09.11.21
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Hana Vu finds inspiration in the mundane.

Rising within the thriving DIY scene of her LA hometown, the 21-year-old musician crafts brooding pop-rock songs that manage to feel both specific and universal, capturing the details of her own life – however abstractedly – whilst also speaking to ours. Tracks such Crying on the Subway or more recent single Everybody’s Birthday, lifted from her debut album Public Storage, evidence this blend of social commentary and self-reflection. For this month’s 20 Questions, Vu talks nostalgia, life revelations and dining (one day!) with the cast of Grey’s Anatomy.

What’s your biggest fear?
Being abducted.

What’s the worst thing about the internet?
Everyone is there.

And the best thing?
I can Google why I’m having any sort of issue and it will tell me.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Recently I got one of my songs transcribed as a music box – that was pretty cool.

How would your friends describe you in three words?
I hope the words would be: insightful, thoughtful and grounded.

What makes you feel nostalgic?
Songs I used to listen to when I was in middle school. I used to listen to ALT 98.7 in the days before streaming and they would really only play Fleetwood Mac, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers. So when I hear something like that, I remember true youth.

Favourite non-musical hobby?
Right now I’m really into chess. I play a lot of online chess with friends – I have a subscription to a website that gives me chess lessons.

What did you dream about last night?
I had a dream that I got Taco Bell in New York, and you know what? I wish I did.

If you could time travel where would you go?
I would go ten years into the future just to see how things are so I can come back to now and have a leg up on everyone.

What’s the biggest realisation you’ve had in the past year?
Life is too meaningless to do things you don’t want to do.

Favourite place to eat in LA?
I really love Pho Café. It’s probably the best pho I’ve had in LA.

What would you want written on your tombstone?
I don’t really care about having a tombstone. I kinda just want to be buried loose into the ground with no casket or anything, but I think that may be illegal.

Favourite song of all time?
Seventeen by Sharon Van Etten.

Most famous person you’ve ever met?
When I was 13 I was at the Teen Choice Awards with my aunt and I snuck onto the red carpet to meet Taylor Swift.

Who would be on your dream dinner party guest list?
Probably the cast of Grey’s Anatomy.

Rock or pop, for the rest of time?
Pop.

Who is your dream collaborator?
St. Vincent.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever given?
I give the same advice that my dad gave to me a long time ago, which is that you can’t make anyone do anything, so it’s best to only rely on yourself physically and emotionally.

Any regrettable haircuts?
When I was living in NYC earlier this year I freaked out about how I looked and needed an immediate haircut. Every salon was booked up, so I went into a Supercuts and they basically cut all my hair off. I wore a hat and didn’t post for two months until I got back to LA and could get my hair affairs in order.

What’s inspiring you right now?
I’m very inspired by my friends and the city right now. I feel like I gotta drink so much life in these days.

Public Storage is out now via Ghostly International