Following the release of her brand new album MOTH, we caught up with Californian R&B singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fana Hues. Get familiar with this VIPER interview…

What five words define your sound? 

R&B and then some more.

Tell me something unique about your creative process .

I write best when I’m doing household chores.

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

I’d want people to listen to the album from top to bottom the first time around, so they can go on a journey with me. However, ‘Matters of the Heart’ is the song that I’d like listeners to live with. 

What inspired you to make that song?

I had a relationship-altering event the weekend before and actually lost my voice. So when I was writing/demoing it, I was left to only use my words if absolutely necessary. I didn’t have the luxury to talk about anything other than my truest emotions.

What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?

I’m usually vulnerable in my music. I definitely treat music as therapy.

What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?

Any way I get to sing on stage is a beautiful day for me. But one time when I was opening for someone, there was this girl in the audience who was completely over it and not shy about letting me know. Still, I wouldn’t say it was a BAD experience. I thought it was funny.

What is your favourite song to perform?

‘Fall in Line’.

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

I really can’t pinpoint one in particular. Music has been my goal since as long as I could remember.

What’s the meaning behind your name?

“Fana” means Spiritual Joy or Light, and “Hues” is a play on my real last name. It also gives me freedom to constantly explore new tones and hues within my creativity.

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

I’d be an anthropologist.

What’s success to you?

I feel most successful when I’ve made something that could only have come from me.

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction? 

I don’t think I’ve changed direction much. Music shouldn’t bind people to one direction.

Where can people keep in touch with you? 

Find me at Fanahues on all platforms, everywhere across the universe.