Meet Hannah Hokit | Country Music Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Hokit and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
HOW TO KNOW WHETHER TO KEEP GOING OR TO GIVE UP?

I’ve thought a lot about the decision to throw in the towel over the past couple years, but I’m still standing here and very proud of it. For my career as a singer/songwriter, the competition is large and the recognition is very slim. Over time, the uphill battle has felt more like a never ending climb. I see friends and peers around me thriving in the music business and it’s impossible to not feel a little envious. I put my time, money, blood, sweat, and tears into writing and recording my music, just for it not to perform as well as I’d wished. I question everything I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I think a lot of people in similar positions to myself feel the same. Whether you own a small business online, just opened a store in town, or strive to create any type of business, the bad days never stop coming. I’ve had some of my weakest moments because of this passion, and still make the decision to stick it through. But why?

I believe it all comes down to a few questions you need to ask yourself– Am I proud of what I’m creating/what I’m doing? Will I be satisfied if I never receive the recognition I crave? Can my passion for this craft drive me forward through the tough times? Do I see myself doing this for the long haul?

These questions, while seemingly simple, can truly guide you through the rough steps of your career. They can show you just how passionate you are about your business and just how much you’re willing to fight for it. On the flip side, they could also show you that it’s just too much for you. You’ve put in everything you have and can’t bear to give anymore. It can help you realize and come to peace with that fact.

As for me, I say, “yes” to these questions every time. Even through the inevitable comparisons and never-ending “no”s, I know deep down that I’m not done fighting for my craft and I still have more to give. That lets me know I’m not done here. I must keep going. Granted, I go through phases where I have to ask myself these questions every day, or multiple times a day, just to remind myself of my purpose. But at the end of the day, they keep me confident in knowing that this is what I was born to do.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been writing music since I was just 7 years old. I remember listening to artists like Hannah Montana and George Strait on the radio and foolishly assuming that they wrote whatever they were singing. In my young and naive brain, I thought, “If they can write a song, then I can write a song”, I did just that. I wrote a cheesy song about some boy I had a crush on. In that moment, it felt so natural to me and helped me get something off my chest that I was deathly afraid of saying out loud to anyone else. Without even meaning to, I found myself writing more and more simply to express feelings that I was struggling to process.

Today, at 22 years old, nothing has changed. I write music when life becomes too hard to handle, or is so wonderful that I want to shout it from the rooftops. The extremes in my life are musical content. I get song ideas all throughout the day. Sometimes it’s a lyric or hook idea, other times, it’s a melody and I have to sneak away from everyone to record it in my phone right then and there. I’ve written songs in the car while driving home, while sitting in church, and in the shower. There is no “normal” way for me to go about it. If inspiration strikes, I will write then and there, no matter the time or place.

My songwriting has definitely evolved over the years. With my first EP, “Hannah Hokit – EP”, it was pretty obvious that I was younger and had more of a bubble-gum, pop country vibe. With my second EP, “Heartbreak City”, it was more mature, focused on growing up, and explored a new, simplistic production type.

Currently, I am most excited about what I’m writing. I’m exploring many different avenues when it comes to the content of my writing and the sound of my music. I’m leaning in a little to the rock aspect of country music, and truly falling in love with storytelling, I’ve kind of become addicted to creating these false realities and creating a world for those to exist in my songs. Of course, I’m still pouring out my own feelings and exposing the intimate parts of myself like before, but I think it’s really helping me grow as a songwriter to craft these imaginary characters and make people invested in their lives. I’m excited to get into the studio so I can finally share these songs that I’m incredibly proud of with others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A quick glimpse into my Dallas hot spots would probably start with what’s most important – food. I personally love the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park. They line an entire stretch of the park with a variety of food trucks so there’s something for everyone. My personal favorites are the street tacos and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. This is a super easy spot for everyone in a group to find something they’d enjoy. Not to mention, the park is beautiful, peaceful, dog and kid-friendly. Even if you’re not looking to eat, I’d highly recommend stopping by. Also, while you’re in the area, the Dallas Museum of Art is a quick walk away and is completely free. I personally love walking through to explore the different paintings, sculptures, and beautiful cultural pieces they display. If you love nature like me, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are an absolute must. Nothing beats the vibrant florals and stunning butterflies that you experience here. It is the most tranquil adventure you can have. On a similar note, the Dallas World Aquarium is a wonderful choice as well. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been here, but every time it’s just has fun as the first. The shark tunnel and the big cats are hard to beat.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a night vibe, my immediate suggestion is Louie Louie’s Piano Bar. You have to love music, and you have to enjoy having fun if you visit. They play the absolute best sing along songs, and you can even request songs of your choice. The energy is unlike any bar or club you can experience and I personally just spent my 22nd birthday there a few weeks ago.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people have helped me get to where I am today, but think it’s most important to give a big shoutout to my mom, Tara. She has been along the ride with me since the beginning. From driving me to Nashville to play the Bluebird Cafe, spending long days in the studio, to being my sounding board for the new songs I write, she has always been there. My mom comes to almost every show I play, tries to help me get my foot in the door in other venues, and shares my music with everyone around her. Most importantly, she is my biggest emotional support. I can’t count the times I’ve run to her doubting myself through all of this and she has offered a hand and a shoulder to cry on. I really don’t know where I’d be in all of this without her.

Website: https://hannahhokit.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahhokit/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HannahHokit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahhokitmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdhLTJ8174D0lrzc-how5EQ?

Image Credits
Benjamin Neumann, Capturing Joy Photography, James Gilbert, Trish Keck