Ōtautahi singer-songwriter Hannah Everingham released Mercury, the first single of her upcoming second album, in August this year. With a sound reminiscent of Tiny Ruins and Nadia Reid it’s little surprise Hannah recently played support to Hollie Fullbrook and band at a show in Port Chalmers. NZ On Air Music featured the charmingly liquid tune on their NewTracks compilation in September.

What’s your name, where are you from and what instruments do you play?

Hello I am Hannah Everingham, from Ōtautahi in New Zealand. I play guitars, piano and occasional drums when the inspiration takes me.

How did you settle on using your own name as an artist?

I really wanted a cool pseudonym that was elegant and chic, but unfortunately I couldn’t find any that felt right… so my real name became my artist name.

What’s the background to the release of this track?

Mercury is the first single from a sophomore unreleased album of mine. 🙂 It was recorded and mixed by Thomas Isbister, with Mike Kime on double bass and Doug Brush on percussion. It will be the follow-up to my debut album ‘Between Bodies’ that came out late last year, which Thomas and I also worked on together. Mercury is my first single included on NewTracks.

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date?

I opened solo for Tiny Ruins in Port Chalmers this year which was fun. Also, playing with my really cool band has been great. Mike and Thomas and I have opened for Erny Belle and also recently had a headline show in Ōtepoti alongside Bob Scott and Francisca Griffin.

What makes Mercury stand out for you as a single?

To me in my writing it feels like a song that is ok to sit by itself for a while. I like that about singles, they have to feel ok by themselves. Courageous.

What is the story behind Mercury?

I wrote Mercury  just around the time that I was wrapping up recording on my debut album ‘Between Bodies’ in early 2022. I took it to Thomas, Mike and Doug while we finished recording the album together. I remember that during the recording sessions we ate kimchi and peanut butter sandwiches and discussed Doug’s collection of seasonal fruit trees. I also remember I was reading Adrienne Rich’s Dream of A Common Language at the time, somehow a word like ‘aspen’ found its way into the song.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

I love the vibraphone parts that Doug and Thomas created together.

What would you like listeners to take away from this song?

That sometimes leaving is returning 🙂

Can you please name three other local tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song. 

• Tiny Ruins: Always You, Tiptoeing Through
• De Stevens: Another Shade
• Ebony Lamb: Take My Hands At Night

Are there any musical blogs, Youtube channels or podcasts you’re super into?

I tend to jump in and out of podcasts, but recently a friend reminded me of Rick Ruben’s Broken Record one. I enjoyed listening to his chat with James Blake.

Is there a video for Mercury?

Not a music video, but a live studio recording exits of me and Mike, Doug and Thomas playing Mercury. It was recorded at Loho Studios in Ōtautahi, with Adam Hogan and Josh Logan on cinematography & sound.