From performing in The Wiz during high school to securing a notable feature on Tyler The Creator’s 'Call Me If You Get Lost', Fana Hues radiates brilliance on every stage, in every studio, and throughout every city she has visited since debuting in 2020. Her vocal delivery captures the clarity and sensuousness of some of the finest soul and neo-soul artists, yet her artistic influences extend far beyond that, encompassing film, nature, family, and community.
Her third full-length album, 'Moth' (Matters of the Heart), released last year, explores a profound journey of self-discovery: uncovering your inner light and allowing that light to guide you. “I’ve heard that you can’t determine whether a caterpillar will transform into a moth or a butterfly,” Hues reflects. “One is admired, the other perceived as darker and somewhat less appealing, yet both are beautiful.” The fear of transformation can be daunting when the outcome is uncertain, leading us to overlook the intrinsic beauty that transformation can bring.
Nearly ten months since its release, it’s evident that the message of 'Moth' resonates even more profoundly with Hues. Amid her Matters of the Heart Tour, during a stop in Chicago, CLASH interviewed Fana Hues about her songwriting journey, her collaboration with Doechii, and the inspiration behind her most significant hits.
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So, 'Moth' has been available for about nine months now. You mentioned upon its release that the emotions and narrative tied to the title stemmed from your role as a source of light for others, even when you might not feel it yourself. Now that you're performing these songs, has that interpretation shifted for you?
It carries all those meanings, but it has undoubtedly taken on new significance. I still discover that I’m a source of light for others, often without even realizing it. I’m gaining strength in recognizing when I should stand in someone else’s light alongside them; to simply exist and absorb the warmth from their glow. Over the past nine months, I’ve become more confident in that aspect. I’ve also grown more assertive about safeguarding my own peace, and I believe that development has resulted from this album. Coming from a large family, I feel I’ve always been… well, conditioned isn’t the right word; no one explicitly instructed me to behave a certain way.
It’s more of an internalized feeling that regardless of personal struggles, you still must show up and fulfill your responsibilities. However, the truth is, no, you don’t have to. I need to hold onto this small light of mine! In ‘Icarus’, I express my mom’s advice to not give myself away. It’s a reminder I cherish because when I give my light away, I end up empty. That precious spark of mine begins to fade. I need to focus on sharing it instead of giving it away.
I resonate with that deeply, and those who truly understand will relate to ‘Icarus’. As a songwriter, was there a specific track from ‘Moth’ that either came easily to you or posed a significant challenge during its creation?
I produced numerous songs for this album but narrowed it down to thirteen. Was there a particularly challenging one? ‘What Speaks’ was tough. I found myself overanalyzing it and preventing the song from being what it was meant to be. I’ve noticed that when I struggle to finish a song, it’s often because I’m imposing my own expectations on it, rather than allowing the song to reveal itself. If it comes from a deeper source, it will unfold as it is meant to. ‘Apple Picking’ was another challenging track that I initially hesitated to create. I felt self-conscious about how I sounded on it. I wondered why I appeared so sweet. I wanted this album to showcase a different facet of me and to ignite my fiery spirit, like in ‘Paper Tigers’.
That's where I definitely heard a different side of you, and it's one of my favorites.
Yes! ‘Paper Tigers’ is amusing in a way. It embodies this aggressive happiness. However, as for difficult songs, I would say ‘Apple Picking’ was challenging only because I felt hesitant to reveal that side of myself on this project. When crafting an album, I envision it encompassing a full spectrum of emotions. With that song, I was getting in my own way. Ultimately, it was a challenge, but it became a valuable part of the album, and now it's one of my favorites. As for a song that flowed easily? ‘Take 2’ was one of those instances where I simply thought: what do I need to express? My manager visited the studio, and during our conversation, I felt inspired. After our discussion, I went back to the booth and it just emerged. I didn’t write it down; it came spontaneously. That’s when I realized I need to let creativity flow through
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From starring in The Wiz during high school to landing a notable spot on Tyler The Creator’s 'Call Me If You Get Lost,’ Fana Hues radiates brilliance.