photo by Jerris Madison

Hannah and Gianluca of Heritage treat their shared moniker with the utmost respect: both their parents are musicians, whether they made careers of their talents or not. The duo will play The Mint on May 13.

 

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Natalie Durkin (TribeLA Magazine): Give yourself and your work a tagline and tell us why.

True and authentically soulful, with that good island flavor.

Hannah: I put my heart into my creativity. My creativity clock keeps ticking, just like my heart, I won’t stop until it’s time. Love life, live love.

Gianluca: I use what I have, not what I hope to get. Everything I am is enough for now, so I give it with love and intention.

 

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ND: What got you started in music? What is the reason you are here today?

Reaching others through music is why we are here today. It’s been in our lives for all our lives, it’s a major part of who we are and at times it’s how we communicate best.

H: I started in Piano lessons, and come from a lowkey talented family of musicians and singers. My dad is a closet singer with a voice like Michael Buble but would never take it serious. My mom was in a traveling Gospel group and plays the flute. My sisters both play piano for fun. My brother and I made beats with pencils. Haha. I am here today and making music because I know this is what I am supposed to be doing. My music will save lives.

G: Growing up as missionary child in Cameroon, Africa I was always surrounded by so many colors of music expression. I was fascinated how the music would change from village to city. My mom is a singer, my dad played sax growing up, both of my sisters sang and played instruments, so as the youngest sibling I was inspired from every direction. Music has become a natural way for me to share what’s inside, to share my deepest feelings in a way people can relate and enjoy.

 

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ND: How do you hope to influence your audience?

Inspiring intimate conversation between creator and listener in music is what we set out to accomplish. We want to influence conversation and thought that will create a positive shift.

H: Ditto. To add to that, I want to influence and stir up emotional authenticity. People are too closed off, and out of touch. Music can break that up, bring healing, and a lighthearted outlook on tough subjects.

G: My goal is to inspire people to think differently. To show them that there’s always an option to adopt or consider a new perspective. We can’t change every situation, but our mindset towards it can make the difference.

 

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ND: What do you do when your creativity is blocked?

Back to the basics we go. It’s time to leave the workshop and explore the world around us. There is nothing more inspiring than experience. We go out and live a bit. Explore and talk about what’s inside. Or sometimes you’ve just got to read a good book.

H: I have this thing called a “Creativity Clock”. If I feel uninspired to write a song, well, it’s time to paint, or time to read, or time to watch an inspiring and relevant documentary.

G: People inspire me. What makes them smile, what makes them tick, what makes them grow. If I’m leaving myself without inspiration, it’s time for me to be amongst the people!

 

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ND: What fires you up and gives you energy?

Experiencing a creative epiphany! Sometimes God just drops a vision that makes you stop everything you’re doing and you just have to develop it out.

H: Coffee. Sike, starting my day right with prayer and devotion. It sets the tone for the day, and keeps me focused and driven in my purpose.

G: New ideas that I know will create an impact, or a breakthrough in something i’ve been working at for while.

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ND: Can you tell us a little known fact?

Life as a professional couch surfer 101. Need tips? Hit us in our DM’s @htgmusic

H: Mark Twain said this about our Island home, “You can go to heaven if you want to. I’d rather stay in Bermuda.”

G: I got attacked by a monkey when I was like 4 years old. I later fell in love with Curious George books.

 

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ND: Where is your favorite place in Los Angeles and why?

Art fills this city, so anywhere there is a form of art expressed. Dirty Laundry is pretty cool! Live music from traveling musicians who come and jam together. The music they play gives you that good music stank face every two seconds.  

H: I’m not a city girl, so I’ll give you the best I’ve got. I love Laguna Beach, 1000 steps beach is my favorite place to be in the summer. I am a mermaid part-time in the summer.

G: I’m just here for the beautiful people and good music. My favorite place is wherever they are.

 

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ND: How do you make music? Briefly chronicle your creative process.

Many moments of car singing, talking about experiences in real time and getting our feelings to paper. From there one of us will come up with a melody or hook which we record, and then we go separately to write, and work together in combining our ideas until we have a full song.

H: I like to start my writing process of off a topic and write what comes to mind. That makes it very honest and memorable for me. I imagine the lyric as a motion picture so it draws the audience to the vivid picture and moment of my words and imagination.

G: I like to record my ideas as they come. I’ll sing it until I like it, then record it in my voice notes. And when the time is right I’ll get back to it, share it with Hannah, or just leave it there to enjoy later. Most of my songs are made in my head first, melody and all.

 

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ND: What is coming up?

Up next we have a performance at The Mint in Los Angeles. The Hunnypot is is putting on a LIVE broadcast of some great music! 

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ND: Describe your style – musically and otherwise.

Soulful Pop! Our music and style are as diverse as our life experiences. We have both lived and and experienced many cultures around the world. Our music and personal style reflects that.

H: I love melodies, and I like to highlight important lyric with it. My style is very sweet, playful, but vivid and intentional. The colors, accents, and what I’m actually saying, all very important. That goes for the way I dress as well, funky, playful, and colorful.

G: Within our soul/pop genre I really like finding the passion and emotion in simplicity. I aim to give a lot without having to do the most.

 

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ND: What is the best advice you’ve received and the best advice you can impart onto us?

Identify your purpose. Be intentional. Being an individual will set you apart, so be true to yourself.

H: Carlos Santana said to me something I will never forget. He said many things but this is important to music creation. “The most important part of music is the silence in it, let the music breathe. Allow the moments of silence to take your audience somewhere, and when you come back in, transcend into the place you are taking them”.

G: To add to that, my dad, Dr. Sydney Gibbons, told me during one of my lowest points, “Use what you have, not what you hope to get.”

 

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ND: Any closing words?

Create from a place of authenticity. If you dig deep and express yourself with honesty it will naturally be different, and inspire those who can relate. And remember, in all things have fun and seek light. As we rub our hands together, go check out our new single and music video for  “Fashion Slayer”! Feel free to drop some love in the comments. We are HEЯITAGE, and this is TribeLA. Big love for having us.

H: Cultivate a healthy relationship with yourself. Be nice to yourself throughout your process. Stay true, and make it fun. This was fun.

G: Don’t be afraid to grow, and find peace in the process. Celebrate what you’ve achieved, and work towards the vision you have for the future.

 

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