Hohnen Ford releases new EP ‘Only A Memory Away’
“She really does have it all. Lyrics which will break your heart combined with the most stunning, skilled vocals.” CLASH
“North London singer-songwriter Hohnen Ford has poured her heart and soul into her songs.”DIY
“A rising star.” Jazzwise
Hohnen Ford releases new EP today “Only A Memory Away” via Giant Music alongside a new live version of previous single “Tomorrow’s Tomorrow” and covers of Geese’s Au Pays du Cocaine (listen here) and Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman (listen here).
Her new track, “Only A Memory Away” captures the intersection of nostalgic yearning and hope, the dreamy melody holding an underlying sense of strength within it. The slow yet purposeful piano creates a melody almost suspended in time and Hohnen Ford’s voice carries wistfully along it.
Speaking on the EP Hohnen Ford says: “Across the collection of these four songs, we kind of have something “old and new and borrowed and blue”.‘Tomorrow’s Tomorrow’, is an ‘old’ song of mine from my previous EP. My ‘new’ single ‘Only A Memory Away’ kind of flowed out of me. It’s a reflection on the time just after a break-up when you know that you need space from that person and yet all you want to do is reach out because they’re the only person who knows exactly what you’re going through. And then a ‘borrowed’ song from Cameron Winter, I hope he doesn’t mind. I love ‘Au Pays du Cocaine’ and the whole of the Getting Killed record. I think it’s amazing and really inspiring so it was great fun to play. And ‘Wichita Lineman’ technically could be classified as the old song, but is also very ‘blue’.”
Alongside the new track “Only A Memory Away” Ford officially releases two cover songs; “Wichita Lineman” and “Au Pays du Cocaine”. Ford turns Campbell’s classic country-pop into something softer and more intimate and brings an equal gentleness to Geese’s track.
This new collection of work will also feature a live version of Ford’s “Tomorrow’s Tomorrow”. The track starts on a sunny, strummed guitar line, before blossoming into a track brimming with strings, piano and drums. Lyrically Ford tackles moments of hopelessness by reminding the listener that whatever hardships they might be facing, there’ll always be a brighter day in the future.
Ford is a new type of pop star; one shaped equally by formal musical training and the digital age. With a background in jazz voice and musically raised on the American Songbook, she combines classic, emotionally rich songwriting with the lens and immediacy of a 20 something navigating modern life. That balance of timeless musicianship and contemporary relatability has helped her build a rapidly growing global audience online, alongside praise from artists including John Mayer, Tom Odell, Seal, Tom Misch, Laufey, tiny habits, Bruno Major, Matt Maltese, and Finneas.
“Only a Memory Away” follows on from previous EP “Incurable Optimist”, serving as a follow up to critically acclaimed debut EP “I Wish I Had A God”. Known for her deeply emotive songwriting and expansive sonic worlds, she blends elements of jazz, folk and classic songwriting to create something wholly her own.
Ford is garnering a reputation for her unique voice. The breathless ease, emotional resonance and crystal clear tone make Ford a talent which does not come around often. She is a graduate of Jazz Voice at The Royal Academy, a gruelling course in which only one applicant is taken on per instrument per year. A huge achievement to be selected, even more so to see the course through to the end and graduate. Earlier in the year, Hohnen Ford shared a stunning reimagined take on Chet Baker’s “I Get Along Without You Very Well” as part of a Blue Note compilation. The cover led Jazzwise to describe Ford as “A Rising Star”, with The Timescalling the cover “Gorgeous and introspective”.
Hohnen Ford is set to support Rufus Wainwright on his September US Solo Tour on the following dates:
03/09 – The Waldo Theatre, Waldboro, ME
05/09 – Provincetown Town Hall, Provincetown, MA
15/09 – Philadelphia City Winery, Philadelphia, PA
16/09 – Philadelphia City Winery, Philadelphia, PA
17/09 – Philadelphia City Winery, Philadelphia, PA
19/09 – Tin Pan, Richmond, VA
20/09 – The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
22/09 – Atlanta City Winery, Atlanta, GA
23/09 – Atlanta City Winery – Atlanta, GA
27/09 – St. Louis City Winery, St. Louis, MO