B i o g r a p h y (by James WIlkinson)
Formed in Liverpool in 2017, this '90s alt-rock-inspired duo take influence from acts such as Mazzy Star and Portishead. Larger than the sum of their parts, King Hannah's sparse arrangements and minimalist lyrics contribute to soundscapes that are cinematic in their scope. They employed this approach on their debut EP, 2020's Tell Me Your Mind and I'll Tell You Mine, then stripped things back even further on their 2022 full-length I'm Not Being Sorry, I Was Just Being Me, giving the songs additional room to breathe. A full two years before establishing King Hannah, multi-instrumentalist Craig Whittle saw Welsh-born Hannah Merrick singing for another band at a university showcase event in Liverpool. He was impressed by her brooding, moody vocal style and made a mental note. By chance, the two began working at the same bar in 2017. They created King Hannah during pre-shift work rehearsals, with both Merrick and Whittle slowly building up the confidence to perform in front of each other. While both played guitar, Merrick took on lead vocals, with Whittle taking responsibility for their musical arrangements. In May 2019, the duo self-released a single, "Crème Brûlée," which caught the attention of Krista Schimdt at City Slang Records. She asked to hear more material, and by September 2020, they were signed to the label, which reissued "Crème Brûlée." The following month, the single "Meal Deal" appeared, with both tracks ultimately forming part of the Tell Me Your Mind and I'll Tell You Mine EP, released that November. Producer Ted White added synths and additional guitars alongside a rhythm section comprising Oliver Gorman (bass) and Jake Lipiec (drums). A strong cover of "State Trooper" -- more than matching the tension conveyed in Bruce Springsteen's original recording -- appeared in March 2021 as a stopgap release. In September 2021, King Hannah issued "A Well-Made Woman" just prior to embarking on their first-ever U.K. tour, expanding to the same quintet that recorded their EP. Further singles "All Being Fine" and "Big Big Baby" were released in the run-up to February 2022's I'm Not Being Sorry, I Was Just Being Me. To promote this debut album, the band subsequently embarked on a comprehensive tour of Europe and the U.S.
Tell Me Your Mind and I'll Tell You Mine EP - 2020-11-20 -
And Then Out Of Nowhere, It Rained Meal Deal Bill Tench Crème Brûlée The Sea Has Stretch Marks Reprise (Moving Day)
And then out of Nowhere, it Rained I am bored of this Tell me something that I want to hear This is strange Don't you agree How long will this go on for How long And you can't blame us You can't shame us How long can we go on for Meal Deal I like it there I can see us living there But was it too far too far, too far Probably yeah The second room was a good size It was very well designed With space for, plenty of space for my nice things There's a spider Chilling in the bath Will you remove him Before we move in Hey, Mr. Spider You're not looking too well Why don't you go get Yourself a lovely meal deal And what d'ya think, Mr. Spider Are you moving in with us You might as well 'cause There's three baths and two of us And for the pricе it was nice If not a little over minе And what a waste of shower space What a waste, he said Couldn't you think of something else To put there instead I like it there I can see us living there But was it too far, too far Probably yeah And every once in a while, I'll Try something new And if it goes wrong, I'll Try it again Tell me something I don't know I can keep a secret And every once in a while, I'll Try something new And if it goes wrong, I'll Try it again Tell me something I don't know I can keep a secret Bill Tench I think you're cool I think you're cooler I think you're cooler than most I want a piece of your mind I want a piece of your mind Do you mind I want a home And a bigger garden With two french windows To let some air in I want to live in Paris I really want to live in Paris Will you come there with me But I can make this easier for you, babe Shall we make this easier But I can make this easier for you, babe When I'm older Yeah I want a place With a dining room for Special guests I want to live in Paris I really want to live in Paris Crème Brûlée I need you So bad I need you So bad And I think I like you Too much Wanna do Something about it And I need you And I need you I spend All of my time Taking back Clothes I don't like And I need you And I need you So bad So bad So bad So bad The Sea Has Stretch Marks How did you find That film last night I think Sandler is a pretty funny guy I didn't expect him To die in the end I think I'm taking, taking this way out of hand Out of hand Out of hand Tell me your mind And I'll tell you mine You don't need me, you know Honestly though And you're kinder than most And you can do anything Out of hand Out of hand Reprise (Moving Day) Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving to do Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving for you Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving to do Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving for you Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving to do Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving for you Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving for you Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving for you Moving day Wanna come a little closer I got some moving for you
