A Dirty Dozen with HANNAH CUTT – December 2023

According to a recent press release: “Emerging independent rock artist Hannah Cutt has shared the official music video for her hard-charging new single “Dirty Enough For Hardcore.” The visual, directed by Ethan Maniquis (“Machete,” Five Finger Death Punch, Daughtry), is an action-packed take on the song’s lyrics aimed at men interested in dating the tough, tomboy-at-heart Los Angeles-bred songstress. “Dirty Enough For Hardcore,” written by Cutt and Erik Kertes and produced by Sean Hurwitz (Smash Mouth) and Gregg Cash (Josh Todd & the Conflict), follows the release of Cutt’s Top 20 single “Happy In Hell,” which peaked at #18 on the Mainstream/Active Rock chart earlier this year.” We get Hannah to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Dirty Enough for Hardcore!” I think the song is pretty self-explanatory. The first verse is the only part that is a little hard to read. It’s about power and sitting with and feeling that power. The song is me telling a guy who is into me that they’re too clean cut for me and that I am tougher than them.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve always been able to sing and have had a great voice but I didn’t pursue music until 8 years ago. I was talking with a music producer, Danny Saber, at the driving range (I golf) and was talking about how I always wanted to record music. We exchanged numbers and ended up working together. We recorded the first version of “Messy,” which ended up being the first single I ever released, produced by Scott Storch.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Not really. I have a bunch of albums of lyrics and each has their own inspiration and different sound. One is rock, very Nirvana, the other is pop more so Katy Perry and another classic rock so Tom Petty.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Probably Max Martin, who has written for just about every pop star from Taylor Swift to The Weeknd to Bon Jovi, Britney Spears. His credits are endless. His music has very big catchy choruses which is what I love. There is a musical in NYC that I saw called & Juliet and it is all his music! I was so hyped. It was so good!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like to do a lot of stuff! Snowboard, play pool, go bowling, go to concerts, theme parks! I also love to just chill and order in and watch tv shows! The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix and Yellowjackets on Paramount+ have been my favorites! They’re so addicting!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would say rock with a hint of pop just because of the catchy choruses! I haven’t really heard anything that has made me cringe yet!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Well, I am not one for a homecooked meal but I do love Ubereats so I’ll be the first one to order for everyone! We usually just hang out at rehearsal so we’re all ready to go!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Keanu Reeves when I was 10. A family friend was friends with him and I was completely starstruck. We met at the Roxy and I literally couldn’t speak. Like I didn’t say a word. I just blushed.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I would say writing the songs. That is my favorite part! If I wasn’t a musician, I’d like to be an athlete. I was a competitive horseback rider growing up and I no longer ride but I miss it a lot.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I don’t really dream of interviews so I don’t really have an answer to that! I’m always telling the story of how I got started at the driving range so that one I’m a little tired of telling!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I posted a video that went viral on Scott Storch’s Instagram of us working on my song “I Want It Now” but I didn’t release it for another 2 years. I wish I had released it right as I posted it.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” I love that song so much. It is the theme song to the hockey movie Miracle which is one of my favorite movies. I love hockey a lot. Go Kings Go!

HANNAH CUTT LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews