Hannah Delynn’s Trust Fall — “deep grief, loss, betrayal, and heartbreak, as well as beauty, love, generosity, and friendship.”
From Florida. How has The Sunshine State influenced your sound?
A few things come to mind. While I didn’t immediately experience it, my great-grandfather, on my dad’s side, and many of his kids had a Country and Texas Swing band called Pop Johnson and His Family of Range Riders. They moved to Florida from Alabama so my dad grew up in this musical environment. He is a music lover to the core and I think so much of his upbringing being around that music and all kinds of other music (like an obsession with The Beatles) definitely seeped into mine. Listening to him harmonize with hymns and Diamond Rio, Chicago, and pretty much everything certainly influenced my musical sensibilities and seeded my love of singing harmonies. Honestly, I’m only just realizing how much this influenced me. My mom also had a deep passion for music, but we were singing our hearts out to Amy Grant, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Whitney Houston. I’m grateful for the plethora of musical influences!
Family and resultant musical influences aside, another huge aspect of growing up in Florida is to be immersed in nature. It’s an eruption of sound, fragrance, color, and vibrancy, pretty much all hours of the day. Birdsong, frogsong, pollinators… daily thunderstorms one can set their watch to. This closeness of the natural world can create a slower, more patient, rhythm… if you’re open to it. Which I certainly was. In many ways, as a kid I felt more comfortable in nature and with animals than with other people… I felt an ease and peace there, a kinship. I think this is a formative aspect of my childhood that underpins my music and my life in ways I’m still uncovering all the time. It’s like that ol’ Jack Johnson line, “The wisdom’s in the trees, not the glass windows.” He gets it.
Life-long love of mythical stories and mystical lore. Can you share an example of how a specific myth or piece of lore has directly inspired a song?
It’s funny, I had nearly forgotten that I read this book… but pondering this question, I am reminded of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Among other themes, it’s about pursuing your dreams and the interconnectedness of all things. The idea of alchemy itself is baked into jealousy, though it’s more of an emotional alchemy. A melting down of a difficult emotion, a reframing and a resurrection of it, ultimately, as this divine compass, pointing us to our heart’s truest desires. My music is riddled with the “hero’s journey,” as Joseph Campbell calls it. Also, animism has really impacted my perspective on life. It’s a framework of seeing the world and everything in it as having its own divine spark and light… “Mind of God” is essentially an animist poem. I didn’t know the word at the time, which I’m tickled by. I finally have a word for what I’ve always felt to be true. Every tree, stone, river, and creature is alive and interconnected and worthy of being. I believe we’re all a reflection of the Creator/creative force at work in the world, discovering itself.
Spent time in New Zealand, Australia, and British Columbia on your journey to Nashville. How have your travels shaped your artistic perspective?
Wow, in more ways that I can even fathom! Moving to New Zealand at 18 was a major perspective shift, especially at such a young age. Getting out of my hometown bubble and directly interfacing with a culture and people whose upbringings were at once familiar and also quite different from mine was truly enlightening, as well as a rude awakening. By living in various places, the time and space to soak in a different way of doing life allows for new ideas to be introduced, to simmer, and to sink in. For curiosity and questions to be explored. For dots to be connected. Being willing to engage with the differences we find in others is something I feel has helped me grow immensely as an artist and as a person. It’s taught me to be more open-minded while also not shirking from my own truth. We all have something to learn from each other, so get curious and seek the threads of connection. If you don’t understand someone, ask. Perhaps it’ll create unexpected resonance instead of being a source of division. We don’t have to agree with each other all the time, but we can treat each other with respect. This is something I still work very hard to remember when functioning in my day to day life, wherever I am.
“I have now called Nashville home for over 11 years and have fallen deeply in love with this community. I owe so much to some dear friends who took me firmly under their wing and graciously showed me the ropes of Music City.” What is the best advice you were given when you were new to town?
It was less about receiving a piece of advice, and more observing their way of being. People who had the type of community I hoped to build — how did they move through their own musical world? By making art that is true to yourself, your own curiosity and what lights you up as an artist… that’s what builds a lasting relationship with art, even when the shape of it, and sometimes the medium, changes. Nashville is a curious combination of art town and business. The “big city with a small town feel” truly is apt, and there is so much to be unpacked within that sentence, particularly when it relates to walking the tightrope of the business of art and the art of business. Calling it a business is plain weird, really. Keep a lightness around that, do what you can to make yourself heard. Be true to yourself and be open-minded, be hungry and willing to grow. Don’t let setbacks define you, perhaps they’re helping you avoid what’s not for you. Feed your community and they’ll feed you. That’s what seems important.
Maya de Vitry (producer) listens while the team is recording at The Secret Woods.
“I write about matters of the heart and hope my words and songs bring you hope and healing and connect you with the beauty that is all around us — even when it feels difficult to see.” How do you balance vulnerability and privacy when writing autobiographical songs?
I’ve had to realize we’re all human and most of us have experienced the same tumultuous and beautiful panoply of emotions, by nature of being alive, regardless of our individual circumstances. Instead of being worried about hurting anyone’s feelings, or exposing myself, I’m learning it’s okay to capture a moment in time. When those more difficult subjects come to light, we’re more likely to be met with “wow, me too” rather than “geez, tmi.” When we lead with vulnerability and honesty, others can know that whatever they’re going through, someone, somewhere out there gets it. And they’re not alone. I know I’ve been so glad to see myself in other people’s art, putting words to things I didn’t have for myself at the time.
High Garden, Leah and Joel’s tea web store. “Think Hobbit! For all my fellow Lord of the Rings fans. One wonderful plant ally I want to highlight whom Leah specifically suggested is Hawthorn — “to strengthen the heart for trust and courage.” How else have they helped you through chronic health and autoimmune issues?
