HANNAH BETHEL // THE ARTIST YOU NEED TO KNOW
HANNAH BETHEL // THE ARTIST YOU NEED TO KNOW
Climbing up a few flights of stairs, I stepped outside on the rooftop terrance. Needing to catch some of the warm Nashville air at a crowded record label party, I found I had lost my friends in the crowd. Turning around, I happen to be standing beside my soon-to-be dear friend, and most talented singer-songwriter, Hannah Bethel. We started chatting about what brought us to the party and all things music, country, Nashville, and purpose. You all know by now, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Every encounter is only as memorable as you draw it out to be. We soon found out that Hannah had written a song called Rhinestone Rodeo… I mean, c’mon?! I met with Hannah and her friends at a little East Nashville speakeasy to talk about life and get to know their personal inspirations. Though that was the accomplished agenda, I just remember laughing so hard while trying to catching my first lightening bugs while eating food + clinking cocktails! I had made friends with souls so similar to mine, living out their purpose and life goals hundreds of miles away. I am so excited to support such an amazing woman in country on her journey.
They say good people recognize good people, and this soul sister is one to watch. With the release of her two new singles “Train” and “Witchy Woman,” I had to sit down and interview this talented fox. With CMT “Artist’s to Watch” streaming her hit single “Train” since December 4th, you will surely be hearing this down-to-earth babe on your local radio so soon! Read the full interview below!
The Rhinestone Rodeo: First of all, congratulations on the release of not one, but TWO amazing singles right now! How are you feeling knowing all of your hard work and heart is being finally heard by new and old fans?
Hannah Bethel: Thank you! I feel SO good. I have been working on new music for a long time, it’s been close to 3 years since I’ve released anything, and it is such a joy to move out of the incubation and creation stage into movement and action! I have been in the midst of a great spiritual journey that has deeply affected my creation process. But it hasn’t been so much a rebranding, as it is a return to self.
TRR: What inspired the writing of your hit single: Train?
HB: When I got the idea for “Train”, I was in a relationship that was no longer serving either person’s highest happiness, but we were best friends and we had been together for years. I knew that ending it would break both of our hearts, but staying would slowly suffocate our spirits. How do you choose between a broken heart and a smothered spirit? Both of those sound terrible! I had this idea that if I were unstoppable, unbreakable, if I could keep moving forward without being pulled back by anything, I would have the clarity and strength to make the right decision. I wrote “Train” with my sister, Wynter Bethel.
TRR: You worked with Director Dawson Waters on the video for Train. How did you two get connected?
HB: I had a very strong vision for the video for “Train”, from the moment I wrote it. I spent almost a year looking for a video director that could help me fulfill this vision on an indie artist budget haha…I heard Dawson’s name through a mutual friend so I reached out. We met for coffee one morning and I liked his energy immediately. Three weeks later, me, Dawson and his girlfriend, Kayla, were driving my Saturn Vue to west Texas. We drove 18 hours straight, got in around 6 pm, and we started shooting that night at sunset. We all shared a hotel room and lived off of gas station beef jerky and taco trucks while we shot for the next two days, then we drove 18 hours straight back to Nashville. I still haven’t caught up on the lost sleep haha.
TRR: You drove to Texas to shoot the video… that is AMAZING dedication to your vision! How did you come up with the concept for the shot?
HB: I wanted this video to feel wild and unbridled. I wanted it to feel like dance/ americana. I wanted it to feel like the cosmic journey I have been on in the past year, crossing deserts and climbing mountains, through the dark night of my soul, learning to dance in the fire, and waking up to a new morning knowing that I am strong enough for whatever may come to be. Dawson and I came up with the story together, and he had the idea to chase a live train for the end of the video. I was skeptical and terrified. We decided to shoot near Pecos, Texas, specifically because we knew there was a train depot there. The afternoon that we decided to chase trains it was 107 degrees. We literally just drove along the highway until we saw a train coming in the distance, then we would park on the side of the road and race towards the train as it was racing towards us, probably terrifying anyone who happened to be watching. We were so close to the speeding train that I could’ve reached out and touched it. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done and I will never do it again haha!
TRR: You looked like an absolute dream in the video. What inspired your outfit?
HB: Thank you! Actually I procrastinated and spent the last couple days before we left for Texas frantically shopping around Nashville for something to wear because apparently I enjoy adding an extra element of fear and uncertainty to my life. The night before we left I still had nothing to wear and I called my best friend, Candi, freaking out. She invited me over and literally dressed me from her own closet. We came up with this neo-wild west meets new age hippie chick vibe which is exactly who I am. I did my own hair and make up for the shoot, which was no small feat in 100 plus degree weather!
TRR: Train is not your only song out right now! You recorded 'Witchy Woman' featuring Luke Marshall. Tell us about this amazing collaboration!
HB: Seventies rock is my soul food. “Witchy Woman” is one of my favorite Eagles songs and I’ve been covering it in my live shows for a few years. I have always wanted to record my own version, so this year I decided to just do it and release it for Halloween. My friend Luke Marshall is such a special talent, and also a member of my band, the Gypsy Queens. I wanted to showcase him and together we created something really spooky and groovy.
TRR: Witchy Woman also streamed for the first time on air right?
