On Tuesday 23 June Hannah Wants plays for Defected In The House on the Terrace alongside Together at Amnesia Ibiza. The scale of the gig reflects a general tour itinerary that studio success has amplified beyond belief. In the weeks ahead Wants is also due at Glastonbury, Creamfields and Hideout, all whilst maintaining a residency for BBC Radio 1 and finalising plans for the debut of her long-awaited solo track ‘Just’.
Wants learnt how to DJ vinyl on a pair of belt-drive Numarks and never looked back. She was specifically excited by the speed garage and bass-house boom of the early Noughties, a movement with distinctive niches in both the Midlands and North of England. She threw herself into local gigs and religiously learnt her craft but the music, a frenetic mix of bottom end, 140-plus BPMs and feisty MCing, was attracting the wrong crowds. Aggressive dancefloors would lead to police and council intervention and, inevitably, the restriction and regression of the scene. Wants persevered but crucial momentum had been lost.
Until 2010, that is, and a summer in Ibiza that changed absolutely everything. Having fine-tuned her style over so many years, Wants proceeded to rock the White Isle with a series of killer house residencies, competition appearances and one-off parties. Her original track selections and firm command of the dancefloor - in line with the (slower) re-emergence of bass-driven dance as ‘jackin’ house’ - would earn her rapid profile and, upon her return home, several new gig opportunities. Sure enough, the UK bookings flooded in – and have kept flooding in. Wants became a major figure at Birmingham’s influential Rainbow Venues, as well as playing The Warehouse Project, Fabric and Outbreak.
She was also soon to recreate the unique energy and edge of her sets in the studio. Wants and previous collaborator Chris Lorenzo released ‘Dappy’ in 2013, a filthy slice of b-line house born from the ashes of an aborted N-Dubz remix (hence the name....) The track, circulated via Shadow Child and Kry Wolf’s boutique label Food Music, exploded internationally and ensured ready demand for the pair’s similarly skankin’ follow-ups ‘What I Want’, ‘Kneadin’’ (signed to Dirtybird), ‘Girls/Breathe’ and, last October, ‘Rhymes’. There have been remixes too – with and without Lorenzo. Weighty updates to Disclosure, Karin Park and, most recently, Tough Love’s crossover juggernaut ‘So Freakin Tight’ have further fanned Wants’ white hot reputation.
Best we grab a chit-chat with her now, then, before she scarpers off and conquers the world....
Talk to us about playing for Defected at Amnesia this summer – you have a few dates; what can we expect?
My attitude towards each and every gig is always the same - maximum preparation and effort. I’m beyond excited to play on the Terrace in Amnesia for Defected though. I’ve wanted to play on the Terrace for years and this is gonna be my first time! I can’t wait!
Ibiza 2010 was a key summer in terms of you becoming a fully-fledged artist. How do you find it now?
It’s still very important. Ibiza feels like my second home. I first visited as a raver when I was 17 years old and I’ve been going every year since 2010. I still like to visit all the same places. I have so many great memories from over the years and I’m so excited to see what happens there in the future too, it’s my favourite place!
What, for you, has changed on the island? How is the scene there today?
I genuinely believe the scene in Ibiza will always be healthy. That’s one thing that makes Ibiza so exciting; it’s literally the forefront of house music. The world’s best artists visit daily, amazing events are put on daily, there’s always something to do or someone to go and see. Apart from noticing the change in music, events, DJs and club layouts over the years, I don’t really notice much else you know. For me Ibiza is all about that magical vibe and I hope that’ll never change.
Describe your music....
You know what, I feel like my sound has kinda changed slightly over the last six months or so. Music is forever changing and so I guess your sound never stays the exact same but I definitely feel I’ve matured as an artist. The music that I both make and DJ is house music, usually bass influenced! I love techno and beats from all sub-genres of house, and so I’ll search for hours and hours for music that works. If I love it, I’ll play it regardless of any category or genre. I think versatility is key when it comes to DJing, it’s important to have your own unique sound.
Where does your wider inspiration come from when you’re recording?
Inspiration for certain tracks can come from anywhere and everywhere whether that’s in my car listening to all kinds of music or travelling the world and being exposed to different cultures, vibes and beats; but a lot just seriously comes from within. I can sit in the studio and not be inspired at all but then other times everything just flows.
You’ve been in the studio a bit this year....
I’ve been working on solo material for a good few months now. It’s been a long time coming but I’ve been working hard and waiting for the right time to show it to the world. A new track of mine called ‘Just’ has recently been premiered by Annie [Mac] on Radio 1 which is cool, I should be announcing its release plans pretty soon! I’ve also collaborated with Detour City on ‘Hidden Love’ and I featured that on my BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix [30 May]. We’ve made two versions of it... one’s a downtempo, chilled kinda vibe and the other is made for the club. It’s all really exciting - I’ve got lots coming up!
What are your longer-term goals?
My aim is always to be the biggest and best I can be. I work hard and I’m constantly setting goals, both short and long term, big and small, I have daily lists, I’m pretty OCD [she laughs]! The rest of this year consists of travelling the world and gigging, gigging and gigging. I’ll always be a DJ first and foremost, so my sets are always super important. Aside from that my BBC Radio 1 residency has been extended another six months until the end of the year so I’m real happy about that. Prior to this show I’d had no radio broadcasting experience and so I went from nothing to my own show on the best UK radio station in one swoop. I often find being thrown in at the deep end is the best thing though. I had to learn quickly, and I’ve absolutely loved having a radio presence.
Finally, Hannah, how do you unwind from the hectic swirl of life as DJ and artist? Do you unwind?
I rarely have time off y’know. I couldn’t tell you when I last had a couple of days off. And then when I do I find it near impossible to switch off - if you work for yourself it’s 24/7. In day-to-day life I use the gym to unwind and if I get a couple of hours off in the evening, or an afternoon off or whatever, I love to just sit on my sofa with my Sky remote or go to a supermarket. Simple things! I always make sure I have a yearly two-week holiday in January though. I like to go to the most reclusive place possible to rest, recover and plan for another crazy year!
Hannah Wants plays for Defected In The House at Amnesia Ibiza 23 June, before further appearances 14 July, 11 August and 01 September - full line-up details and tickets here
Defected In The House Ibiza 2015 is out now - order on iTunes or the CD from DStore
