Where creativity meets connection
Queer Brighton power-pop besties Hanni (they/them) and Clara (she/her) released their second album Good Boy in October 2024. They’ve toured with MUNA, Fletcher, Yungblud and The Big Moon, and their music will feature in BBC drama Riot Women later this year.
As this compelling duo get ready to smash it at Brighton’s The Great Escape, we grabbed them for 12 burning questions...
Welcome to The Great Escape 2025! How does it feel to be part of a festival known for launching new talent?
We're very excited! It's really vital that spaces remain for up and coming bands to build their opportunities and we're really excited to discover some amazing new bands.
For people discovering you for the first time here in Brighton, how would you describe your sound in three words?
Pop but Loud
What’s the journey been like getting to this point — playing a showcase in front of new fans, press, and industry folk?
We're best friends and we love what we're doing so it's always been amazing. We've had some of the craziest opportunities of our lives in the last couple of years and we're very excited for the future.
Do you approach a showcase festival like this differently from a typical gig or headline show?
Not really, we want all our gigs to feel the same. We want to create a safe. joyful, inclusive environment for everybody everywhere we go.
The Great Escape is packed with new sounds and fresh faces — Will you have a chance to discover any other artists at TGE, or any that you want to see?
We really want to see our friends in Currls, Congratulations, CLT DRP, The Deep Blue and Lonnie Gunn! Also going to try and get in to see Chloe Qisha and Catty, and hopefully discover some new favourites along the way!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given as an emerging artist in today’s music scene? You're the most passionate person in your team, you can't expect anyone to be more motivated than you so you've got to want it.
Brighton has a buzzing creative vibe — have you explored the city before or been inspired by it in any way?
Yes we live here! We have done for 14 years and love it.
What’s one thing about your live performance that people might not expect until they see you on stage?
We're much sillier than you would expect.
If someone only had time to listen to one of your songs after the festival, which one should it be — and why?
Good Boy - it's our favourite, so hopefully it's your favourite too.
How important are festivals like this for breaking through in the music industry today?
Showcase festivals are vital. They give bands the chance to be in front of people they wouldn't normally have access to. The Great thing about playing live is it's less about who you know and more about how good your show is.
What’s next for you after The Great Escape — any releases, tours, or surprises on the horizon?
We've got some shows coming up in June! Birkenhead, Manchester, London and Ramsgate. We're super excited to be back out on the road again. We also got the opportunity to write the music for Sally Wainwright's (Happy Valley) new TV drama Riot Women, that will come out later this year!
Finally — complete the sentence: “The Great Escape is the perfect place to…”
Have a lil dance ARXX play Brighton’s Horatios on Sat 17 May (9:20pm), as part of The Great Escape 2025.
SALT Staff Writer
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