We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah May Allison a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hannah May , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’ve been singing my whole life, and grew up in a very musical household, so that’s really what got me started on this path towards becoming a songwriter and an artist. I first started writing my own songs when I was a freshman in high school (around 14 years old). I was in choir class, and every year they would put on a show full of original songs all written by students. I decided to try writing a song and I haven’t stopped writing since! There were a lot of different factors that went into honing my craft as a singer/songwriter. Sure learning the foundations of music, and taking singing/guitar lessons were majorly important, but I think the most important thing for me was my total obsession with writing and playing music. Once I started to write songs, it was all I could think about, and the only thing I wanted to do after school. I couldn’t wait to sit down with my guitar and work on something new. This might be the most overused advice of all time, but if you want to learn something, it’s all about the amount of time you put into it!
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 May Allison, and I’m a country singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN! I’m originally from the SF Bay Area in California, but both of my parents are from the south, so I grew up listening to a mixture of early 2000’s pop, country music, and a little bit of bluegrass. I started singing and writing songs in high school, and moved to Nashville right after graduation to pursue a career as an artist and a songwriter. Fast forward 9 years later, and I can’t believe how far I’ve come following this crazy dream of mine. My music has been featured on Country Music Television, Radio Disney Country, Women of iHeartCountry, and have received extensive editorial playlist support from both Spotify and Apple Music. I have always loved the songwriting aspect of country music and the hooky melodies of pop. I love blending those two worlds and writing songs that are catchy, but also meaningful. Right now there is a huge lack of female country artists on the radio, and so much talent that isn’t getting recognized in the industry. It’s a huge issue that is being talked about and I know that it’s only a matter of time until it changes. I hope to be a part of that change and to represent more women on country radio!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are so many simple ways you can support artists and creatives. Go to concerts, art shows, buy their work, stream their songs, follow them on social media, and spread the word to others about their talents!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As an independent artist, you never know what’s going to happen when you put yourself out there, and release a song into the world. When I get a positive response from a song I’ve released, it’s a feeling like no other. Knowing something you have created has touched someone in a positive way is the most rewarding part of being an artist for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/hannah_may_allison
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannah_may_allison/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahmayallison/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hannahmayvocals
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeDE6-Ba8063anCR5okV5xg
Image Credits
Libby Danforth