Hana Kim

Artist Information

Biography

Hana Kim is a singer/songwriter who brings together indie pop and soul unlike any artist you have heard before. Not only are her songs creatively addictive, but her unforgettable soulful voice has ears turning and eyes watching.

As a former UC Irvine student, Hana spent most of her days either writings songs in her room or traveling across seas to explore the world. Inspired by these explorations and relationships, Hana wrote her first finished song, titled “Venice Dream” of the world and love in it. From then on out, her mere dream as an artist sparked into a new start for her career. She graduated UCI at age 20 (in just three years) to pursue her vision to be an international artist.

In May of 2010, Hana released her first debut EP “Until You Believe” in collaboration with musicians who have worked alongside top artists such as Alanis Morissette and Bob Dylan. Shortly after her debut, Hana decided to do something out of the ordinary and she left everything she had to go to Paraguay to teach music to students in a small city, Ñemby, who did not have the opportunity to learn otherwise. During her free time, she would sing in the streets of local parks where a humble buzz began to form. Eventually, Hana received her first television opportunity, where she performed and was interviewed on the National Television Network Guarani on a early morning program, “El Gigante De La Mañana”.

In November of 2010, Hana returned to LA and has been performing at many prominent venues such as The Bootleg Theater, The Hard Rock Café, Saint Rocke, The Viper Room, and countless universities, performing alongside talent like Sam Bradley, Simone White, and Ryan Cabrera. She has also been apart of prominent festivals such as the Chula Vista Music Festival, The Los Angeles Korean Film Festival, and the San Diego Asian Film Festival. She just released her new single “Almost Famous”, along with her first music video, which received incredible review and feature opportunities from CCM Magazine, Mochi Blog, and Songwriter’s Universe, winning best song of the month for February 2012. A couple months later in April of 2012, Hana also released 3 brand new original songs along with a cover of Phoenix’s “Long Distance Call” as apart of a live EP album accompanied with 4 in-studio videos. These videos have sparked great interest from viewers online, especially title track “Mexico”.

Hana is currently performing in the Southern California area and plans to release her first full length album sometime in mid 2013.

PRESS:

“Through an eclectic mix of funk & pop a soulful sultry Korean American voice strikes through to create a rich harmony of soul and love.”
(Danielle Parish, Examiner.com, January 25, 2013)

“The first time I heard tracks “Right Hand” and “Chase The Morning” I was instantly mesmerized by this next artist’s powerful soulful voice, skillful songwriting abilities, and enriching colorful lyrics. Singer/Songwriter Hana Kim is an amazing talent that pours her heart, passion, and love into her music.”
(Junior Cave’s Review, October 2010)

“She brings together pop and soul unlike any artist you have heard before.”
(Channel APA, November 2011)

“Hana Kim was destined to become a musical genius.”
(Tiffany Ayuda, Mochi Magazine, February 2012)

“Almost Famous is a soulful, graceful ballad which is reminiscent of both Norah Jones and Adele.”
(Dale Kawashima, Songwriter Universe “Best Song Of The Month”, February 2012)

“Hana Kim singing the soulful tunes ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘Make You Feel My Love’ smacks of Norah Jones, Diana Krall or maybe even Holly Cole.”
(Hal Newman, Blues/Jazz, Music, Playlist for the Big One, April 2012).

“The title track “Mexico” is a slightly sweaty ode to transgressions in the south (namely going there for singing purposes). It is full of swagger, attitude and a hint of subtle sexiness. This is what all soul should sound like.
(Tender Branson, “Write.Click.Cook.Listen” Blog, April 20, 2012)

“Her mellifluous, soulful voice, when accompanied by the piano, as in the song Leave You exudes a Colbie Caillat-like innocence, while the upbeat song Good Feeling has a peppy Lily Allen-like vibe.”
(Absentminded Scientist Blog, May 16, 2012)

Instrumentation

Hana Kim: singer/songwriter/keys

Discography

Until You Believe EP (2010)
Almost Famous SINGLE (2011)
Mexico LIVE EP (2012)

Official Website

http://www.hanakim.org

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Mexico (Live)
  Listen  
• Hana Kim - Like The King Does (Demo)
  Listen  
• Long Distance Call (Live)
  Listen  
• Leave You
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Mexico

Video

Almost Famous (Official Music Video).mp4

Mexico.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• "Until You Believe" EP Review from Junior Cave's Online Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  The first time I heard tracks “Right Hand” and “Chase the Morning” I was instantly mesmerized by thi...The first time I heard tracks “Right Hand” and “Chase the Morning” I was instantly mesmerized by this next artist’s powerful soulful voice, skillful songwriting abilities, and enriching colorful lyrics. Singer/Songwriter Hana Kim is an amazing talent that pours her heart, passion, and love into her music. This is what fans will get when they tune in to Kim’s music. Each track from Kim’s album “Until You Believe” is full of Kim’s lovely acoustical soulful voice laced over brilliant songwriting/lyrics full of life lessons. You won’t go wrong when you tune in to listen to Hana Kim’s music. And you definitely won’t be disappointed when you read this spotlight where Kim speaks openly about the plight of the DIY artist and why she loves making music.
  (Junior Cave’s Review, October 2010)
  

• Almost Famous by Hana Kim [+ Show ]
  

  Singer/songwriter Hana Kim dropped a music video for her song “Almost Famous”. She brings together p...Singer/songwriter Hana Kim dropped a music video for her song “Almost Famous”. She brings together pop and soul unlike any artist you have heard before. Not only are her songs creatively addictive, but her unforgettable soulful voice has ears turning and eyes watching. Her single speaks to the “fame seeking” world and of things once loved.

