During one of the last days of SXSW, I got to chat with Texas’ very own Hannah Jadagu. She grew up about 3 hours away from Austin in a Dallas suburb with her mom and sister, but has since moved to New York City to study music business at NYU. While being a full time student, Jadagu is also a full time artist and music-maker, a very talented one at that. Despite the big move at such a young age (18), Jadagu believes that both atmospheres influenced their music- making and identity in different yet influential ways.
“Yeah, I think moving to New York allowed me to obviously meet a lot of new people and experience a lot of different music that I wouldn't have heard otherwise, if I hadn't met new people, like friends and all that. But yeah, I think I think the move also influenced the music because it allowed me to view my upbringing in a certain light and allow me to just ask more questions like, so yeah.”
Music has always played a key role in Jadagu’s identity, from her childhood favorites to the songs that inspire her current writing process, music is always there. We talked about how her current writing style has changed especially after moving across the country and growing up in general, yet despite the change and growth, her music still reflects her.
“Yeah, that's honestly that was the biggest part is that I'm in a new city. I think my writing process has stayed pretty much the same in the sense that it's always like me with logic. Well, at first I had GarageBand, which was on my phone. So that was a bit like slower at times. Well, it was fast for me because that's all I knew how to do. But you know, if someone would call me like, it was disruptive, but now yeah, now it's like I get to, you know, right. Have my laptop open. I have speakers. I have a better guitar now. So I think the process is still the same in a sense that I'm just like freestyling and then seeing what comes to mind And then editing that and going with different themes and ideas. But now that I'm in New York, I feel like I definitely have a bit more to reflect on. Do you still like writing? Yeah, a lot of times I still write and produce, I definitely like to keep it to myself. At first, like, I don't really involve other people in on the writing process too much. “
Despite the physical changes in Jadagu’s life, she has kept the writing process familiar to her that still produces music reflecting on her.
“I think in general, I would call myself a pretty simple person. I don't ask for too much. And I think in my music, like, it's not that I spell it out. But I don't really work too hard to make anything to, you know, like, how, what's the word? Too hard to decipher? I think a lot of times, I'm just saying what's on my mind straight up. And I leave it at that. And, yeah, I think that's what's reflected in my identity and my music.”
There is a lot in store for the crazy-talented artist. She played a few new songs at her SXSW showcase, but has also recently released two new singles “What You Did” and “Warning Sign” in 2023. Her album comes out May 19th THIS year which follows with a headline tour. She was telling me about her recent support tours with Faye Webster, Wet, and many more. Even after only talking to her for about 20 minutes, I could tell Jadagu is extremely passionate about her music from the writing process to touring and I am very excited for others to see that once the album is released and tour is announced.
“I just want to say my album comes out May 19. So preorder the vinyl go see some music videos and hopefully like it. Thank you so much. Thank you guys.”
Thank you Hannah for sitting down with me and chatting! Safe travels back to NYU and good luck in school and music!!
