Fana Hues is Flourishing in her Own Ecostystem
Yesterday, Fana Hues announced her new project flora + fana, due March 25th via Bright Antenna Records.
Check out the exclusive interview with office below.
You grew up around a musical family, what was some of the music you grew up listening to and how does that impact your music now?
My mom and dad were born in the 60s, so there was a lot of soul influence that trickled down from them to me. I feel like its very prominent in my voice and the way I see music.
You’re really inspired by the matriarchal presence in your life, can you attest to how important they are to the development of your creativity and sound?
Being able to watch women have voices that travel gives me the freedom to just be. It only strengthens my creativity and inspires me to create more so I can hopefully be that example for those that follow.
As an emerging artist, what are some of the obstacles you’re facing?
Honestly, I’d say the most challenging thing is having to pivot when budgeting doesn’t allow for some of the ideas I have visually. But, so far I haven’t had to compromise anything creatively. Just sometimes the DIY can be exhausting, and also in the same breath, it can be more fulfilling.
And thinking back to where you were before when you were trying to get your foot in the door, what were some obstacles you face prior that you now have the solution to? What is the biggest advice you’d give your youngest self?
The biggest advice I’d give my younger self is to never sit idle. The only thing that can harm your creativity or the only way the well will run dry is if you stop creating. Period.
Whether it’s a collaboration, hitting a pocket in music you’ve been wanting to, or simply going on tour — How are your fulfilling your inner child’s wildest fantasy?
Honestly, everything I’ve been able to do in the last year has fulfilled my inner child. I knew from a young age what I wanted to do and i’ve been building the platform to do just that ever since. It’s crazy to think that at any given moment somebody somewhere around the world is hearing my voice.
In the new age of R&B, what makes Fana hues stand out?
I think being myself is enough to set me apart. The amount of polar opposite influences I have and openness to curating a creative process that nurtures them makes it so that I'm not in competition with anyone. No one has the exact view as I do, but it’s a human experience others relate to and that gives me free rein to explore and develop myself into a completely new being when I feel the need.
You’re a big writer in general, from poetry to songwriting— how do you determine whether something is just for your eyes and if something is ready for the world to see?
It's a feeling I can’t really describe. It’s a know really. I rarely have to question if something is for others to see or not. It’s usually blatantly clear.
What is the songwriting process like? What traditions do you follow to ensure it’s a good session and what intention is put behind it?
There's no method for me honestly. The best songs can come from me doing chores and singing to an instrumental or acapella. Then other best songs come from sitting with a producer and playing around with things together. I will say that pressure doesn’t make diamonds over here though. I wish I was better with that, but as of now, unnecessary pressure only breeds muck— songs I wouldn’t release.
With the newest project you put out, what intention did you put behind it? What were some of the overarching themes, and how long did it take to create this project?
With all my music and just the way, I live my life in general —honesty is always a theme. To live honestly allows me to create. To be my full self opens up so much that’s for me, I never miss what wasn’t.
With new music, are you're always in competition with yourself to create a new sound or are you always sitting on music?
I wouldn’t say I’m always sitting on music. I feel like once it comes out of me and I’ve made the thing. I move on. I don’t really look back at older things like, “Maybe I should put this out” unless I hear something that calls that same emotion back. Other than that, I'm always looking at what’s next and pushing myself to find that.
The world you create with your music is very complex, can you paint a picture?
The music I make is an ecosystem. It has all of the fixings to be sustainable on its own. My goal is to leave you full after listening. All needs met.
