Friendships, love, optimism, and reflection are among the themes Hope Tala explores in her debut album, ‘Hope Handwritten.’
As an artist, Hope Tala has a remarkable ability to resonate with her listeners through her profound songwriting and storytelling. Her candidness serves as a powerful means of connecting with her audience, inspiring conversation and reflection.
With three prior EPs already released, Hope has continually refined her skills and broadened her audience, making this debut album highly anticipated. She has clearly learned from the artists and writers who preceded her while also drawing inspiration from her contemporary peers.
Writing and literature have consistently fueled her creativity, a trait that sets ‘Hope Handwritten’ apart from many of her contemporaries.
As a rising star on the brink of mainstream success, she speaks with CLASH about the significance of maintaining a strong support network, her desire to infuse hope into her life and music, and her excitement about the songs she looks forward to performing live. Hope also reflects on the possibility of changing her creative process in the future regarding collaborations with other writers and producers.
Although she ascribes her own meanings to her songs, she emphasizes her intention not to overly influence her audience, believing it’s more important for them to discover their interpretations. With a devoted fanbase and her previous accomplishments, ‘Hope Handwritten’ is poised to be an album that resonates deeply with listeners for years.
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As the release of your album approaches in just a couple of days, how are you feeling, and what does this moment signify for you?
I’m experiencing a mix of emotions, primarily excitement; however, it’s a unique process to let go of a creative project I’ve dedicated so much time to. I’ve been working on this album since early 2021, and the thought of moving from being deeply involved with it to becoming a listener myself feels quite complex. Nonetheless, I’m ready for the music to be shared with the world.
It must be both cathartic and intimidating to release music that reflects your personal experiences.
Lately, I haven’t felt as exposed when releasing music, as I’m not particularly anxious about discussing my personal life. I just hope those who have been eagerly waiting for this album appreciate it and recognize the love and effort I’ve put into it. That’s what I’m most apprehensive about.
Your album, ‘Hope Handwritten,’ has a direct and meaningful title. Was this title decided before or after the album creation?
The title came later; I began working on the album in January 2021 without a specific title in mind. It emerged during the early draft stages. I had initially set it aside, feeling uncertain about it being somewhat self-titled. On one hand, I thought it was personal and fitting for the music, while on the other, I considered choosing something more universal. However, throughout the process, ‘Hope Handwritten’ kept resurfacing, and I ultimately realized it was the right choice.
The title carries various meanings and also nods to my writing process, which is my favorite aspect of being an artist. I explore how writing serves as a coping mechanism throughout the album, which centers on finding hope in my life after experiencing its loss. Hope is a significant theme, distinguishing it from my own name. I appreciate that it encompasses all these meanings and engages them in conversation.
The singles released so far convey an uplifting tone. Did you intentionally aim for those emotions during the album process, or did it develop organically?
It developed naturally. While I am thoughtful about my writing, I don’t over-plan it. When I start working on songs, whether in a session or just with my guitar, I aim to write something that resonates with me. It’s rare for me to enter a session thinking of a specific narrative. My process is more intuitive, spiritual, and spontaneous. I inherently strive for optimism, even in challenging times, and I aspire to uplift myself and others, which naturally influences the music.
Many artists seem to struggle with the recording and releasing process, often feeling the need to revisit and refine their work. Did you find yourself doing this with any songs on the album?
I definitely made several adjustments to certain tracks. For example, I wasn’t satisfied with the lyrics at the end of ‘Survival.’ Production-wise, ‘Bad Love God’ required numerous drafts to get it right, and ‘Phoenix’ also underwent several variations.
As time passes, I’ve become more of a perfectionist regarding my music. Since this is my first album, I held it to a particularly high standard.
This year, you're quite busy, supporting Halsey on several of her tour dates in America, in addition to announcing your own headline tour! Are there any songs from the album you are especially excited to perform live that you think will offer a new experience?
I believe ‘Magic Or Medicine’ will be engaging to perform live. I’ve already performed ‘Shiver’ a few times during my mini-tour last October, and
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Friendship, love, optimism, and introspection are among the themes that Hope Tala addresses in her debut album 'Hope Handwritten'. Hope Tala is an artist who