Photography: Alice Baxley / abaxley

Words: Olga Burak / lala__burak

If you take a quick look at your musical preferences today, you will notice a notable trend – 70% of your playlists consists of young artists who recently turned 21 or even less. Generation Z is confidently leading our world, breaking on their way all the rules and successfully creating their own reality. Among them is Carlie Hanson / carliehanson, whose career began with a competition for concert tickets, and now - Taylor Swift recommends her songs. 

The world changed, so are the heroes. Ms Hanson is a well-deserved representative of her generation – she is honest with herself and opened to others without any fear. Carlie never adapted herself – this didn’t happened in her childhood, neither it turned out under the leadership of a large music label. As the result – her new EP, “DestroyDestroyDestroyDestroy" has lots of real emotions and ruff lyrics. She is a role model for little girls as Carlie lives by and believes the motto that everything is possible! She lives by the thought of just be honest with yourself and never be afraid of the truth.

You are one of the voices of the new generation of today's music industry, that is shaping the music tastes of young people all around the world. Who inspired you to become a musician? 

This really means a lot to me, thank you! I was inspired to start singing and writing music, when I heard Justin Bieber’s “One Time” on the radio. I really loved his voice, so I looked him up and went through all of his old YouTube videos. When I learned that he blew up from simply posting videos online, I was inspired to try it myself. That’s really when it all began for me. Around the same time, my brother started to make music at our house producing and writing his own stuff, which definitely inspired me as well. My older sister, Cassie, was always introducing me to new bands and artists like Flyleaf, Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, Tokio Hotel, Tatu, Avril Lavigne, Nirvana and a whole bunch of others. Music was always playing in our house, and it was a ritual that we would burn a new CD every time our family would go on long car rides, which actually happened every other day. Overall, there is billions of reason why I fell in love with music, but basically we can thank Justin Bieber and my family.

Tell us a little bit more about your journey from chill and a small town Onalaska to solo album and a global music career.

Everything began in 2016. I was at the mall with my friend, when I saw a contest going on. iHeartRadio was hosting contest, where everyone who posted a cover of Zayn Malik's “Pillowtalk” could win tickets to see him. I freaked out and decided to record it right now. I made the video, recording the cover to a Karaoke track and posted it straight away. A few days later it popped off when iHeartRadio repost it and a bunch of people watched it! Long story short, a talent agent from Toronto had seen it and told me, that there are some producers that he'd love for me to work with. After talking it over with my mom, she thought it could be my one and only chance to really make music, so we did the trip to Canada, That was my first time making music with real producers and being in a studio. I made my first batch of songs there and then we met again in Los Angeles to create more music. It was just a matter of meeting the right people at the right time. I didn't win the tickets to see Zayn, but at the end it turned out into something more than a concert!

Did you change a lot since moving to LA? In what way?

Have I changed a lot? Yes and no. It's a big responsibility to move from the only place you've ever known, to a city like Los Angeles on your own at 17. I had to become an adult and learn how to do things without my family by my side. I was couch surfing everywhere and had little money from working at McDonald's. I think my maturity level has definitely increase, but I'm still the same girl from Wisconsin. You know, you can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but…

For the past few years your life changed completely. For sure there were up and downs throughout this period. During the hard times, did you ever face anxiety or depression? How did you cope with it?

Yes, there were and still are times that can be difficult, but I always try to keep a positive mindset. Even though there is always going to be shit to worry about like finance or missing my friends and family back home or whatever the problem may appear, I always remember that I'm the lucky one who do what she loves every day. I'm writing and making music with really talented people. I didn't have this kind of creative outlet in Wisconsin. I try to do my best to remember how far I've come and try to just to keep going my way straight to the dream!

A while ago you mentioned that it was not easy for you to write such an open songs, because you found it difficult to open to a big amount of people, who you have never met in your life. How did you overcome these difficulties?

It was very hard for me in the beginning especially! I had to go into sessions with producers and writers, which I've never met before and have to open up about my personal life and emotions. It's hard to work like this with complete strangers, and, honestly speaking, it can be still difficult for me even these days… But it is the way you get the best song! You have to be willing to go to that uncomfortable place in your feelings and to get these raw lyrics out, even though you would have to face difficulties and uncomfortable moments.