A Well-Made Woman I used to be a A singer by day And bartend by night Big, big, big time Oh and I've been working a long A long, long, long time I am a woman A brave, brave one I am a woman A well-made one A brave, brave one A brave, brave one I wanna be A mother one day Something tells me In a big, big, big way Oh that I'll be waiting a long A long, long, long time I am a woman A brave, brave one I am a woman A very well-made one A brave, brave one A brave, brave one I am a woman A brave, brave one I am a woman A well-made one A brave, brave one A brave, brave one A brave, brave one A brave, brave one All Being Fine When I was a kid I wet the bed Around I was around ten We saw a nurse Multiple times She said you'll grow out of it In no time All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine We've a family call Scheduled For half nine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine All being fine Big Big Baby I heard you got a lady pregnant Well, I can only wish her well 'Cause soon you'll have a bigger baby In the family than yourself I can't explain You were a pain, pain, pain, pain I can't explain You were a big, big baby I hope you choke on, on a dumpling At least that would be mildly fun And more exciting than just sitting Watching you eat them one-by-one I can't explain You were a pain, pain, pain, pain I can't explain You were a big, big baby You were a big, big, baby I can't explain You were a pain, pain, pain, pain I can't explain You were a pain, pain, pain, pain I can't explain You were a big, big baby You were a big, big baby You were a big, big baby Ants Crawling on an Apple Stork Long shadows in the park I miss it all Some ants crawling on an apple stork That's what youth was It's all about my feelings getting hurt That's what youth was Come to realise I'm never getting her What a time to waste our time What a time to waste our time What a time to waste our time What a time to waste our time That's what youth was That's what youth was The Moods That I Get In I'm like the rain And you're like the sea Whatever that means And I'm really sorry for all the moods that I get in Have you considered asking why (why) And be honest 'Cause I've a feeling We're in trouble again We got in Too damn deep And are you listening I mean, are you really listening Try measuring the years that I've put in And then I dare you to ask me again Why I get in all the moods that I get in 'Cause you are mistaking Every singlе word that I am saying We got in Too damn deep And if you do not like What I'm singing about Well, thеn you really do not have to listen You can just turn me off 'Cause I do this for fun It's what I like to do When I wake up in the morning It's my routine, don't you know My routine We got in too deep Deep Foolius Caesar Stop acting like a baby (You're acting like a baby) Most of the time (If not all the time) 'Cause I am a good girl (I'm a really good girl) Of the rare kind 'Cause I'm a fool for loving you I am a fool Stop acting like a baby (You're acting like a baby) Most of the time (If not all the time) 'Cause I am a good girl (I'm a really good girl) Of the rare kind And I'm a fool for loving you I am a fool I am a fool 'Cause I'm a fool for loving you 'Cause I'm a fool for loving you 'Cause I'm a fool for loving you Go-Kart Kid (Hell No!) Growing up I I was a real wild one And I had the tendency to run around Pretty wildly And I had a go-kart The dog chewed the handle off (Hell no) But it's okay, I was a go-kart kid (Hell yeah) And we had a big, big yard That we ran around all day long (Hell yeah) And we lived really close To our granny and taid's house Just the one hill away to be precise Yes, it was nice And on snowy, snowy days My taid would make A sledge for the girls From plastic and wood It was good We were just girls in a field Growing into ladies And now we're girls in a field Looking out for Sos And thеre's nothing that I hate more Than wastе Regardless of what it is It's still waste And Craig does a nice Impression of A man who messaged me And it goes a little like this "Don't call me a collector" (Hell no) I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me I never remember Names of big film stars Steve Carell I know, though He makes us laugh, really silly I like being on my Own most of the day It doesn't mean that I don't Think of you that way, it's silly But I'm not sorry, I was just Being me Being me Being me Being me I like taking my time Deciding things sometimes I like wasting my time Researching things to buy online But I'm not sorry, I was just Being me Being me Being me Being mе But I'm not sorry, I was just Being me Being mе Being me Being me Being me Being me Being me Being me It’s Me and You, Kid I'm picking up another shift tonight I hope to God that it's the last one I, I do And I thank God the day we met in the gross bar We're doing it so that we can live our whole lives Just doing this It's me and you, kid Me and you, kid It's me and you, kid Me and you, kid It's me and you, kid Me and you, kid It's me and you, kid Me and you, kid It's me and you, kid Me and you, kid It's me and you, kid Me and you, kid But I'm all I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever All I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever All I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever All I'm ever gonna be I'm all I'm ever, ever, ever
