With big hair, a big personality and a big dose of southern charm that is heavily influenced by classic rock and roll, Hannah Dasher was a big highlight for many at this years C2C: Country to Country in London.
The Savannah, Georgia native who was born on Saint Patrick’s Day has penned songs that have been cut by Lainey Wilson, Brad Paisley and Ian Munsick to name just a few, whilst as an artist in her own right was named by CMT in their Next Women of Country class of 2021 alongside artists including Priscilla Block, Ashland Craft, MacKenzie Porter and Tenille Arts. Hannah has now started putting out music independently and in October last year brought out her newest project “The Other Damn Half” which you can listen to HERE and during her time in London, she sat down with Jamie where the two of them got along like a house on fire on her first trip to the UK.
What’s up friend, I think this is going to be fun. “I’m excited, I’ve heard you’re wild and that I would be totally underdressed.”
Oh behave! Look at you, I’m the one that’s well underdressed in my old school Britney tour t-shirt but I’m so happy you’re here. How weird does it feel to finally be here in London with us? “It doesn’t feel weird at all, it’s gratuitous. I’m very grateful, we had a great turnout this morning, I was blown away to be the first person on stage and see that many people out there.”
Had you heard much about crowds over here before you played? “The only things that I had heard about the UK and they are all good, is that people are so hungry for great music and people listen intently to the lyrics which as a songwriter means a lot to me so, I knew we would get along just fine.”
Did you find it very different to playing back at home? “The only difference was that I’m used to playing at nine o’clock at night rather than eleven in the morning so, I don’t think the bar was selling Bloody Mary’s yet.”
Hmmmm, I don’t know. I’m pretty confident there were plenty of people already drinking by that time. “Ha-ha I’m sure there were.”
In fact, there were probably guys that were still on it from last night and hadn’t stopped. “Ha-ha you bet. They were lively, they were engaged, they were fun and kind so, I loved it and the meet and greet was so much fun too. Let’s do it again tomorrow.”
The thing with you coming over and especially as an independent artist, it’s a really big commitment to get on a plane to come and see us. It’s a time commitment and a financial commitment but once you get here and play the set like this morning, do you see straight away why the UK market excites so many people in Music City and feel that it’s worthwhile? “Absolutely. For an artists morale, in order to create our art, our confidence is such a big part of the art that we create and doing things like this, being well received and coming into the buzz that I walked into here, I felt a lot of love in the UK for the last two months leading up to this. That’s all I needed to refuel my tank so that’s worth it for me, yes merch wise I’m not going to make any money but I love history and travel but the people are just darling. They are classy and kind, I’m sure you have got these bites from everybody that you talk to but I cannot wait to come back and do more because I think I’ve found some people that are my people.”
Putting out music yourself, you have complete control over what you do and when you do it. You can do what feels right at the time and your whole team are just looking out for you so, you are not a tiny part of a huge picture. “That’s a good way to look at it Jamie, it really is. I was just talking to someone backstage who was saying that their label didn’t like this and they don’t like that right now, but you know what the label didn’t like “Redneck Ass” and that is the song that the crowd were singing back to me. You test your songs out on the road because the label is not out on the road with you and the industry is not out there with you but the fans are and they should determine the music that you release. As long as they are singing that chorus back to me after the second time that I deliver it to them, I know I’ve got a song and that’s the music that I want to put out.”
That’s what you get with socials now too, you can test what people think before you go out and do it. Yes, DSP marketing and TikTok algorithm stuff is a chore but nowadays you have to engage in some ways with those devils whether you like it or not. Beyond the numbers it can also give you direct feedback from what the fans think and right now tells you that there is a market for you in places like London. “So many legends that I look up to came from here. I rode by Jimmy Page’s house yesterday and I’m going to go to Headley Grange and do a tour. I made friends with the owner as it’s a private residence now but I’m a big Zeppelin fan so rock and roll is a big part of what I do, like I’m a big fan of the Stones and things like that too. It’s such a big part of what I do, this trip is kind of a battery recharge for me creatively as a writer because I’ve been in a bit of a slump so, I’m pulling some inspiration from this trip because you guys did a lot of that first.”
I also say this to people that whilst this is a “work” trip when you come over, you need to go and see stuff because otherwise you go telling everyone how you had a great time in London but in reality all you see are Heathrow airport, the hotel you stay in, backstage at a venue and an Indian restaurant called Dishoom that everyone from Nashville seems obsessed with. “Is it really good?”
It is but, time to get on my soapbox here because to me it’s our version of Hattie B’s in Midtown where tourists rave about it but locals think why would I stand in a line for an hour for a curry when you can get it from round the corner without a queue and it’s still great. Same as if you hot chicken, you know there’s more than one place to find it in Nashville. “Yes, I’ve found a new hole-in-wall hot chicken place that I like and it sells catfish too. It’s called Hella Hot and Steve Harvey used to give out the Hoodie Awards for like who is the goodiest of the hood and she has a Hoodie Award but it’s a new place. I have a question for you, where’s the best place to get a Sunday roast?”
