Hana Vu, the LA singer making sad music feel alive

The opening track to Hana Vu’s sophomore album, Romanticism, is a poignant reflection on her youth. As the strings swell on “Look Alive”, Vu contemplates the bittersweet experience of growing up. “There’s no song in my heart like I thought there was when I was young,” she sings, inviting us to share in her introspection.

The 24-year-old LA native has been making music since high school. She embarked on her musical journey by picking up her dad’s guitar and teaching herself to play while immersing herself in the sounds of the city’s alt-rock history. Despite initially attempting to fit into the local DIY scene, Vu found her own unique voice, creating brooding anthems that delve into themes of abstraction and loneliness, influenced by artists such as St. Vincent and Sufjan Stevens.

Vu first caught attention online with her soulful covers of artists like The Cure and Phil Collins. Her breakthrough came with her 2018 single “Crying on the Subway,” which not only caught the interest of Gorilla vs. Bear but also led to her debut EP, How Many Times Have You Driven By, and its follow-up, Nicole Kidman / Anne Hathaway, released on Luminelle Recordings.

Vu’s Romanticism is out today via Ghostly International. It showcases how exhilarating it can be to confront our emotions head-on, serenade our woes, and celebrate their essence. We spoke to the musician about her music, Avatar the Last Airbender, and her surprising love of Coldplay.

How would you describe your music?

Hana Vu: I guess I would describe my music as singer-songwriter alt-rock, indie-pop. It’s guitar music!

What’s on your For You Page right now?

Hana Vu: I have everyone I follow muted on Instagram, so my feed only shows reels of raw fish and lizards.

If you could only listen to one musician for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Hana Vu: In general, I already listen to Coldplay exclusively.

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What Dazed headline would you be?

Hana Vu: The 5”3 Artist Confronting Time and Space.

What fictional character do you most relate to and why?

Hana Vu: I feel like Zuko [from Avatar The Last Airbender] for real, because I have an eternal war in my heart.

You encounter a hostile alien race and sound is their only mechanism for communication. What song would you play to them to inspire them to spare you and the rest of the human race?

Hana Vu: “Venus” by Lady Gaga.

What would be your funeral song?

Hana Vu: “Wonderwall” by Oasis. Which I think might also be my wedding song.

What’s the last text you sent?