Interviews: Sano Hill

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock singer-songwriter, Sano Hill from Ireland. Check out the interview and follow the singer on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or came out just like that?

Sano Hill is a hill behind the house I grew up in Cavan – a rural county in south Ulster – it’s a scenic location of special significance to me and my extended family and somewhere I go back to quite a lot.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Rock has always connected with me from when I was very young and it seemed the most appropriate genre to write within when I started composing

3. Your favorite band?

It’s hard to pick one favourite band - I've been influenced by a wide range of musicians and musical styles - Van Morrison (particularly his earlier material, Astral Weeks, Moondance etc.) was a huge influence on me at one point, particularly the personal and folk/blues nature of his lyrics and expression. Other influences have included U2, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Nick Cave, and Radiohead. But I like all kinds of music, from traditional to classical, folk, jazz, blues, and rock, and I guess all these influences have informed what I do, how I sing and the music I make.

4. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I come from quite a musical family - my mother leads a traditional music band and still performs regularly. She was probably the first to encourage me to get involved with music as a child. I learned to play guitar in my teens, which has continued to be the main instrument I write and perform on. I think I probably started writing my own songs partly out of frustration at not being able to play the songs of others very well! Over time music became more and more part of how I interpret and come to terms with what is going on in life – life is very generous and there is always plenty of material to inspire songs either going on in my life or the world more generally - the pandemic, I suppose, encouraged me to get back into music and to finally record properly some of the songs I've been carrying with me for some time. The working title of the forthcoming album is "If not now, when?" which I guess says it all 

5. Where was your last gig?

Yeat's Local, Drumcliff, Sligo.

6. Where would you like to perform?

Anywhere I connect with people who might appreciate and respond to the songs I write. 

7. Whom would you like to perform with?

Nick Cave.

8. Whom not?

Daniel O'Donnell

9. Have any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Yep. Just sing. I find once the performance begins, the music takes over.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

See 4.

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Can’t think of anything in particular.

12. What do you think of your fans?

I am hugely grateful to anyone who appreciates my music and is willing to buy a ticket for a gig or pay for an album or whatever. Thank. You. So. Much.

13. What do you think of our site?

Cool.

14. Something to add?

I have a new single - ‘Dancer’ – coming out on all platforms on Feb. 10. You can presave now at https://streamondistro.lnk.to/Dancer and download/stream right now on Bandcamp at https://sanohill.bandcamp.com/ - my album ‘If Not Now, When?’ will be out later in the Spring.