We interviewden de artiesten die op het 7 Layers Festival te zien en horen zullen zijn om je kennis te laten maken met de persoon achter de muziek. In dit interview vertelt Hohnen Ford hoe ze tijdens de pandemie haar passie voor songwriting ontdekte, welke artiesten haar creatieve proces hebben beïnvloed en het verhaal achter haar nieuwste EP, die opgedragen is aan een dierbare vriendin. Beluister hier ook haar nieuwste single "I Wish I Had A God".
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What was the point in your life that made you decide to pursue a career in music?
A career kind of crept up on me.. I have always made music and eventually the moments added up to it being a full time job! That being said, pivotal moments included accepting a place at the Royal Academy of Music and also committing to my songwriting practice in 2020. It was at that time I knew that songwriting was how I wanted to spend my life and stepped into the artist space.
Can you tell us about the most challenging period in your career and how you overcame it?
On paper, covid was the most challenging moment. My degree at RAM was very centred around live music and performing, so it felt pretty daunting to be graduating into a world with no live music in 2020. The connections I had built over my time there were all for live work so I moved home and took time to really assess what I wanted to say and do musically. I delved deep into songwriting, taking the time to invest in the craft and grow my self belief so I would be brave enough to share it! That time became invaluable!
Which artists have influenced you the most in your creative process?
So many! To name a few, Fiona Apple for her bravery, Merril Garbus (tuneyards) for boldness and strength, Björk and Beyonce for their ever-evolving artistry and longevity, Stevie Wonder for his joy and prolificness, Randy Newman for character study, Donny Hathaway for his time-standing-still voice, Shirley horn for her quiet power and musicality. There are many more!
What is the story behind your latest album?
This EP is dedicated to Imogen Shelley-Moore, a dear friend of mine who passed away last summer. Imogen was both a best friend and mentor who held my hand as I cut my teeth on love and life. This collection of songs are all centred around moments Imogen guided and supported me through.
I made the EP with Luca Caruso, a lovely friend of mine of 10 years and we spend the end of 2023 in his studio in Deptford assembling these songs with care. I wanted to build a sonic world that felt like me and elevated the song from it’s piano and vocal core!
I’m super proud of the EP and it’s so great to have it in the world on August 3rd!
How do you deal with creative blocks or moments of doubt in your work?
Keep showing up. My commitment is to my craft, which is much bigger than I am.
I try and keep 3 “selves” separate when I’m making things. One is the creative emotional self that pours out ideas and life experiences at the crux of songs, the childlike flow state. Another is the editor/the craftsman, adding structure or production or development to that creative seed. And then theres the ego, the judgement self that decides if this work represents me, how much more work it needs, which songs it lives with and how it can be released.
What's your favorite childhood memory?
Running about outside in the summer as the sun was rising before I had a phone or watch so had no idea what time it was!
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Nobody cares as much as you do.
What are two things still on your bucket list?
Make a lifetime of albums I’m proud of! Tour the world!
Beluister hier Hohnen Ford's nieuwste single "I Wish I Had A God"
Hohnen Ford
I Wish I Had A God [Official Music Video]