Neu Get To Know… Hohnen Ford
The breakout singer-songwriter whose voice is as spine-tingling as it is timeless.
Hello and welcome back to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… which aims to get you a little bit closer to the buzziest acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.
This week, we’re catching up with Hohnen Ford - the London based songwriting luminary whose intimate, intricate work has already caught the ears of the likes of Laufey, Tom Odell, and John Mayer. At times reminiscent of classical Disney film soundtracks, and at others evoking the haunted, angelic tones of Jockstrap’s Georgia Ellery, on upcoming new EP ‘Incurable Optimist’ her gossamer vocals weave tales of grief, lost love, and soul-searching with affecting, arresting vulnerability. To mark the project’s announcement - which came accompanied by a gorgeous Tiny Habits collab, ‘Skylight’ - Hohnen tells us more about playing the flute with parakeets, working with Birdy, burning her cooking and more…
You grew up in North London, but have also spent time living in San Francisco. How did/do the two cities’ music scenes compare? How do you feel these places influenced or shaped your development as an artist?
I was only nine or ten when I was in San Francisco, so the music scene I cannot speak of, but the city itself had a pretty profound effect on me. I remember the colours, the steep hills and wildly eclectic people. I remember Pride in Dolores Park, the joy and depth and celebration of the Queer community. I joined a beading club of divorced and widowed women: I must have been the youngest by 40 years, and loved sitting at the round table hearing them talk about love. I befriended local people, some homeless, some shop owners, teachers - no one seems unusual when you’re 10. You just lap it up. It was a very culturally rich time. And I think making new connections at that age became a big part of me - connecting with new people now is a huge part of who I am.
What’s the story behind your first instrument?
My first instrument was the flute. While living in San Francisco my mum put me in for piano lessons with a woman that also taught flute, and it looked fun. She was quite a character, with the whole of her front room filled with parakeets. Playing the flute, I got to stand with the birds rather than sitting at the piano next door, so I think that influenced my decision. When I got back to London I continued lessons with an amazing teacher, Hannah Lang - she was the person that instilled my love of music, practice and discipline that I began to apply to my explorations in voice, jazz and piano.
Earlier this year, you joined forces with none other than Birdy for your non-EP track ‘A Lot To Give’ - how did this collaboration come about? Why did Birdy feel like the right person to team up with for this single? And who else is on your list of dream collaborators?
Birdy and I wrote this song when we were both a little lost in our writing and looking to try something different than what we were used to. We had met twice and instantly clicked, so knew it would be fun to spend a few days together. There was no agenda. We laughed a lot and found out we had both been asked to audition for the same part in a film (neither of us act). The song emerged and I think it holds a special place for us both!
Most of the time I am reluctant towards the idea of working with my heroes, but there are some I really think would be magic. I don’t want to jinx any though - and there are a few already on the way…
“One thing I try to remember is that social media is about people, not algorithms. When I feel I am sharing to people, not to the big machine, it’s a lot more fulfilling.”
2025 has already seen you go on tour supporting the likes of FINNEAS and Orla Gartland, as well as playing your own headline shows. Have you been giving live audiences any sneak previews of your upcoming ‘Incurable Optimist’ EP? How do you find the experience of airing new tracks for the first time?
I love playing new songs. It’s a little scary because people have phones and might capture a version that ends up differing from what is released, but that’s also quite beautiful - you get to see the evolution. It’s mainly reassuring to know there are ears waiting. This EP was a challenge but also quite interesting because I was working on some of the production from the road, so the final versions of the songs were being very informed by how I was evolving my performance.
Even though you haven’t yet shared a full-length project, people across the world (including some very familiar names!) have fallen in love with your work, partly thanks to social media and Reddit. Can you tell us a bit about your relationship with the internet? For artists, we imagine it’s a bit of a blessing and a curse…
Indeed a blessing and a curse. Patrick Watson wisely once reminded me what a privilege social media can be, because you as the artist get to dictate the story. You get to build your own world and welcome people into it. Discipline is important, honesty is important - as are boundaries. I definitely haven’t mastered it. But one thing I try to remember is that social media is about people, not algorithms. When I feel I am sharing to people, not to the big machine, it’s a lot more fulfilling.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one album, one book, and one film/tv series with you for company, what would you pick (and why)?
Holy smokes. Okay - I’m going to just do the first that comes to mind and please trust that whatever I would bring, I would spend the rest of my days pining for what I didn’t bring. But I suppose that’s life.
Album: The Beach Boys, ‘Pet Sounds’ (come on - those songs). Or maybe ‘Lily-O’ by Sam Amidon.
Book: Maya Angelou, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (or all seven of her autobiographies if poss).
Film: Forest Gump, Big Fish OR Breaking Away. Sorry. I know that’s three.
Finally, DIY is coming round for dinner - what are you making?
Some plethora of random salads and vegetables. If my dad’s in, he’ll be keen to muck in and BBQ you some chicken wings. I can’t follow a recipe but I follow my nose pretty good. Unless I get distracted. You might expect one of the dishes to be a little burned. But that’s tastier anyway… right?! Then we’d have some kind of chocolatey, strange concoction for dessert, and some fruit if I’m pulling out all the stops. Finally, dessert wine and lots of inappropriate jokes.
‘Incurable Optimist’ is out on 3rd October via Giant Music.
Records, etc at
Featuring Yard Act, Death Cab For Cutie, Graham Coxon, Maisie Peters and more.