Photo Credit: Aleigh Shields

There has always been a spark in Hannah Wicklund. Knitting as a kid while observing music being made around her, she took it all in, and from that point on the likes of Fiona Apple and Stevie Nicks found their way to her record player. Today, she’s making a name for herself in music, having spent last fall on the road opening for Greta Van Fleet. Now she’s kicking off the new year with some new music a la ‘The Prize.’ We talked about not only the new music, but girl power, the science behind a setlist, and more in this back-and-forth exchange. 

Kendra: A musician and a painter, what initially set you down this creative path when you were growing up? Have you always just gravitated towards the arts?

Hannah Wicklund: I was very fortunate to be raised in an extremely imaginative and creative household. My mother is an artist and my father painted houses, but had been a drummer in a local band for years and just loved music. My older brother was also a musician, and I remember learning to knit at a bar watching him play when I was 6 years old.

Kendra: Looking at ‘The Prize’ side by side with your 2018 debut, how do you feel you’ve grown as a songwriter between then and now?

Hannah Wicklund: I feel as though with ‘The Prize’ I have found my stride and learned to truly trust myself as a songwriter. “Hell in the Hallway” and “Lost Love” are the only two songs on this record that are co-written, and I love them both, but I am most proud of the work I did on my own. The title track, “The Prize,” is one of my favorite pieces of music, especially lyrically, that I’ve written, because I was able to be completely vulnerable and tap into a deeply personal side of myself that I hope other people can relate to. 

Kendra: As far as ‘The Prize’ goes, you’ve said it thrives on this raw feminine power, which I love as someone who grew up loving the Spice Girls’ message of “Girl Power” so much that I went and inked it on my body forever. So I would love to know what women in music have helped shape your artistry over the years? 

Hannah Wicklund: There are so many women who have inspired me, ranging from Etta James to Stevie Nicks to Sheryl Crow, and Fiona Apple. ‘Fetch the Bolt Cutters,’ Fiona Apple’s last record, was actually a huge reason I really kicked things into gear when it came to recording ‘The Prize.’ 

It was during COVID, so things had obviously screeched to a halt with this new record, but all of the songs were written. Upon hearing her album, it was so raw and visceral, that I found myself relating to it more and more and it helped me get excited about recording this new batch of songs I had. 

Kendra: You might be too young, but I heard a lot of Vonda Shepard in “Witness.” She was the woman behind the Ally McBeal theme song, and I think appeared in the show throughout its run, but back to “Witness.” It’s definitely the type of song that grabs hold of listeners and doesn’t let go, but on top of that, it comes with this beautiful message of empowerment by taking the pain and utilizing it to heal. What brought about that realization and how did you then decide to translate it into song? 

Hannah Wicklund: I am not familiar with that, but I must check it out! As for “Witness,” I found myself needing to relinquish responsibility for a relationship and a man that didn’t work out. I think when we are young it’s very hard to not absorb other people’s qualities and anger, especially in your first relationship. You need to be responsible for yourself and try not to ‘save’ anyone, certainly not at the expense of your own happiness and stability. This lesson was learned the hard way for myself, and is what inspired Witness.”

Kendra: The video for “Witness” is so satisfying with the woodland backdrop, the chaos of the paint, and the wonderful piano playing. What inspired this fairy tale setting of sorts?

Hannah Wicklund: “Hell in the Hallway” was the first song off of this record that I had a strong visual come to mind. I knew the hallway was to be checkerboard and running the length of a castle. ‘The Prize’ paintings began unfolding within their own world; a castle floating on a cloud. With the video for “Witness,” it was a no-brainer that I wanted to capture the same essence of the setting I had been painting for months. Outside in the woods is such a freeing feeling, so playing this song out in the open air on such a beautiful piano was a dream come true. 

Kendra: It’s one thing to craft a setlist for a headline show, but do you think there is a science to creating one when you open a show to entertain a crowd that you may or may not be new to?

Hannah Wicklund: An opening set is almost like a tasting platter at a restaurant. I aim to provide different flavors and textures by choosing an array of songs that cover different aspects of my “sound.” There are the more rock n roll songs, the songs that showcase my voice, one that showcases my guitar, and then of course the solo songs I like to play which highlight my storytelling. I like to lay as much out there in a short time as I can, and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of winning new folks over with just a few songs. 

Kendra: Lastly, what can people expect in the new year?Hannah Wicklund: Besides a new record, I will be touring extensively on my Hell in the Hallway World Tour, and plan to release even more music, and perhaps even do something special with the art of ‘The Prize!’