Philippa Hanna

Since the independent release of debut album Watching Me in 2007, Philippa Hanna has grown from her roots in the Gospel scene to be one of the UK’s most engaging and inspiring songwriters.

Since a young age, Philippa knew that making music was all she wanted to do. As a child she would join her Irish folk singer father Pat on stage, and her musical family includes bassist Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai, Mark Ronson). Her songwriting frequently draws on her turbulent youth, and the Christian faith she found in 2004.

A tireless performer, her own tours take in over 150 dates each year. In 2012 she supported Lionel Richie on his UK arena tour, a feat she repeated opening for Wet Wet Wet in December 2013. She toured in 2014 on both her own headline tour and a support slot with X-Factor star Rebecca Ferguson.

Her third studio album, the country-influenced Through the Woods was recorded at the legendary Steelworks Studios in Sheffield, and was released in July 2013 to critical acclaim and five-star reviews. She subsequently appeared on Good Morning Sunday with presenter Clare Balding, playing live on air. Tracks from the album have also been championed by BBC heavywieghts Janice Long, Paul O’Grady and Hardeep Singh Kohli.

Songs like I Am Amazing and Raggedy Doll have seen Philippa campaign for self-esteem in young people, and she is an advocate for children’s charity Compassion. Philippa has published two autobiographical books: More (2008) charts her adolescence, and Following the Breadcrumbs (2013) traces the “everyday miracles” of her faith.

Philippa’s newest venture is as the flagship artist for Rocket Fuel: A new crowd-sourcing initiative that allows her fans to support Philippa financially, get early access to her new material and share in her journey. She kicked off 2015 with a trip to Nashville, writing with some of the biggest names in US country music. Philippa then returned home to start a 31-date stint opening up the Britain’s Got Talent Winners’ Tour, with Collabro and Lucy Kay.