You would be looking for a pub, like a proper traditional old place and would probably need to come out of town a little towards the countryside to find a really good one but food is a big thing with you and I’ve seen all of your cooking videos because music is fun but it’s not a nice big cake though is it? “Absolutely, not everyone agrees on the same music but we all agree on food. That was kind of my niche on TikTok when the country was so divided during quarantine and I thought we need to quit arguing over all of this so we can agree on chocolate cake or can agree on buttermilk biscuits kind of thing. When you got to a Hannah Dasher show you are going to find people form all walks of life and I love that. I’ve got hippies, rednecks, gay, straight, crooked, level and I mean everybody there, I love it.”
I see you’re about to go on the road with a couple of rowdy boys who really bring it and have been over here a lot. “YES, them Blackberry Smoke fellas wooooooo!”
Charlie (Starr) was here in January, then all of the guys played the Roundhouse in Camden and The Long Road festival last year. “They are like our generations version of Skynyrd if you know what I mean and they always bring it. You must have seen them live by now?”
Yeah probably three or four times now, one of my best friends who is also my “helper” this weekend, except I have absolutely no idea where she is right now so I am not sure how helpful she actually is at the moment ha-ha, but she works for their label so, I stay pretty in the loop with all things BBS. They are so great, earlier this year Charlie and Paul (Jackson) did a pop-up show at the bar we drink at in North London. It’s called The Duke’s Head or some people call it The Dukes of Highgate and it’s kind of our version of Robert’s on Broadway. “You got good taste if that’s your bar in Nashville but it’s The Dukes of Highgate and that’s a good venue to check out here?”
Yeah we love it up there, they don’t do ticketed shows but it’s designed like an old school Honkytonk with all the neons, old school country playlists, PBR on draft and probably the only place in town with a decent selection of tequila so you should check it out if you have time. How did I get here? Oh yeah, Blackberry Smoke so, I’m sure going out on the road with those boys will be a lot of fun. “Oh my gosh, I’m such a big fan, I’m a fan of their records and if I could afford to make records like I wanted to, they would sound like Blackberry Smoke with the pedal steel, I guess Dave Cobb is doing those records and cutting them. I’m so glad that they are so popular over here and so well received. I’m hoping to try to come back and do some more shows outside of C2C, I’s been an honour to get to play, I’ve been trying for years to play this festival, it really is a bucket list thing for me.”
You have probably noticed already the attitude towards country music is very different, if people listen to you it’s because they go out of their way to do it and choose to listen to you due to how people consume music here so for independent artists and particularly the attitude towards females in country music is not as closed as things are in the States. “Really, I love that. I think that’s awesome to have some girl power. I think to Reba and how she picked the upbeat songs, then I tend to gear like that with the songs I choose for my live show but it’s also been great with this past record too, getting to introduce a vulnerable side to me with a song like “Ugly Houses”. I still come back with stuff like “Country Do” and “That Thing You Like” so, people will get a variety in a show on the road and I hope people can come and see me.”
Well fingers crossed we will have plenty more chances when you come back and see us again, this has been so much fun. I’m so glad you’re here and having spoken to so many people, you kind of have an idea of who will be wild and you will click with but girl you are even more of a delight to hang with in person. “I’m tickled over you, I think if we hung out a lot we would probably get arrested.”
I seem to have gained this reputation of being mischievous and a total wild child but I see it that I’m just really loud and sociable with no filter but saying that me and my friends are super pumped for Jake Owen later and we are so ready to turn into Sheila because we all know what happens when she gets on tequila ha-ha. “I LOVE IT! He just pulled me aside backstage when he ran into me and was like are you wearing my shirt? Me and him have the same stylist and this used to be his shirt, so I was like “Yes, I’m wearing your clothes” ha-ha. Well, I’ve had it altered because he didn’t have boobs but he is such a good guy, such a supporter of what I do and with his band, those guys are incredible so everyone that hasn’t already needs to go and see Jake Owen live. Then Charlie Worsham is here too so people need to go see him too!”
Charlie is so good, it’s just not fair on anyone else. He’s just one of the best players going and they see him as a triple threat here as an artist and songwriter as well as being a killer guitarist. This has been a blast so enjoy the rest of your time here, we definitely do need to hang out when you come back and we’ll try not to get arrested ha-ha.
“The Other Damn Half” from Hannah Dasher is her latest album and is out now which is available HERE. You can find details for all of Hannah’s upcoming North American shows by checking out her WBESITE or you can be the first to be in the know about any news of forthcoming new releases along with what she is up to by following along on INSTAGRAMTIKTOKTWITTER & FACEBOOK.
C2C: Country to Country will return in 2025 for three days of festivities in Berlin over the weekend of March 7th to 9th which you will be able to find further detail on their WEBSITE and on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK where you will also be able to relive highlights from this year’s event. The event will then roll back into London, Glasgow and Belfast the following weekend between March 14th and 16th which you can keep a look out for all forthcoming details at the event WEBSITE or socials (INSTAGRAMTWITTERFACEBOOK) with line-up details expected to be announced later in the year.