Blair Hansen Interview

It’s hard to digest that I reviewed – and positively at that – an album recorded by an artist who was born a year after I had graduated from high school. Either I’m getting old or 19-year-old singer/songwriter Blair Hansen has matured far more quickly than her peers. The answer is more likely the latter as her album Smile digs into emotional terrain that many teenagers haven’t learned to express as eloquently. The following interview reveals the adult heart behind the adolescent years.

Michael Sutton: When did you begin playing guitar?

Blair Hansen: I started playing the guitar when I was about 15.

MS: A number of critics so far have been mentioning your age — do you feel uncomfortable with that being an issue? In other words, do you think they’re placing too much of an emphasis on it?

BH: Yes, they do mention my age, but it doesn’t bother me. Because I’m ‘young,’ that means I still have some years to learn and grow.

MS: Describe the songwriting process to me.

BH: Songwriting for me is hard because I hardly get really inspired. But when I do get inspired, a few songs come out in a matter of a week. Sometimes I’ll write a song in about 30 minutes; other times it’ll take me a while. I’ll have to go back and forth to it until it’s just perfect. I’m most definitely a perfectionist. Also, sometimes I’ll come up with music and write lyrics and realize, “Hey! These would sound great together!” Then sometimes I’ll write lyrics and have to write music to fit with it.

MS: Would you consider your lyrics autobiographical?

BH: I would definitely consider my lyrics autobiographical. I observe the world around me, the love around me, and the people around me. Anything that I see or hear that interests me, I take it in and write it all down.

MS: What was your reason for calling the album Smile?

BH: Honestly, I just realized I needed an album title. I just sort of said, “Heck, just name it whatever name.” My dad and I decided to name it Smile at the last minute before it went into print. And now I’ve realized that it was the perfect album title. The song “Smile” is a song where there aren’t really any special effects. It’s just me and my guitar and a little bit of reverb. It’s raw, and I can’t hide behind any special effects. I guess the song really shows me completely natural. Also, I like to smile and I like to make people smile. I hope this is what the album does.

MS: Who is “Dance My Way” about?

BH: “Dance My Way” is about this girl I was really intrigued with. She is a ballerina and I called her “beautiful dancing lady.” The lyric “Dance My Way” was to tell her to, well, date me. Needless to say, the song didn’t convince her to “dance my way.”

MS: What are your plans for the future, at least in terms of your career?

BH: I hope to make a comfortable living from my career. I hope that with some of the money I make, I’ll be able to open a music school for those who don’t normally get the opportunity to experience and play music. A lot of people have financial difficulties and/or a lack of support from their family and friends when it comes to music. The school will offer music lessons pro bono and will help others make a career out of music. I believe music is essential in this world and everyone deserves a chance to create it.

http://www.blairhansen.com