Hannah Cohen has found her place
Interview conducted on May 16, 2019
by Daniel Locke
Hannah Cohen has arrived home. From the title of her new album to the depth and beauty of the music, the Woodstock, NY-based singer-songwriter’s third album Welcome Home displays a new level of confidence and comfort with the many creative tools at her disposal. Cohen’s remarkably evocative voice is surrounded by dreamy, swooning incantations, from the rippling “This Is Your Life” and the slow-burning, forthright statement of “All I Want,” to the soul swagger of “Get in Line” and dramatic vocal leaps of “Wasting My Time.”
With Welcome Home, “I don’t feel I have to cover up anything, or not be able to share,”Cohen says.“There’s less to interpret, I’m more visible. And as to reflecting on the past when things didn’t go well, I’ve left that behind. It was all worth it, to make my way to this point.”
Dan Locke: Who inspired while you were growing up?
Hannah Cohen: Lots of things inspired me when I was growing up, but mostly being in nature and being around animals. I had a lot of pets. Leopard geckos, fish, cats, dogs, a miniature horse. My mom would tell me to go outside and play so I would catch bugs and collect rocks. I had a lot of music surrounding me as well. My father is a musician and we always had musicians visiting or staying with us. I looked up to them a lot. It was always very welcoming and supportive environment. My mother was in the book arts world and was very encouraging. Lots of painting and drawing. it was a very creative household that’s for sure!
What did you listen to while growing up?
Jazz, rob, rap, disco, country. I Listened to the radio a lot. My friend Lauren and I would make our own mix tapes. We listened to everything and Anything really!
You are a Woodstock NY based singer-songwriter. How Is Woodstock NY for writing your songs?
My stress levels have lessened. So that helps ��
Why did you name it Welcome Home?
I felt like I finally wrote the songs I always wanted to write and it took me a long time to get there. It was a feeling like I had arrived at a place in my life where I felt home again and I felt things were back in place within myself.
You wrote many of your songs on an old nylon string guitar painted with Hawaiian scenes. Do you know the year and make of the guitar? And who painted it?
It’s a scene of two birds & butterflies perched on interwoven vines on the guitar. The artist signed it but I can’t read the name. My very close friend Gary gave me the guitar for my 30th birthday. I had a pretty terrible year the year before my 30th birthday and Gary cheered me up so much. The guitar always reminds me thing will get better with time.
How much of your guitar playing on the nylon string guitar was left in the final mix of the album?
On a handful of songs… it’s trickled in there throughout the record.
Back six years ago you worked with a director for three of your videos, Matthew Place. “ Don’t Say” “Child Bride” (which became the Crying Game) and “Sunrise”. Why did you pick him for the making of your video?
Matthew is a dear friend and I love his work so much. It was so inspiring to work with him. He has such a wonderful eye.
Your tour is about to start. Are you excited?
Yes! I haven’t toured in a while so I’m nervous as well.
What are your tips to stay healthy while touring?
Don’t drink too much. Explore every town you play in even if it’s raining. Get in some exercise. Avoid dairy, it’s not great for singing. Mostly eat vegetarian but go for some local meat or delicacy, except if it’s horse meat. Don’t eat horse meat.
Thank for taking the time to talk to us.
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