Welsh wonder Hannah Grace has rapidly been gathering fans all across the UK and beyond. Her incredible vocals are the perfect match for gutsy blues, passionate soul, gossamer folk and everything in between. Her latest EP Mustang, released via Gabrielle Aplin’s Never Fade Records, sees her kick things up a notch and prove she’s a household name in the making. I was lucky enough to chat to her ahead of her headline UK tour.

Thanks for your time! You’ve recently released your new EP ‘Mustang’, are you happy with how it turned out and with the response you’ve been getting?
I’m so pleased with how Mustang turned out. I’m so happy with all the songs on it and absolutely love performing them live! I’ve had such a great response throughout the summer from festivals and gigs and I’m just looking forward to touring the songs soon now.

Musically it seems a lot bigger and bolder than your first EP ‘Meant to Be Kind’, more of the in-your-face blues than the subtle folk. Did you set out to make it that way or was it just something that happened naturally?
It was just something that happened really! I’ve always loved big bad sounds from bands like Fleetwood Mac and that old school soul sound. When I was writing and recording Mustang in the studio we kind of naturally went down that route with each song.

As well as the new EP you also have your first UK headline tour very soon, that must be a big moment for you? Are you more nervous or excited?
A bit of both really! But it is very exciting. I can’t wait for the tour as playing live is my favourite thing to do and always has been!

I personally first discovered your music at Barn on the Farm Festival. It seems to be a place that you have quite a history and connection with?
Barn on the Farm is honestly just such a wonderful festival! I’ve always felt so welcome – both as an artist and as an audience member! It’s just one big happy family of lovely people who want to support great music. What’s not to love! (I wish it was all year round – I would definitely live there)

Of course this year you were a part of the special Farm Band supergroup! How did that come about and what was the experience like?
I’m so lucky to have so many musical friends! We’ve always played and performed together over the years and collaborated whenever we got the chance. Barn on the Farm gave us an amazing opportunity to properly organise it and perform properly as a super group. I had so much fun, it was a dream to do!

If you could collaborate with anyone in the world who would you choose?
It would have to be Paulo Nutini. I love his songs – his lyrics are so amazing and I love watching him live! I saw him recently and it was one of the best shows I’ve seen in ages. I think collaborating with him would be a really interesting experience!

Who would you say are your biggest influences? Did you grow up in a particularly musical atmosphere?
My family are all really musical and I was brought up on the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few – as well as listening to the radio all the time and going to concerts! I was surrounded by music and I knew from a really early age that singing is what I wanted to do! Eva Cassidy is also one of my all time favourites and I never get bored of listening to her voice – definitely a hugely significant inspiration to me.

What’s next for you? What do you hope the future holds?
Well firstly, I can’t wait to go on my first tour in September/ October. I’ll be playing a show in my hometown Cardiff, so things like that are always special! But after that the plan is to just keep on doing as many live shows as possible and then continuing to write and work on new music. Keeping busy!

Massive thanks to Hannah and here’s wishing her the best of luck with the tour! Be sure to catch her live:
September
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham – Monday 26th
The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham – Tuesday 27th
The Castle Hotel, Manchester – Thursday 29th
The Louisiana, Bristol – Friday 30th
October
The Moon Club, Cardiff – Saturday 1st
The Lexington, London – Monday 3rd