BECCA HANNAH – AN INTERVIEW WITH THE RISING STAR
Photo credit: Ken Webb
By Ralph Beauchamp
Becca Hannah is a artist whose music feels like stepping into a late-night cityscape painted in brass and velvet. Her sound blends the sultry warmth of classic soul with the emotional intimacy of contemporary R&B, creating songs that shimmer between nostalgia and modernity. There’s a patience to her songwriting — a willingness to let moments breathe — so that when her voice enters, it lands like truth whispered in confidence. You can hear in her phrasing the influence of jazz greats, but she never imitates; she reinvents the mood for the now, grounding every note in lived experience.
What makes Becca Hannah’s work especially compelling is her relationship with vulnerability. Tracks like “Caramel” and “Empathy” don’t just showcase her vocal control; they expose her emotional architecture. She writes from the inside out, drawing listeners into the textures of infatuation, confusion, and self-discovery. Her lyrics never overreach — they’re conversational yet poetic, steeped in the quiet ache of someone learning to trust her own voice. The production mirrors this sincerity: lush but never overproduced, with warm keys, subtle horns, and rhythm sections that move like heartbeat and breath.
Listening to Becca Hannah is an experience that lingers — she doesn’t aim for spectacle, but for connection. Each song feels hand-crafted, inviting the listener to slow down and feel. Her artistry lies in her restraint, her understanding that music isn’t just a sound, it’s a presence. If her forthcoming debut album, Tonight In My Dreams (out January 23), continues in this vein, Becca Hannah could easily find herself among the new vanguard of artists redefining what modern soul can be: intimate, cinematic, and absolutely human.
Becca Hannah was kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth interview.
AMP: Can you tell us a bit about where your musical journey began?
BECCA I’ve pretty much been singing since I was able to speak. I remember listening to Brittany Spears circa 2003 (I was around 5) and thinking “wow, I want to do what she does someday!” Although stylistically we are quite different, I was always so captivated by her badass spunk and confidence both on and off stage. I channeled that with me throughout my youth!
I started singing at school recitals and plays in elementary school. In middle school, I started writing songs for fun. I sang in acapella groups and played in bands in high school and college. I continued writing songs here and there, but didn’t have plans to release anything until COVID. When the world essentially shut down in 2020, I was home from college, and had no structure to my days. I was also an anxious, depressed wreck due to a multitude of reasons. Obviously it was a weird time for everyone. So I started honing in on my songwriting, singing, and producing skills, and began releasing my original music.
I fell more deeply in love with music-making and story-telling, and knew it was something I had to pursue. It would be a disservice to myself if I didn’t!
AMP: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
BECCA: My mom would play a lot of James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young when I was a kid. My dad would play a lot of Bruce Springsteen. Their voices feel like home to me. I also have this distinct memory of them both playing a lot of funk and disco for my sister and I. That definitely struck a cord in my musical mind, and likely inspired the soulful sound I’m naturally drawn to.
AMP: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
BECCA: A crossover of soul, jazz, R&B, and a splash of pop. My older music has more folk to it. I’m just exploring as I go.
AMP: What inspires your songwriting the most – personal experiences, emotions or something else?
BECCA: Definitely a mixture of both. My emotions have a mind of their own, and I’ve always been prone to overthinking and anxiety. I’ve found that writing and art making is my only way through. However, I’ve lately been SO inspired by other people’s experiences, and I’m working on crafting stories about other people’s lives with my own personal twists. I tend to internalize so much tension around me, and writing and creative expression are my only way of truly processing. When I’m not creating, that creative energy turns into unsettling, internal chaos.
AMP: What does your songwriting process look like from start to finish?
BECCA: It depends! Sometimes a lyric or a melody pops into my head randomly, and I’ll write it down or record a quick voice memo. Or, I’ll sit and strum my guitar until a concept or melody comes through to me. Or, I’ll freely write from a stream of consciousness state and see what sticks. Sometimes, the songs will feel complete in ten minutes. Other times, the songs take months. It’s kind of freeing to know that there’s never a one-size-fits all way to complete a song.
AMP: Do you prefer writing alone or collaborating with other artists/producers?
BECCA: I like both for different reasons. I like to write alone because it gives me space to explore parts of myself in a silent, private space. Sometimes I surprise myself with ideas in my solitude. But on the other hand, I also love hearing other people’s ideas and noticing how they inspire mine. It’s also cool to feel simultaneously challenged and encouraged. I feel so present and in flow while co-writing with others. Even if negative stuff comes up, having another person there to witness with me facilitates deeper flow. Our ideas form a symbiotic relationship.
AMP: Can you tell us about your latest single, “Empathy”? What message or story does it tell?
BECCA: “Empathy” is about holding space for others while staying true to yourself — honoring their experience even when it’s different from your own. It’s about being there for people without taking on their heaviness, and learning to stay rooted in your truth even when it’s easy to get swept up in theirs.
AMP: Is there a particular song of yours that means the most to you and why?
BECCA: Honestly, right now, “Empathy’ is most relevant to me. I’ve always struggled with people pleasing tendencies, and have had a history of prioritizing other people’s comfort at the expense of mine. Sometimes I’ve trusted other people’s opinions and perspectives more than my own. But writing “Empathy” and singing it repeatedly helps me reconnect with my ability to trust myself — to honor others where they’re at while still feeling grounded in my own sense of security.
AMP: What is the memorable thing a fan has done or said to you?
BECCA: A sweet elderly man once approached me after a show and told me that I was “deeply evolved” and that I “channel someone else” when I sing. He had deep blue eyes, and seemed very wise. It felt profound.
AMP: Where do you hope to see yourself two years from now as an artist?
BECCA: I see myself going on regional tours and opening up for the various artists I look up to. I also see another project underway… ideas are cooking.
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What a talent! Her vocal style reminds me a bit of the late, great Amy Winehouse. Your description “songs that shimmer between nostalgia and modernity” is spot on.