Introducing King Hannah
If you thought indie rock was dead, you might be wrong. This duo from Liverpool sound like some of the best 90’s bands but with a very strong and contemporary personality. We met them in London and talked about their art and philosophy.
Words David Saavedra Pics JC Verona
Hannah wears vest by Theory; jeans by CASASOLA; socks & boots (throughout), stylist’s own. Craig wears t-shirt by Handvaerk; trousers by Topman; beanie, Craig’s own socks & sneakers (throughout), stylist’s own.
If Hannah Merrick is the king in King Hannah, Craig Whittle is his queen. This Liverpool based duo is one of the biggest promises in the indie rock scene since they released their first single, “Créme Brûlée” in the City Slang label in 2020. A really powerful presence and impressive live shows strengthened the expectations, and also inspired comparisons with people like Mazzy Star, PJ Harvey, Portishead, Nico, Cowboy Junkies or Bill Callahan. Their debut album, “I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me” will be released next February, and followed by (hopefully) a long European tour.
Hannah wears Cheongsam dress, vintage; jumper by ASOS DESIGN; earrings, Mejuri; rings, stylist’s own. Craig wears t-shirt by Derek Rose; jacket by Dickie’s; beanie, his own.
How did you start making music?
(Hannah) “While working in the same bar together, I’d show Craig my songs before night shifts. It was a pretty slow but necessary process, which is a good thing as things worth having take time. From there, we built a band around the two of us and started putting our own gigs on, just so that we could get in front of a crowd. We’ve both been playing our whole lives, so the whole thing felt right from the very start”.
Hannah, you come from a North Wales town. How important was that upbringing in your life and what moved you to go to Liverpool?
(H) “I studied music in Liverpool, so that was the reason for moving. My sisters and I have had a brilliant upbringing, I consider us three incredibly lucky girls, we owe everything to our parents. They raise us to believe and are examples of, that if done correctly, anything is possible. I think that having this mindset from a very early age has undoubtedly aided my urge to pursue singing as a career”.
How’s Liverpool music scene right now?
(Hannah & Craig) “Quiet at the moment! Liverpool sadly seems to get missed off from the music scene with it being so close to Manchester”.
Hannah wears: jeans by CASASOLA; jumper by ASOS DESIGN. Craig wears: jacket by Dickie’s; jumper by NN07; trousers by ASOS DESIGN; beanie, his own.
“I love the idea of music sounding like a memory.”
Craig Whittle
Hannah wears: jacket, vintage; vest by Theory; jeans by CASASOLA. Craig wears: jacket by Dickie’s; jumper by NN07; trousers by ASOS DESIGN; beanie, his own; socks & sneakers, stylist’s own.
Many of your songs are based in childhood and youth experiences, family life… That’s not very common in indie-alternative rock songs. Why would you say are you so inspired by that?
(H) “I have so much love for my childhood, it makes me feel all warm and lovely inside. Most of the time, I don’t think when I write, I just start a very simple melody on the guitar and focus on what’s on my mind at that particular moment in time and if it’s good then I’ll develop it from there. I guess I just naturally write about home, it’s not always intentional”. (C) “I think a lot of the books and films and music I love has this undeniable nostalgia and sentiment floating within it, and that’s the art that draws me in most. I love the idea of music sounding like a memory, and most of my strongest memories are from childhood, when everything was so vivid and new and character-shaping”.
The first track in the album, “A Well-Made Woman” is a very strong statement, and also the last one, “It’s Me And You, Kid!”. It’s like making clear you’re a band singing about yourselves, your aims and dreams and your position in the world. But, are all your songs autobiographical?
(H & C) “Sadly, yes! I guess there’s some stuff you’ve just got to say!”
In this aspect, until what point is important to make the listener feel related to your songs?
(H & C) “It's always lovely when someone can relate to what you’re singing about, or be moved by a particular musical piece, but it’s out of our control really. We just have to make music that we love and we hope that it translates, both on record and live”.
Hannah wears Cheongsam dress, vintage; earrings by Mejuri.
In which ways has Covid-19 affected your development as a band?
(H & C) “We’ve utilised this time writing and recording, which is always a good thing! Never underestimate the luxury of time!”
How are your live shows evolving and what do you expect of your next tour? I’ve seen you’re gonna play Primavera Sound. Do you hope to play in more big festivals next Summer?
(H & C) “We love playing live so, so much. It’s when the songs come to life! Our UK tour was brilliant for this, it gave us the chance to figure out which songs translated well and which ones needed that little more attention. We hope to learn more from our next tour and put on a really really great show! We’re so excited about Primavera, yes!! We have SXSW coming up too, which is a bucket list one for us. Fingers-crossed for a festival-filled Summer!
Your music is very strongly inspired by the 90’s indie rock. How old are you?
(H & C) “We were both kids in the nineties, so we’re very, very young!”
Hannah wears jacket, vintage; vest by Theory; jeans by CASASOLA. Craig wears jacket by Dickie’s; jumper by NN07; trousers by ASOS DESIGN; beanie, his own; socks & sneakers, stylist’s own.
“Writing’s hard, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Writing a song that you love is the best feeling in the world.”
Hannah Merrick
Hannah wears: jumper by ASOS DESIGN; jacket, vintage.
I like when you name the actor Steve Carell in your song “I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me”. Is humour very important in your approach to music and life?
(H) “Thank you, that’s one of our favourite songs from the new album! Although we take this job incredibly seriously, and will be doing it for the rest of our lives, humour is always good and lightens every load imaginable! I don’t use humour on purpose when writing, these lines are just extensions of my everyday life and if it works, it works! We watched a film the night before I wrote this song which starred Steve Carell, who is one of the very few film stars whose name I remember quickly, so that’s how that line (I never remember names of big film stars/ Steve Carell I know though/ He makes us laugh really silly) came about”.
Would you say music has made your life better?
(H) “Definitely! To me, if something’s not challenging or difficult to achieve, then it’s not worth having. Writing’s hard, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Writing a song that you love is the best feeling in the world. I don't think anything will ever match that, plus I’d be bored doing anything else. Music’s everywhere, I think we’d all be lost and probably very sad without it”. (C) “Music has given my life purpose and direction in a way that nothing else ever could. From the moment I started to learn to play guitar it was like being let in on this massive secret, and it still feels like that now”.
Hannah wears dress by Topshop; jewellery, stylist’s own. Craig wears jumper by NN07; trousers by ASOS DESIGN; beanie, his own.
Credits
Photography JC Verona Styling Claudia Saadeh and Olivia Ayres Make Up Claudine Blythman Hair Leanne Millar Photography Assistant Dipu Mollah
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