Oh goodness, it’s been a multi-faceted journey. I’ve been dealing with an autoimmune condition since I was 17, but I didn’t know what it was until many years later. As is the way with these things, I started to experience other spin off physiological malfunctionings which brought me to a point of desperation in my health journey. I was determined to find the “root cause” but growing weary of solo troubleshooting. Thank goodness I happened upon High Garden (back when there was a local storefront here) around this time. Leah put me on a deep cleansing protocol that cleared up some chronic issues that had been hanging around for over a year. Seeing how much it helped bolstered my spirit in tackling deeper issues. Plants and herbal medicines, especially alongside the guidance of people who know and have developed relationships with them, are capable of powerful healing.
“Often when I am in or around water, I find that the deeper messages I need to hear from within, well up and flow out… like they just needed a little space to bubble up. The waters are wise ones, and I do my best to listen.” What other sources of inspiration do you draw from for your songwriting?
That list is endless. For me, inspiration can come from everywhere, whether it’s people or places. Other songwriters and musicians. A story I hear, an interaction with another person. A conversation within myself. The natural world is a big one for me because it’s so vast and ancient and full of wisdom. Observing and witnessing people and beings as we interface with this world is a boundless fount of inspiration.
“For the Record,” communicating goodwill after a trying relationship. Why did you choose this song as the lead single off your debut album, Trust Fall?
Circling back to your question about balancing vulnerability and privacy, it felt important to begin this record — one that spends a great deal of time reflecting on the pain and grief we can both give and receive — with a sentiment that really belongs at the end, as it’s like a fully processed “bow on top” if you will. The work of getting to “I want the best for you, despite all we’ve been through” isn’t exactly a natural opener, but it felt important to communicate that right up front… even if for my own sanity! We all play our part, and it felt important to set a goodwill precedent before diving into the more… uncomfortable bits. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve historically been very reluctant to write songs about people that may paint them in a difficult light because, we’re all human and make mistakes and a record is forever… But I had to realize, we’re allowed to grow and this is a snapshot of this period. Ultimately it’s me being like — I don’t want anyone to feel condemned here.
The second single, “Blood Alone,” addresses difficult decisions in relationships when mutual respect is absent. What message do you hope listeners take from it?
For me, I had to admit to myself that a relationship wasn’t healthy. The goal isn’t condemnation, it’s honesty. Sometimes we overlook, dismiss, or downright deny what’s right in front of us because it’s too painful to see, for all kinds of reasons. Admitting it’s happening can be incredibly difficult, especially if the behavior is uncharacteristic and bewildering. We justify, make excuses, and want to give grace. That’s great, to a point. From there, I hope the goal is reconciliation and healing, if it’s mutually respectful. What I don’t want listeners to take from it is cutting out people when there’s the slightest bit of difference or confrontation. We need to be able to work through things with the people in our lives, we can disagree and dispute with respect. In fact I think that’s an incredibly important aspect of human growth and relational dynamics. Having said that, if there’s repeated disrespect, we have to reckon and act accordingly. So, this song is about the act of recognition, which is a really important first step I encourage people to be open to.
The songs reflect a season of “deep grief, loss, betrayal, and heartbreak, as well as beauty, love, generosity, and friendship.” Can you share a specific story or experience of a ‘trust fall’ in your career or personal life that directly influenced a song on the album?
There are many examples, but I’d say “Waiting,” the last song on the record, is an anthem of sorts. I wrote it after my mom passed in 2021 after a long bout with cancer, and suddenly all that seemed to matter was living a life surrounded by and appreciating my loved ones, as best I’m able, and living in a way that’s true to myself. Life is short, however long. Our society doesn’t make living this way very natural, especially the older we get. We have more responsibilities, more expectations about where we should be by when. This song reminds me that life is a gift, that it will end one day, and that it’s worth taking risks to create the life we want however it pans out. For me, taking small but mighty actions towards that life was often the way. Like not falling into a specific type of side hustle if it wasn’t feeding my soul anymore… saying goodbye to a relationship that clearly wasn’t working. Taking a deep breath and responding instead of reacting. Try something new. Expand, lean into a new way of thinking to allow new opportunities in. It’s getting more comfortable with the unknown. Simple, rarely easy.
You collaborated with Maya de Vitry and a ‘fantastic cast of Nashville musicians’ on Trust Fall. How were you able to bring the studio dynamic out in the songs?
I believe that flowed out naturally. This was a fantastic cast of musicians who also happen to be dear friends, so the comfort, chemistry, and support was baked in. A foundation of, well, trust, had already been built, so it was relatively easeful to capture honest performances in the studio. I’m so grateful for that friend-net, ready and waiting to catch what might slip through the cracks.
John Mailander accompanies Hannah at “Strange Handle” in East Nashville.
Music can create connections for listeners. Can you share a memorable moment when a fan shared how your music has impacted their life?
One day a dear friend, and really awesome musician, told me that my EP had really moved him that day. At the time I had just released “Making Friends.” That’s the sweetest and most simple thing, isn’t it? Knowing something you’re putting out into the world is actually reaching someone and touching their heart… helping to shift their energy, or even the course of their day, hour, or minute, in a good way. It’s a special and magical thing.
Hannah laying down guitar at the cabin in Monteagle, where the record’s tracking began.
“Above all, be gentle with yourself and be kind to each other.” What are some non-musical passions or hobbies you have that feed your artistry?
Did I mention I love being outside? Haha. I love to take long, meandering walks. I love to draw, paint, and write. Dancing is also my happy place, even just busting a move in my kitchen. Going on adventures, whether I have the chance to skip the country or simply over to the next county… gotta find time and space for play and surprise. Movies also transport me in a powerful way. I love a good film.