BIG SWIMMER Big Swimmer (Feat. Sharon Van Etten) One, two, three One, two, three When the river is floating and And the mouth has come to its end Do you carry on swimming or Do you jump out and grab your towel 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll swim at anything 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll dive in my head first thing 'Cause if I want it, I'll go And if I want it, I'll go Grab it and never let go Until, until it feels right to do so It feels right to do so When the river is floating and And the mouth has come to its end Do you carry on swimming or Do you jump out and grab your towel I'm a big swimmer I'll swim at anything 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll dive in my head first thing 'Cause if I want it, I'll go And if I want it, I'll go Grab it and never let go Until, until it feels right to do so It feels right to do so It feels right to do so It feels right to do so 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll swim at anything 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll swim at anything 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll swim at anything 'Cause I'm a big swimmer I'll swim at anything You know I'm one big swimmer I'll swim at anything I'm one big swimmer I'll dive in my head first thing
New York, Let's Do Nothing I was at a sit-down interview I remember telling fibs about what I knew He said, "So tell me something about you" I said, "Well, I'm a singer, musician too" He said, "Oh no, not another one" Rolled his eyes and moved on He fired me five years later Said that Craig and I worked too well together 'Cause I feel good when I am in New York 'Cause I feel good when I am in New York Just doing nothing Just doing nothing Just doing nothing Just doing absolutely nothing Just doing nothing Just doing nothing We were gonna go to the MOMA Walk around, look at art together We saw the Whitney a few months earlier Had coffees beforehand in the coffee area And you said, "Hey, girl, are you doing good" And I said, "Hell yeah, am I doing good" 'Cause I feel good when I am in New York 'Cause I feel good when I am in New York Just doing nothing Just doing nothing Just doing nothing Just doing absolutely nothing Just doing nothing Just doing nothing Hey, hey, hey, hey, girl (Hey, girl, hey, hey girl) Tell, tell, tell, tell me (Tell me your story) Hey, hey, hey, hey, girl (Hey, girl, hey hey girl) Tell, tell, tell, tell me (Tell me your story) Hey, hey, hey, hey, girl (Hey, girl, hey, hey, girl) Tell, tell, tell, tell me (Tell me your story) Hey, hey, hey, hey, girl (Hey, girl, hey, hey, girl) Tell, tell, tell, tell me (Tell me your story) The Mattress There's a mattress floating There's a mattress floating Or is it flying Or is it flying Or are we just losing it There's a mattress flying Or is it floating Or are we just losing Or are we just losing it There's a mattress floating Milk Boy (I Love You) We were parked under a bridge in Philadelphia Brandon was working out the metre And to my left there was like a kinda Wide alleyway There was a kid He was sat on a step Can't have been more than nine, maybe ten He wasn't playing with anything or anyone The kid had no shoes on And then a van came along and two men jumped out They reminded me of McConaughey In that film about aids that didn't win enough Tall, skinny with washed-out blue jeans And a mean moustache, a kinda yellowey-orange Now the guy who I am guessing was the boy's dad He pulled out a gym bag and he lay it to the ground I remember this next part vividly It'll stay with me Are you ready He swung a hammer at that little boy's face He missed on purpose because he enjoyed it Suddenly, Your Hand I like listening to Bill Callahan He makes my heart feel warm More than all other People I know and people I don't Craig and I have been Craig and I have been Watching quite disturbing Documentaries in the evenings And suddenly your hand becomes a minor thing The damage is done I couldn't care less what happens to them The damage is done I couldn't care less what happens to them And they have a million things in common If you like I can, I can list them And they all take pleasure out of seeing people scared And one man, he even, he made a sandwich afterward You know You know a lot of them, they don't kill, but they torture still You know a lot of them, they don't kill, but they torture still You know a lot of them, they don't kill, but they torture still And I've said it before and I will say it again I'm really sorry for all the moods that I get in And I think it's because, because they are Arrogant