as John Denver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift inspired her lyrics.
In less than two years, she’s released singles “Beach Blood,” “Ruin,” and “Before I Go.” Her fourth and latest single, “In My Dreams,” is based on some abstract ideas and thoughts jotted on the artist’s Notes app after the end of a long-term relationship. Before this, the artist has released plenty of original material on her SoundCloud.
Hanna began writing her own songs 12 years ago, when she first picked up an acoustic guitar. Although her career as a producer began as a senior in high school, she perfected the skill while attending Berklee College of Music. There, she graduated with a dual degree in music production and engineering, and electronic production and design.
Putting her music on the backseat during this time, Hanna mostly focused on academics, learning the technical side of recording and synthesis, determined to make a career out of it. After working in LA for two years, she moved back home and has since been inspired to start making and sharing her own music again.
Since developing her technical expertise, Hanna’s songs, once primarily led with an acoustic guitar and vocals, were enriched by electronic synthesizers and softer drums. At the same time, they kept lots of vocals.
“One thing I’ve always had in my music is lush layers of vocal harmonies,” she says. “That’s really how I bring a song to life and something I’ll probably always incorporate into my music, whether backed by a full band or a single theremin. I think the emotion behind certain lyrics is impossible to miss with the right vocal arrangement supporting it.”
On SoundCloud, you’ll find her four released singles as well as some additional tracks, including old demos and acoustic versions. Her favorites include “In My Dreams,” an EDM-inspired track about coming to terms with the reality of a toxic relationship, and “Ruin,” an arpeggiator-driven track that confronts the bitterness of regret.
The artist’s sound and songwriting style is in perennial evolution, constantly regenerated by new music she listens to and other producers she learns from.
“Honestly, I’m still figuring out what my sound and style is,” she shares. “I love writing and recording soft acoustic songs, I love any chance I have to work with a full band, and I love working one on one with producers to infuse our styles together. I believe I’ll have the chance in this life to explore genres throughout my career.”
“In My Dreams” was produced by Austin Atlas, whom Zanne considers “an incredible producer and musician and a hometown friend.” Having known each other growing up, the two reconnected over the summer at a popular local bar. There, the artist gave him the demo to the song, which Atlas made come to life.
Though normally the artist would do all of the recording, production, and mixing herself because, “well, I can,” she’s recently been enjoying working with other producers lately, which also allows her to give her ears a rest.
“Everyone needs support from time to time, and I’m starting to surrender these roles to people I trust and am really happy with these new collaborations and connections,” she admits.
In writing the lyrics for the track, Hanna was sure of one thing: “I knew without a doubt [that the abstract ideas and thoughts my lyrics are based on] were my own original ideas, not thoughts planted into my brain by someone else. Some of these thoughts were obscure. I remember standing at the beach and looking down at my feet and realizing I was inside my own body for the first time in a while.”
Once she got the hook for “In My Dreams,” Hanna placed the lyrics together like a puzzle, with a little help from her best friend.
“We were in the car talking about breakups,” she says, “and she said something about how it feels to grieve someone you love who is still alive. She said ‘to lose someone but not in death,’ which became an important lyric in the song.”
Working as a part-time barista, a gig that allows her to meet plenty of local artists, Hanna spends the rest of her week making music and hanging out with her family and friends. Determined to make music her full-time career, her plan is to save enough to support herself and potentially explore more music communities around the world.
Traveling the world while on tour is something Hanna thinks about a lot, as she’s yet to explore the art of live performance. She can see herself working with a DJ or a full band to support her songs and create an experience.
Beyond her first tour, Hanna is focused on developing a recorded discography and a social media presence, especially while living outside a major music city. She’s also intending to share more recorded music and adjacent content, and ultimately develop an international fanbase.
In short, Zanne is here to conquer the world.
