Hannah Bug released her debut song Change of Scenery last week and we were fortunate enough to chat to her prior to the release.
As Hannah Bug geared up to release her debut single Change of Scenery a few weeks back, we got the opportunity to discuss how she was feeling about the release. Hannah is a Pennsylvania-based singer and songwriter, and it has been a long time coming for her to release her own music to the world.
Change Of Scenery is the perfect introduction to Hannah. The song tells the story of what life is like after a breakup and falling in and out of love while finding out more about your true self. Hannah’s soft gorgeous vocals compliment the song and its lyrics so beautifully.
Hannah has recently taken to performing in and around her home state but this is the first song she has released. We had the chance to chat with Hannah about the release of Change of Scenery and the inspiration behind it.
Hi, Hannah! ‘Change of Scenery’ is your debut single and it is beautiful, we absolutely adore it. How did it feel releasing your debut single? Were you nervous or excited?
Hello! That is seriously kind of you – thank you so, so much for listening and for featuring me here as well. Igenuinely really appreciate it. It’s interesting, as it is my very first crack at transforming something I wrote for myself into something recorded + produced + tangible, there’s a lot of new feelings, experiences, and learnings that come along with it.
I think on one hand, I had the singular goal of releasing music for so long, that it was really starting to boil up inside of me and just felt overdue. I was so eager to release ‘Change of Scenery,’ I didn’t anticipate or prepare for all of the nervousness, excitement, and weirdness inherent to sharing something so personal to yourself with the world for the first time. It’s like you’re taking what has only ever existed inside your own intimate safe space and allowing others to gaze into it, which I have found to be an interesting self-experiment. It’s scary and it’s vulnerable, but I also think that’s what makes it quite special too.
What was the inspiration behind your debut song?
The initial premise of the song is a play on the popular assumption that a “change of scenery” can be a kind of remedy to feeling stuck in place or hung up on the past. As hard as I tried to make that feel true, to throw myself into new things and unfamiliar places in an effort to escape my sinking state of heartbreak, I quickly realized that no matter where I go, my same old feelings will follow. The song progresses with my attempt to confront those feelings and finally learn who I am after the love story ends. It’s really an ode to learning how to fall both in and OUT of love.
With you also being an insanely gifted songwriter, are there any singer-songwriters that have influenced you?
(Wow.. thank you so so much🥹❤️). I am definitely influenced by Corinne Bailey Rae– I love the tone and richness of her voice, I think her songwriting ability is sincerely so advanced and unmatched, and her music is just absolutely touching. I am also super inspired by an up-and-coming New Zealand singer, Len Blake. I really admire the way she sings, performs, arranges her songs, and how she approaches promoting her music– everything under the sun with that one. Some other influences are Atta Boy, LOONY, Cat Clyde, and Olivia Dean.
If you could describe ‘Change of Scenery’ in just three words to new listeners, which three words would you choose?
Hmmm… Moody. Soulful. Coming-of-age (does that count?).
You’ve performed live a few times already this year and your performances are incredible! Is playing live something you enjoy doing? Are there any plans for a headline show now you’ve released your debut single?
Thank you, thank you! I started out despising performing, I was so nervous and shaky on stage, I remember googling “how to sing with a microphone” because I thought there must be some trick I wasn’t aware of. In reality, I was just painfully nervous and needed more experience. A wee six months later, I absolutely love performing– I think it is so cool + fun + a lovely way to grow more comfortable and confident in your own skin.
You can catch me at the Made On American Street festival in Philly and at the Philly Wine Festival, both on May 18th!
What else can your fans expect from you in the following year?
More, more, more of everything– more music, more words, more visuals, more shows (and more learning!😅).
Hannah’s debut single Change of Scenery is out now.
FOR THE FANS 