• Meet Our Breakthrough Artists of the Month: Hana Kim [+ Show ]
  

  Hana Kim was destined to become a musical genius. Growing up in a family of artists, musicians, sing...Hana Kim was destined to become a musical genius. Growing up in a family of artists, musicians, singers, and directors, Kim learned how to play the piano at the early age of 7 and performing the classics including Schubert and Chopin. By middle school, she was playing the saxophone and guitar, but it was the saxophone that made her fall madly in love with performing in a band. Soon after, she started to write her own songs. During her second year of college, she began booking her own shows. However, when Kim moved to Paraguay for six months, she took her music to the next level and was inspired by the people, culture, and relationships.
  
  “Paraguay holds a very special place in my heart. It was a drastic lifestyle change, but it was really a joyous one of just enjoying each moment with what you have. The life stories are what really changed me and encouraged me to serve more. I served at a local church and private school and taught kids music. People open up not when you give or offer something, but when you show them that you are the same person they are, not any better,” Kim says.
  
  The song-writing process is different for every musician, but Kim’s soulful music touches every emotion. “Every song has a different story. It’s really hard to just sit down and try to be inspired. But usually in moments of extremes—extreme joy, sorrow, passion—I will be much more inclined to write an honest song,” Kim says.
  
  When I first heard Kim’s latest single “Almost Famous,” I was pleasantly surprised by her bold lyrics and commanding voice. You definitely “feel” her music go through you and experience the life stories in each of her songs. “Last year, I wrote a lot about love, heartbreak, and self-exploration,” Kim says.
  
  I’m glad I discovered Kim’s music. She is definitely one to watch in an industry of emerging Asian American singers and musicians. To learn more about Hana Kim, visit http://www.hanakim.org/. If you live in the West Hollywood area, watch Hana Kim perform in The Viper Room on Sunday, February 19.

• Hana Kim's "Almost Famous” Named February “Best Song Of The Month” [+ Show ]
  

  Hana Kim, a promising pop/soul singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, has won the SongwriterUnivers...Hana Kim, a promising pop/soul singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of The Month” Contest for February, for her song "Almost Famous". This song was independently released as a single last October, and Kim plans on releasing a new EP next month (March 2012).
  
  “Almost Famous” is a soulful, graceful ballad which is reminiscent of both Norah Jones and Adele. The song starts off with a piano-based arrangement, and then gradually builds energy and emotion, with the addition of guitars, organ and background vocals. "Almost Famous" also provides an excellent showcase for Kim's rich, expressive vocals. This cut was expertly produced by Ethan Carlson and Claire Courchene of Stereographic Entertainment (a music publishing & artist development company based in Los Angeles).
  
  Kim (who is 23) grew up in San Jose, CA, where she learned to play piano at an early age. She was inspired by listening to such artists as Abba and Norah Jones, and more recently to Kimbra and Adele. During high school, she played classical piano recitals, and she also performed in talent showcases and musical theatre productions. Kim began writing songs when she was 13.
  
  For college, Kim moved to Southern California to attend UC Irvine, where she subsequently graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics. "It was also during this period that I developed a passion for songwriting and being an artist," recalled Kim. "I also learned about studio recording, and I began playing live shows (solo and with a band)."
  
  It was in 2010 that Kim released her debut 5-song EP, called Until You Believe. She then took an unique trip, traveling and living in Paraguay for five months. "It was a pivotal moment--I started looking at the world from an international perspective," said Kim. "I wrote 'Almost Famous' while I was in Paraguay, and I began performing shows there and building a fan base."
  
  Upon her return to Los Angeles, Kim teamed up with Stereographic Entertainment to record "Almost Famous" and plan her upcoming EP, which will consist of her new songs recorded live in the studio. A video will be filmed of these recording sessions by director Justin Chan. The separate video of "Almost Famous" was directed by Roxy Shih.
  
  In addition to working on her new EP and videos, Kim has been performing live at several Los Angeles clubs (Genghis Cohen, Viper Room, Room 5) and in San Diego. "I want to build a fan base so I can tour outside of California, and I'm looking for management," she said. Kim also plans to record a full-length album, which she will release at the end of this year or early 2013.

Setlist

Hana is able to perform 2 hours worth of original material, plus a collection of acoustic/unplugged covers if desired. This includes all tracks from both released and unreleased albums.

Basic Requirements

Calendar