Your career looks like a proper biopic story of famous musician. For the past few years you reached a lot of important peaks as a young artist. But what was the most unreal moment for you?

I think the most unreal moment for me, as a musician, was when Taylor Swift added one of my songs to her “favourite songs” playlist. Also I still can’t believe that the lead singer of Third Eye Blink asked me to put down some vocals on one of their songs and then literally sing it with them at The Greek Theatre that same night. Such an unreal moments for me, as these two artists are huge inspirations for me.

While listening to your music and watching your performances it is easy to notice that you create quite raw and honest songs, that totally reflect your personality. But even though music business is a creative field, it is still a business, the main purpose of which is to earn money. So my question is – do producers have an influence on your records and decisions about videos and performances, or they totally trust your young and rebellious spirit in all artistic questions?

I am lucky to be my own creative director, as I have always been very headstrong about what I want and how I envision my music videos, artwork and project overall. It’s one of the best parts about being an artist in my opinion. After putting my feelings into words, I get to put them into pictures and videos. It’s really cool to make something that comes to life like that. 

Congratulations with your debut EP! How long did it take you to create an album? What inspired you for it? Do you have a particular song on it that is really close to your heart?

Thank you very much! Each of these songs were written in 2019, except for “Stealing All My Friends”, which I wrote in February 2020. Right about when quarantine hit, I figured out the track list and narrowed down the theme of the EP. Age of 19 was really weird for me. I was constantly questioning everything. I wanted to feel and experience something new every day! Like everything I was doing wasn't satisfying me enough – my relationships, my everyday life, literally every aspect… I was lost and kind of angry with myself that I couldn't understand my own feelings most of the time. I constantly wanted more and wanted to feel some adrenaline or euphoria that I could get in life. “DestroyDestroyDestroyDestroy” goes through all these emotions.

For sure young generation of artists (under 21 years old) have a great impact on todays music vibe and took their place in peoples hearts and playlists. In your opinion, why did it happened this way? Do you personally have a particular goal of your music and art overall?

I think my generation is one of the most honest and raw generations of our time. We're so open with anxiety and depression, and I think that's why so many people connect with our music. We are not afraid to about things that may be uncomfortable, and we don't lie about our feelings. At the end of the day we're all human and we all go through a lot of the same emotions. It's time to start opening up and get real with it. My goal with my music is to help others overcome their problems, help them understand that they are not the only ones who are going through something. Or at least I want to make someone feel better when they turn on my music.

In one of the interviews you mentioned the “don't give a f***” attitude that you and a lot of other young artists have. How did you manage to grow with it in nowadays society, where everyone is looking for the approval and likes from each other through social media?

I've had this sort of attitude since I was young. This probably stemmed from back in elementary school when kids would pick up on me for “dressing like a boy”. But I never changed my appearance for anybody. I never search for anybody's approval, except my own. As long as you are happy with yourself, that's all that matters. Of course, easier said than done, but at the end – it's all about the mindset.

You are really open about LGBTQ+ and even made a coming out a few years ago. What inspired you for this move? Did your life change after it?

When I tweeted to the world that I had a girlfriend I really didn’t think it would be a big deal. I just felt the need to tell somebody, and so I did it. It’ s crazy to look back now, because since then I’ve received so many messages from fans telling me that I inspired them to come out to their families and friends. I never thought I would be able to help anybody in that way. My life definitely changed - I am a lot more open with myself, and I feel like I have nothing left to hide anymore. Today I am truly 1000% myself. 

I am pretty sure with such a rapidly developing career you haven’t got a lot of time for yourself. But still, if there is some free time how do you prefer to spend it?

Whenever I have free time, I like to spend it with my friends and family, since I don’t get to be with them everyday anymore. When I can’t visit them, but still have some down time, I will paint, read, make more new music, go for car rides, or play monopoly deal. 

Is there anything special planed for the nearest future?

On 23rd of October I’m presenting my next EP “DestroyDestroyDestroyDestroy”!!!

Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years? 

I think I’m going to be on my own headline tour, selling out big venues and, of course, still making music everyday!