Five Minutes With… A Busker Hitting The Bigtime

Hannah T
Hannah Trigwell is a self-taught singer-songwriter from Leeds who found fame through uploading videos of her performances to YouTube. Having garnered 70 million views, numerous top ten international singles, and more than 500,000 total followers online, Hannah’s journey from busker to the big time is an exciting one with a promising future.
Now 25, Hannah began her career at 17 years old, busking on the streets of her hometown Leeds before being encouraged to upload her music onto YouTube. During her biology studies at the University of Leeds, Hannah released two EPs of original music, and toured the UK and Europe three times. During the same year as achieving a Biology Honours degree, she also won ‘Best Unsigned Artist’ in the Online Music Awards. We caught up with her for a Five Minute chat….

What Kept You Going When Times Were Tough? 

 I think if you are really passionate about something, no matter what comes your way it’s easier to keep going. I’m quite determined if I set my mind to something, being a professional songwriter and musician was something I’ve also wanted to do.

What women inspire you? 

My female friends and family are all lovely and really hardworking. Adele for her amazing songs and just being real! I laughed and cried and everything in between when I saw her live, she’s amazing. 

What advice would you give to young musicians out there who want to get their big break?

 Focus on making something great and then get out there! Busk, play open mics, collaborate, take every opportunity.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met so far?

I met Jacob Collier recently who is an incredible and innovative musician. Talking to him really inspired me to play with my music a bit more and experiment. 

We love the new single Another Beautiful Mistake, can you tell us what inspired it?

It’s about feeling out of control when a love turns unrequited, and wanting to somehow hurt that person that no longer wants you…

What music are you listening to at the moment ?

MUNA, Drake, Frances and many more!!

What does the rest of 2016 have in store for you ?

I’m on tour next week across the UK. Then in a couple of weeks I’ll be going back to Germany to record my next single or two… before I shoot the Another Beautiful Mistake music video! Then I have some summer festivalslined up, I can’t wait!

  • Emily Cleary

    After almost a decade chasing ambulances, and celebrities, for Fleet Street's finest, Emily has taken it down a gear and settled for a (slightly!) slower pace of life in the suburbs. With a love of cheese and fine wine, Emily is more likely to be found chasing her toddlers round Kew Gardens than sipping champagne at a showbiz launch nowadays, or grabbing an hour out of her hectic freelancer's life to chill out in a spa while hubby holds the babies. If only!