Life & Work with Hannah Fae of Battle Creek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Fae

Hannah Fae, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has always been my passion. When I was 4 years old, my mom took me to see my very first live musical “Annie”. Once the curtain opened I was immediately captured by the lights, costumes, and beautiful music coming from the orchestra pit. On our way home, that night, I told my mom that I wanted to be a performer. Ever since then, I have been singing, dancing, learning how to play guitar/piano, and eventually started writing music. I started reading music from a young age and was in choir my whole childhood. I was also involved in many community theatre productions as well as some professional. When I graduated high school, I decided to further my education in music and dance by attending Oakland University. I graduated in with a Bachelors in Fine Arts studying musical theatre performance.

During my studies at university, I had many late nights studying (and procrastinating) in my apartment. I often found myself picking up my guitar and writing mediocre songs instead of hitting the books. Eventually, song writing became apart of my daily routine and my melodies started to get better and better. Song writing not only was a great way to practice was craft, but it also really helped me get out all of these emotions I was facing in such a challenging part of my life. It was my first time living away from home, which was really hard for me. When I picked up my guitar, I didn’t feel so alone anymore.

Eventually when it was time to graduate, life had completely changed. It was 2020, and like most people, life came to a standstill. Instead of living out my NYC Broadway fantasy, I moved back in with my parents and brothers and quarantined along with the rest of the world. During my time at home, I had a lot of time to think, reflect, and most importantly, write. This time back at home allowed me to really come back to my roots, and realize what I actually wanted in life. More than anything, I just wanted to make music and tell stories.

Now, 4 years later, I feel as though I have really honed my craft and everyday the creativity pours out like it never has before. I spend my days, writing music, teaching voice through the Battle Creek Community Music School, and I am the choreographer for the theatre company What A Do Theatre. At night and on the weekends, I perform solo shows or shows with my band at local venues and festivals. We mainly perform all of my original songs and my debut album comes out October 25th!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is full of obstacles and bumps in the road. Nothing is ever going to be perfect. When I was younger, I had a whole timeline and an exact plan that I wanted to follow to a T. Now where is the fun in that? During the earlier challenges in my life, I used have this “why, me?” mindset. Well…that isn’t going to get anyone anywhere. It’s okay to be sad but it is important not to dwell. In a career that is full of endless rejections and competition, I try to take the rejection as one step closer to my final destination. For example, I am an extremely short individual (4’8″). During my career, I would often be told during auditions or performances “you are too short” or “you look too young…no one is ever going to take you seriously”. Instead of getting down over something I can’t control, I embrace the things that make me different and prove them wrong. Believe me, I used to be super insecure about this. The confidence didn’t happen overnight. But, my height is a part of me that makes me so unique. When you constantly get told the same thing (that has nothing to do with your talent) over and over again, you start to get a little fiery and bold. So, you better believe I’m going to embrace it now. Also, I look fantastic in a pair of sparkly black heels.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Singing and songwriting is my passion and emotional escape. To me, there is no better feeling than coming up with a catchy melody or a thoughtful lyric. Throughout the past several years, I have really started to take my songwriting seriously. I play my guitar or piano and write whenever I had the chance. Sometimes a song just comes to me when I’m least expecting it. For example, I have been struggling to finish this one song and today in the shower I finished it in 5 minutes. That was a great feeling.

I have been working on original music in the studio for the past year and I have two songs already out on all streaming services. These songs are called ‘The Way You Look at Me’ and ‘Vicious Mockery’. Recording in the studio is such a magical experience. Creativity is just bouncing off of the walls in there. All of my songs have so far been recorded at La Luna Recording and Sound in Kalamazoo, MI. The project I am most proud of is my upcoming debut album ‘Underneath the Terracotta Moon’. This album will be available everywhere on October 25th. Without giving too much away, this is an indie folk album that includes themes of connection oneself with nature, love, the game Dungeons and Dragons (believe it or not), and self discovery. Every song was recorded entirely with live instrumentation.

This summer I have been working incredibly hard and I am so grateful to be able to do so. I have been offered more live performance opportunities this year than ever before. I try to take on as many as I can while still taking care of myself. During these shows, I often play my originals and people really seem to love the music. Sharing my stories with the people of my community and hearing how my lyrics resonate with them is one of the most amazing feelings in the world.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned (and that I am honestly still learning) is to take everything one day at a time. It is very easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to thinking about the future. I would often ask myself questions like “is it too late?” “am I even good enough?” or “how am I going to pull this off?”. Live in the present and focus on nurturing the current version of yourself. If you take baby steps forward every day you will have eventually traveled farther than you would have ever expected.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hannahfae.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincerelyhannahfae/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahfaithstevens
• Twitter: https://x.com/hannahfstevens?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sincerelyhannahfae
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/hannahstevensmusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SNGyCjTUU3cpqk9dmzmby?si=NGCguchxSfSsa2j_WuYHwA