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Hania Rani is a pianist and composer born in Poland. She has collaborated with artists such as Christian Löffler, Dobrawa Czocher, Hior Chronik and released her first solo album Esja this year.
Tomorrow night, she will be at Salon IKSV with her first ever solo performance and we had a chance to chat with her while she was in Tokyo.
Enjoy!
First of all, can you please tell us how you started this journey, how and when you decide to make music?
I didn't decide by my own to be honest. When I was seven years old my mother brought me to the music school in my town. I passed the exams and they took me to the piano class. In the beginning I wasn't very interested but then it got better . At the age of 10 I decided to become a professional pianist.
You were born in Warsaw, right? What are the pros and cons to raise there, as a musician?
I was born in Gdańsk, a beautiful hanseatic city in the North of Poland. I finished there twelve years of music school, then I moved to Warsaw to start my studies. In Poland, in general, you can feel a strong traditional impact on culture and music. We have many amazing musicians especially in genre of classical music and jazz. I was studying piano so it was all about Chopin music and taking part in Chopin competition one day - as an professional pianist. I was also dreaming about it and was following the contests and its winners through years. On the other hand the music scene for classical music is not very big and not many people attend and are really interested in more ambitious music than cheap pop in the radio. But it is slowly starting to change. We have lost a lot of intellectuals and other wise people during the wars and communism times so rebuilding the awareness about the importance of culture will take a bit more time, then in other western European countries.
How is the musical atmosphere in Poland?
It's getting interesting. There are bands who want to make things against rules or trends, they just follow the spirit and music. I can see how the music market have been growing since last few years and it has a lot to offer. I can see that more and more polish artists are spreading their talent abroad, signing contracts with foreign labels or agents.
Your solo debut album "Esja" released early this year. What does the name "esja" mean?
Esja is a name of the mountain in Reykjavik in Iceland.
Can you please tell us the song writing and recording process?
Maybe that is surprising but I try to improvise a lot and record. I noticed that the most uneven things come to me when I am not planning to much, overthinking. The best come when I am focused, concentrated but relaxed. Listening all ears and observing what hints the instrument gives me. During the last few years I have opportunity to record a lot, sometimes the mics stand in my room many days. I am lucky to have as a friend a sound engineer - Piotr Wieczorek. We started to spent our free time checking new mics and positions, new sound possibilities. It was just curiosity in the moment - the question if we can repeat the sound from the albums of our masters. I actually love recording process. I learnt to be relaxed and don't be afraid to greet the unexpected notes or phrases. We try to catch the moments, not only notes.
What is the feeling like, when you play solo on piano and when you play with a band? Is it more emotional to be alone on stage?
When you are playing the solo set you are just alone on the stage, as an artist but also human being. You are naked, have nothing to hide behind. But also you are free and when you are good all the appreciation comes only to one person :)
I love to have chance to change from time to time. Playing with the band is always refreshing, and also you can have fun all together and learn from each other. Even when you are a leader from time to time you can have a breath and moment of break, when somebody else is taking a solo part.
You will perform your first Istanbul show on 6th December at Salon. What do you feel about this concert? Do you know anything about Istanbul or Turkish music scene?
I am very very happy! Year and a half I have performed there with my friend Hior Chronic. I stayed 2 days more and had opportunity to meet some turkish people and see a bit of the city. It's absolutely mesmerizing place, full of colours, scents and kind people. I am really happy to be back with my own music and hope that the listeners will like it.
What are your plans for near future?
I am finishing my 2nd album now. In the meanwhile I am still touring with "Esja" and it was extremely busy time for me last months. We are already planning the next tour, but before, in the beginning of 2020 I am planning to have also a bit of holidays.
Which bands / musicians do you listen nowadays?
A lot. I a always trying to find something new but I am also loyal to my favorite artists like Portico Quartet, Nils Frahm or Agnes Obel.
What was the last concert you attended and the concert that you can't forget?
I attended the concert just today, here in Tokyo where I am currently. It was the first day of the Piano Era Festival. From the concerts I can't forget... I guess one of the live shows of Nils Frahm which always have a huge impact on me, or my first time seeing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds live? I will never forget also seeing Son Lux many years ago in Warsaw, when they played there for the first time in a small club for 200 people. Two years later I have seen them again in the venue for 2000 people. They were really surprised.
Is there anything that you are passionate about except music?
I love architecture, design, books, photography, niche movies, nature, good coffee and even better company.
Thank you very much!
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