Hi friends,

I played my first show in Nashville tonight! It went well and people were very nice and positive and it reinforces how much I like it here in Nashville. I think there's a lot to be said for how I've approached being here, going to shows most nights, trying to play shows, reaching out to people to play together, that I think would be nice to bring home with me. I have always lived in London so I have never had to try to build a network I was born with one. I think it's time to change that mindset.

I had 2 goals going into this trip. That at the bare minimum I'd play a show and do a write. It was nice this evening to reflect on completing one thing.

It is Wednesday and I have realised I am in America for only 4 weeks more. I've been here just over 3 weeks so I suppose the same again, but it inevitably feels like I'm running out of time.

My EP is out in England! I've felt so incredibly anxious today. I spent my morning at my friends studio demoing for my next single, it doesn't really stop being an independent artist. Then I've spent my evening in a cafe trying to prep everything for the release. I think I thought it would ease the anxiety to have it all ready to go for tomorrow morning, but I'm not sure it has. This is the biggest body of work I've ever released and I'm very proud of it.

Today is the leap day, so maybe it's the anxiety of having time that we don't normally have. Tomorrow is my last day of 26. I want to go to the studio all day, but I feel constricted by so many things.

I am so lucky and grateful that new friends have lent me their studio space. It gives me so much freedom and space to work on music that I didn't have before. Here's a demo from this week (a definite WIP):

One Day Demo

I am 27, and I am hungover. But I had such a great day turning 27 I have no regrets. We went on a brewery crawl from midday to 7pm then on to bars afterwards, so a heavy but very fun way to start my later twenties.

This week was difficult in trying to fight the pressure I put on myself, but so rewarding in other ways. I have a lovely life here in Nashville and that's all I could ask for as I head into month two.

Hannah xx