Pop cover queen, Karine Hannah’s reimagined cover of Journey’s classic song “Separate Ways” is now available on all digital streaming platforms. Stripping away from the standard eighties flowing synth, driving guitar and drum combo, and Steve Perry’s recognizable tone, you find a new, honest rendition. The simplistic instrumentals of just a piano allow Karine’s smoky power vocals to shine through. The singer skilfully crosses from her lower register all the way through to her recognizable falsetto. Her interpretation of the track nostalgically reminds us of the deep meaning behind the lyrics of classic rock that are often glossed over in favor of focusing on accomplished musicianship. I caught up with the Montreal-born and New York-based singer to discuss the track, singing at Celine Dion’s wedding, and future projects.
Karine Hannah, thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Congratulations on your career to date. For readers who are unfamiliar with you, how did you get into music?
Thanks so much! It’s the typical story of me knowing from a very young age that this was the path I was choosing to pursue and showcasing original music for record companies to eventually land a deal after a lot of hard work.
Your performance on a Canadian television show caught the eye of Celine Dion. You performed at her wedding. How much has her influence shaped your artistry and your approach to the industry?
I think that I did not realize at the time that I sang at her wedding just what that meant and how it has shaped me today. I was very young and naive. I thought that once I have this once-in-a-lifetime exposure, my career will just take off. Don’t get me wrong, there are people today who know my name just because I was the one she chose to perform for her. But ultimately that night made me learn many lessons about the industry. As an artist, I think she already had an influence on me to some degree without realizing it, and I think it still comes through in my vocal performances.
As an artist, this must rank highly on your personal accolades. What is your proudest achievement to date?
Yes, it really is, along with landing a major record deal and having 2 top ten billboard singles.
Moving to New York, you started to work with Jim Steinman ((Meat Loaf, “Bat Out Of Hell”) You were approached by several labels but didn’t sign with any of them? What constituted a perfect match with Nikki Minaj’s label, Cash Money Records?
I would have signed with all the major deals that were offered, but each record company folded just before signing. EMI (USA) , CRAVE, & ELEKTRA .
After going through “almost” signing 3x and finally fulfilling my biggest dreams, I was losing hope, when suddenly my lawyer told me that I was being offered a record deal from Cash Money/ Universal. They were looking to branch out in different genres and wanted me to be their “pop princess” of course I happily accepted!
Signing with Cash Money subsequently led to the success of “Burning Up”, co-written and produced by Josh Harris. Your next single, co-written by Michael Jay titled “Victory” reached the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Please tell us more about these winning partnerships and the choice of material.
My manager at the time had a relationship with Josh Harris who had just come off the road touring with and acting as musical director for the artist Seal. He was also a successful remixer and had written some of the best songs I’d heard in a long time. I knew that he had great ideas and wanted to collaborate. We knew when Burning Up was done that we had a dance / EDM song. He is also responsible for many of my productions to this date.
Michael Jay had a massive hit in the ’80s with the artist “ Martika” and the song is called “Toy Soldiers”. He heard me sing one of the songs that I posted on YouTube that he wrote for “Lara Fabian”, one of French music’s biggest stars. He flipped over my interpretation and reached out to me. The rest was history.
Please tell us more about the origins of your latest track, “Separate Ways”
Separate Ways is a reimagined cover of one of the greatest bands and one of the greatest lead vocalists of all times, Journey/ Steve Perry. While recording for my latest project, I knew I had to do this one. The lyrics and melody are everything to me. The song was a collaborative effort. I have been working with one of the greatest pianists of all time, Scott Chasolen, and he built the arrangement, I recorded & produced all my vocals, and then Josh put the final treatment on the song. We are a great team. A lyric video is available and of course, it’s available on all streaming platforms.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on my “ Inspired” project. It’s all reimagined songs from the ’80s, Rock, 21st Century Pop, Classics, and more… Songs you would not expect either.
Your career is on an upward trajectory. Which artists would you love to collaborate with, and why?
I would love to collaborate with so many British artists, such as James Morrison, Adele, etc. I feel strongly that my style suits the European market even better than in America.
Where can our readers find out more about you and your projects? Note: please provide website and social media links.
- Website: http://www.karinehannah.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekarinehannah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Karinehannah/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekarinehannah
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