Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hannah Crowley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hannah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Becoming a singer has been my lifelong dream, and I discovered this passion when I was just six years old. To chase this dream, I decided to explore the world of musical theatre when I was 20, during a summer program in London. It was eye-opening to realize that succeeding in this field required excellence not only in singing but also in acting and dancing, which felt a bit overwhelming for me, especially the dancing part.

This fear reared its head when I was asked to perform with backup dancers during an intermission at an LA Kings Ice Hockey game on St. Patrick’s Day. The idea of dancing in front of a massive crowd of 20,000 people was pretty intimidating, and my first instinct was to decline. But my friends encouraged me to seize this incredible opportunity, and I knew I had to confront my fear head-on.

In the lead-up to the performance, I threw myself into rigorous rehearsals, trying to etch the routine into my muscle memory. As the event day drew near, a mix of nerves and excitement overwhelmed me. Doubts about whether I could pull off the performance without succumbing to stage fright lingered.

When I finally stepped onto the stage, it was a whirlwind of emotions— and I was absolutely terrified. Despite the fear that gripped me, I made a conscious decision to embrace it and push forward. I understood the possibility of failure, with thousands of eyes fixed on me, but I refused to let that hold me back. Pushing myself to do that performance gave me a lot of confidence going forward and I’d recommend everyone to sometimes actively go outside your comfort zone to see what you can achieve.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Hannah Crowley, and I am an alternative pop artist hailing from Ireland. For the past six years, I have been based in Los Angeles, following a two-year stint in Boston for college. From a young age, my passion for singing was evident. I was fortunate that my parents enrolled me in weekly singing lessons and acting classes. My dream of being in a band led me to enroll in a contemporary jazz school in Dublin, where I acquired the fundamentals of vocal improvisation and jazz harmony.

An audition opportunity arose that allowed me to move to Boston to pursue a music degree, which I eagerly seized. While this move presented its share of challenges, I was determined to be an artist who composed and performed original music. Coming from a background rooted in classical and jazz, I initially grappled with how to embark on this path.

It wasn’t until I relocated to Los Angeles that I was introduced to collaborative songwriting sessions – the notion of entering a room with nothing and emerging with a song remains enchanting to me even today. In 2020, after several years of performing with cover bands and honing my songwriting skills, I had the privilege of refining my sound while collaborating with immensely talented friends during the lockdown.

In 2021, I proudly released my first EP, ‘REWIRE’, in addition to the aforementioned performance at the Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center for the LA Kings Ice Hockey team on St Patrick’s day in 2022, where I showcased my original song ‘R Father’.

The upcoming music I will be releasing this Autumn carries a distinct Celtic influence while staying closely connected to the alternative sounds that shaped my upbringing in 1990s Ireland.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

In my journey as a creative, I’ve encountered numerous parts that I find deeply fulfilling. However, if I were to pinpoint the most rewarding aspect, it would undoubtedly be the act of performing my own music. For me, performance serves as the bridge connecting one’s artistic expression to the audience. It’s the moment when a song becomes something outside of me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

During my upbringing and classical music education, I always aimed for perfection. Each note had to be flawlessly in tune, every inflection and dynamic had to be precisely executed. I participated in an Irish competition known as the Feis Ceoil, where every aspect of your performance was meticulously graded, and this mindset became deeply ingrained in me.

However, my perspective shifted when I enrolled in jazz school and delved into the world of improvisation. Initially, I struggled with improvisation because it required me to deviate from the strict adherence to written music that I was accustomed to. I came to understand that repeated failures were an essential part of the learning process. Embracing the art of failing became a valuable lesson on my path. While it has not been an easy one, the knowledge that it’s acceptable to stumble and learn from those stumbles has been instrumental in my growth as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hannahcrowleymusic.com
• Instagram: @itshannahcrowley
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahcrowleymusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hannahcrowleymusic

Image Credits
1: ‘Hannah Crowley Promo Photo’ – Sandy Rivera 2: ‘#1: Hannah Vertical Photo (1)’ – Natasha Austrich 3: ‘#2: Hannah Vertical Photo (1) – Natasha Austrich 4: ‘Hannah – White Background’ – Natasha Austrich 5: ‘Hannah Crowley – Bite My Tongue Single Art’ – Katy O’Kane