HB: Yes! The week before Thanksgiving it was played on 650 AM WSM while I was in the studio for a live visit. This is so exciting to me because we recorded this for fun more than anything. I love how people are loving on it! WSM has been so good to me. They also gave “Train” it’s radio airwaves debut a few weeks earlier. There is nothing quite like hearing your song on the radio!
TRR: As a singer-songwriter in Nashville, where are some of your favorite places you've performed?
HB: There are so many great performance spaces here in Nashville, it’s hard to choose. The Wildhorse Saloon, Third and Lindsley and Bluebird Cafe have been some of my favorites. I’ve been playing at a placed called Belcourt Taps since I moved to town and they have always been such great supporters of me.
TRR: You've been singing for how long? And writing music?
HB: For as long as I can remember! I started dance and music theater when I was 3, then moved on to talent shows. I started writing music and playing guitar at 14, when I also began playing solo shows around the northern midwest (I’m from Michigan!). I would play literally anywhere they would have me, shopping malls, coffee shops, fairs, smoky bars, country and western shows, backyards…you name it.
TRR: Getting your break on the radio and hearing your music played publicly for the first time must feel like such a reward for all of your creative hopes! What would you wish to tell yourself 5 years ago?
HB: Oh man, hang in there, girl! My journey in Nashville has been a roller coaster. 5 years ago I was nearing the end of my battle with Lyme disease, which took about 2 years of focusing on my healing from start to finish. I was blessed with a quick diagnoses, local practitioners and fellow Lyme survivors around me to guide me. This was followed by the release of an album that I am very proud of but didn’t quite feel like me, and a relationship where I compromised too much of myself. There have been many times in the past 5 years that I have questioned my path, doubted my strength and wondered if I am even good enough to be pursuing music as a career. Standing where I am now, I can see that all of these experiences have led me to the foundation of peace and self love that I am standing on now. And I am so grateful for everything that has shaped me. Now, releasing music that is so simply and truly ME, is the most gratifying thing I have ever known. I do not fear rejection and those who don’t like what I’m doing anymore, because the beautiful thing is, the more I love myself and know myself, the more I am drawn closer to people who truly know me and truly love me, and that is enough.
TRR: How do you find yourself most inspired when you're in a creative rut?
HB: By taking a step away. I stop trying to force things to happen. I let it go, get quiet and learn to tune back in to the flow.
TRR: What is a future aspiration you have for yourself?
HB: I can’t wait to play the Opry and Red Rocks! I have returned to writing solo instead of co-writing, which is the norm in Nashville. This has been so healing for my spirit and great for my creative flow. I have so many half finished songs that I am so excited about. I want to have a cooking show someday. And I want to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
TRR: If you could collaborate with any 5 artists tomorrow who would they be?
HB: Tom Petty is my favorite of favorites. I’ll have to wait to meet him on the other side. Stevie Nicks, Steven Tyler, Willie Nelson, Ruston Kelly!
TRR: Being a new "on the scene artist" who would you recommend people check out right now?
HB: One of the many beautiful things about living and working in Nashville, is sharing the journey with so many talented and inspired souls. Some of my dearest friends are artists who I love! Candi Carpenter, Towne, Kalie Shorr, Smithfield, Jenny Gill, Rachele Lynae.
TRR: If you can encourage someone dreaming of moving to Nashville to create music as a songwriter AND artist, what would you tell them to seek first?
HB: What a great question! Know yourself. Know your truths. Know your boundaries. Know your worth. I would encourage this of any and every human, not just artists and songwriters. When I moved to Nashville, I was a green, small town 18 year old. In a truly earnest attempt to be humble and to learn, I always assumed that everyone knew better than me. Certainly there are people with more experience or knowledge than I, but when it comes to my artistry, I am the only one who can know what is right. As an artist, you are the well from which every other player draws. Know yourself so that you can be authentic and create a life for yourself that nourishes you and those around you. Anything else will burn you out.
TRR: What is something funky about yourself that fans wouldn't know about you? Maybe some habits, pre-show rituals, or daily goals you set?
HB: I am a daily meditator! I like to change it up between silent, guided and moving mediation, but I find it necessary to make space to tune into the Divine and myself daily. I love yoga. I love to read. I am obsessed with conspiracy theories and the supernatural. I take a solo backpacking trip every year. I have a moment in every live show, where I look up into the stage lights and give thanks. I am so grateful to be doing work that brings me so much love and joy. Also my band and I have been in the habit of a tequila shot before our shows.
TRR: Where are 3 cities you want to play as goals for yourself? 3 Iconic venues in Nashville? 3 Outside Nashville?
HB: London! Los Angeles! Dubai! The Grand Ole Opry of course. Cannery Ballroom. The Cowan is a new Nashville venue that has been on my list and I’ll be playing there December 12 with Smithfield and Jaden Michaels! Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Thank you Hannah Bethel for taking the time to interview, share your inspiration, goals, and be so authentic! Your voice gives me such inspiration to continue shining light on women in country and I’m sure your music is about to inspire so many other women to keep true to themselves on their current journeys!
You Can Watch Hannah’s Two Current Hits below:
You can find Hannah on Social Media below!
INSTA: @hannahbethel
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mUIjM7G8fohMBSUzFpyxX
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/hannahbethel
SOUNDCLOUD: www.soundcloud.com/hannahbethel
Till Next Time Darlin’ xx Vee!