as they come Somewhere Near El Paso There was a vending machine, it was obscene Sold a build-your-own tuna sandwich thing So I had a cereal bar in my blood-stained bed instead Yes There was a soda machine, had a turquoisey-sheen (shining) Equally as insulting as the tuna sandwich thing And I had no desire whatsoever in purchasing anything And the guys were laughing, buying something That was a bad decision That was a bad decision There was a laundry machine working Working, yes, it was working And the half-lit Denny's sign (half-lit Denny's sign) was weirdly comforting Tried getting in That was a bad decision That was a bad decision We were driving down the highway near El Paso Stopped at a gas station Two guys had just won forty bucks On a scratch card, filling up With gasoline, I was observing them Said he'd take it to the whorehouse that evening Poor girl deserves a warning And his iced tea was yellowing That was a bad decision That was a bad decision Lily Pad I feel like I am On the front cover of That Slint album The one with all four of them on Just floating along Just floating along I think I'm going insane I think I'm going insane I feel like I am Like a lily pad on a pond Just floating along Just floating along I think I'm going insane I think I'm going insane I think I'm going insane I think I'm going insane I think I'm going insane I think I'm going insane Davey Says Meet me before the party I don't want to walk in alone Maybe we can blow it off Go do something on our own Davey says, "You've gotta take it slow If you're gonna make it outta here" Davey says, "You've gotta way to go But you're gonna make it outta here" Davey says, "You've gotta take it slow If you're gonna make it outta here" Davey says, "You've gotta take it slow If you're gonna make it outta here" Davey says, "You've gotta way to go But you're gonna make it outta here" Davey says, "You've gotta take it slow If you're gonna make it outta here" Davey says, "You've gotta way to go But you're gonna make it outta here"
This Wasn't Intentional She, she wore a green stripey t-shirt that I had Had as a kid Felt grown up in it He, he shouldn't have left her on her own after she sang On the karaoke Pretty funnily Kid, please, know that this wasn't intentional Kid, please, know that this wasn't intentional I think that we need to re-think a whole load of things Don't you agree with me Kid, please, know that this wasn't intentional Kid, please, know that this wasn't intentional Please, know that this wasn't intentional Please, know that this wasn't intentional John Prine On The Radio I've been looking, I can't find an answer And I can't concentrate on much these days There's room in the kitchen if you want to join me I'm cooking up something and listening to John Prine on the radio And feeling alright The chicken's been in the oven now Since quarter to five I hope it hasn't dried out I hope I haven't ruined your night But John Prine on the radio Makes me feel alright I've been looking, I can't find an answer And I can't concentrate on much these days There's room in the kitchen if you want to join me I'm cooking up something and listening to John Prine on the radio And feeling alright The chicken's been in the oven now Since quarter to five I hope it hasn't dried out I hope I haven't ruined your night But John Prine on the radio Makes me feel alright
Non Albums Tracks
Like A Prayer (Madonna cover) Life is a mystery Everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like home I hear your voice It's like an angel sighing I have no choice I hear your voice Feels like flying I close my eyes Oh God, I think I'm falling Out of the sky I close my eyes Heaven, help me When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I wanna take you there Like a child You whisper softly to me You're in control Just like a child Now I'm dancing When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I wanna take you there In the midnight hour Yeah I can feel your power Just like a prayer You know I'll take you there When you call my name It's like a little prayer I'm down on my knees I wanna take you there In the midnight hour I can feel your power Just like a prayer You know I'll take you there Life is a mystery Everyone must stand alone I hear you call my name And it feels like home
State Trooper (Bruce Springsteen cover) New Jersey turnpike Riding on a wet night 'Neath the refinery's glow Out where the great black rivers flow License, registration I ain't got none But I got a clear conscience 'Bout the things that I done Mister state trooper Please, don't stop me Please, don't stop me Please, don't stop me Maybe you got a kid Maybe you got a pretty wife The only thing that I got's Been bothering me my whole life Mister state trooper Please, don't stop me I said, please, don't stop me I said, please, don't stop me In the wee, wee hours Your mind gets hazy Radio relay towers Gon' lead me to my baby The radio's jammed up With talk show stations It's just talk, talk, talk, talk Till you lose your patience Mister state trooper Please, don't stop me Hey, somebody out there Listen to my last prayer Hi ho, silver-o Deliver me from nowhere