Becca Hannah is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, originally from Boston, known for her "smoky" fusion of soul, R&B, and jazz. Influenced by icons like Norah Jones and Amy Winehouse, her music emphasizes authentic storytelling and emotional intimacy. After performing at the Made In America Festival and becoming a 2025 Tiny Desk Contest finalist, she transitioned from acoustic EPs to expansive, live-recorded projects. Her debut album, Tonight In My Dreams (2026), featuring singles "Caramel" and "Empathy," was co-produced with collaborator Tristan Jantz. Hannah’s artistry is defined by its vintage warmth, soulful vocals, and a profound commitment to fostering community through song.
What non-musical thing (a book, a piece of art, a smell, a bizarre historical event) had the greatest unexpected influence on this new album/EP?
BECCA HANNAH: The sudden passing of my childhood therapist, Miriam, when I was 18! Pretty wild. I wrote a song about her called “Miriam,” and decided to make it the focus track of my LP, because her spiritual guidance she provides me shines through on every other track on the album! In fact, there are references to her throughout the album in subtle ways. My anxiety has been one of the biggest driving forces for my writing, and Miriam would encourage me to befriend that part of myself.
What is the one sentence “moral of the story” or life lesson that you hope a listener takes away from this specific body of work?
BECCA HANNAH: No matter how joyful or painful it is, this too shall pass and evolve. It always does.
Which one track on your new release has a private, personal “liner note” or backstory that fundamentally defines the song for you?
BECCA HANNAH: To be honest, I have personal backstories that inspired every song on the album. I will share the backstory for one of the singles that is already out, “Empathy.” “Empathy” is about my tendency to absorb and/or over identify with other people’s perspectives and/or emotional experiences at the expense of my own. I have always been able to convey empathy towards others effortlessly, but at times it has led me away from my sense of self and distracted me from focusing on my own responsibilities. “Empathy” is about reclaiming my individuality and my ability to trust myself while honoring what others are going through - it doesn’t mean I am experiencing it myself.
In your personal or creative life, what is the one difficult truth you keep having to “be a goldfish” about - using a short memory to forgive yourself and move past a failure?
BECCA HANNAH: Forgiving myself for procrastinating or struggling to manage my time efficiently. It’s been a life long challenge, but practicing self compassion is the only way through. This is applicable to both my personal and creative life. Looking back, the more I judge myself, the worse the situation becomes. Instead, I can use that energy for creating something new, or taking the next baby step towards a place I want to be. My thoughts can dictate my reality, so I have the power to choose wisely on where I put my energy.
What are you most genuinely and urgently curious about right now in life, and how is the pursuit of that curiosity currently driving your music?
BECCA HANNAH: I am BEYOND curious and passionate about astrology, and understanding people’s personalities and energies through their birth charts. I truly see so many consistent astrological patterns in people I know and love. It’s simply fascinating. I see how their strengths, challenges, and unique paths illustrate their astrological make up. Furthermore, no one sign or chart is better or worse than another. As I’ve delved into this passion, I’ve gained more of an open mind and greater appreciation for the differences between my loved ones and me. This expanded awareness has inspired the way I write about people and concepts in my songs, but I’ve only began to scratch the surface on this exploration. The way I perceive the world around me directly impacts the way I write. I’m excited to see how my perceptions deepen and unfold.