It’s not every day a Christian artist gets to tour with pop sensations Little Mix, but God’s very much still number one for Philippa Hanna. Joy Tibbs spoke to her as she was preparing for another big gig

Creating a bond with music fans so that she can then share her faith is something Philippa Hanna believes God has allowed her to do. And after spending the past few years touring with some of pop music’s biggest names, she is certainly becoming more widely known.

The Christian singer-songwriter has toured with US soul legend Lionel Richie, Scottish band Wet Wet Wet and, most recently, British girl group Little Mix.

Supporting the European leg of Little Mix’s first worldwide circuit, The Get Weird Tour, she has had the opportunity to perform in 13 countries across the continent.

As well as being a great deal of fun, these tours have allowed Philippa to share some important truths with music fans who might otherwise seem un
reachable.

While not all her songs contain an overtly gospel message, the response to her music on tour has been positive from Christians and non-Christians alike.

Best of all, these tours have given the 32-year-old singer a platform from which to share her faith.

Born in Sheffield, Philippa’s father was a touring musician and her brother was a member of Jamiroquai. She has been a keen music fan since childhood and developed a love for Jesus in her early 20s. Since then she has combined these two passions to produce hits that aim to uplift, inspire and connect with those who share her faith as well as many who don’t.

Philippa is known for her varied musical styles including pop, country and folk. As well as appearing on Songs of Praise twice, she has performed at a number of Christian festivals including UK-based New Wine and the Big Church Day Out, and the Netherlands-based Flevo Festival.

She has released four albums to date as well as writing music for The X Factor finalists Janet Devlin and Craig Colton.

She has penned two autobiographical books with Authentic Media and tells iBelieve that she has other written works in the pipeline.

”From the word go, the Little Mix fans have been literally amazing; so supportive and full of energy”

Despite having limited spare time on her hands, Philippa is also an advocate for Christian charity Compassion International.

She visited Haiti with the organisation after the devastating earthquake in 2009 and donated all the proceeds of her single ‘Ave to Love’ to the charity’s work in the country. She has been sponsoring a boy for the last ten years, and she and her husband, Joel Cana, drummer for The Gentlemen, have taken on sponsorship for a further three children more recently.

iBelieve: You’re currently touring with Little Mix. How did that come about?

PH: You may remember seeing me go on tour with Wet Wet Wet a few years back. It was actually through some contacts I made there. This seems to be how things work in the industry. Work hard wherever you are and eventually doors will open!

iBelieve: Have there been any particular highlights of the tour so far?

PH: From the word go, the Little Mix fans have been literally amazing; so supportive and full of energy. Watching them respond to songs like ‘I Am Amazing’, shining thousands of lights in the air spontaneously, is a mental image I’ll treasure for life.

iBelieve: Little Mix aren’t a Christian band. Has this posed problems with members of the band or fans at their gigs? Is your set overtly Christian?

PH: I can honestly say, to the best of my knowledge, that the response from both the band and fans has been completely positive. I sing the same songs wherever I go, but I always have a broad audience in mind when I write the songs. I try to tell stories through my music and focus on truths that people can relate to from different backgrounds. I like to talk about identity, destiny, purpose and transformation; hope and healing. Most people are very open to hearing about those things. My hope is that this creates a bond between us that becomes a conversation, which becomes relationship, which then gives me permission to speak to them about Jesus.

iBelieve: What do you hope fans gain from your music?

PH: Hope and revelation.

iBelieve: Have you had much feedback from listeners about the impact your music has had on them?

PH: I keep every message in a file on my computer desktop to remind me when I’m down why we do what we do.

iBelieve: Your music seems to have evolved over the years. How would you describe your current sound?

PH: Pop! A mixture of all my influences.

iBelieve: Do you still get nervous when you go on stage?

PH: I used to but not so much now. I’ve done this for so long. I actually get more nervous about going to social events.

iBelieve: Is there anyone else you would particularly love to perform with?

PH: Ed Sheeran, Dolly Parton, Switchfoot, Martin Smith and Ellie Goulding, to name a few.

iBelieve: Is it difficult being a Christian in such a secular setting?

PH: I’d say yes, but only as hard as it is for any believer working in the world, which most are. The key is having good people around you – I travel with my husband – and keeping your eyes fixed on God. We always feel him with us, carrying us and inspiring us.

iBelieve: What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?

PH: Staying in love with Jesus and staying married. I’ve seen so many struggle with those relationships that I don’t take either for granted. When the going gets tough, those are the things that can suffer. I’m very grateful for the grace in my life.

iBelieve: You’re also an accomplished author with two books under your belt. Are you planning any more?

PH: I am! I’m writing another biographical account of what’s been happening over recent years: successes, failures, miracles and trials. I’m also working on fiction.

iBelieve: You’re an avid supporter of Compassion International. What’s your involvement and why did you choose Compassion?

PH: Compassion chose me when I became a sponsor. It has blessed me so much to help raise Carlos over the past ten years. I wanted others to have that opportunity. So now I’m an advocate, telling those we meet on tour about the cause. I’ve never met anyone who signed up to sponsor and regretted the decision. No matter what happens, you know you’re doing something invaluable for a child. We have four now! But we don’t have our own kids, so this is what we do.

iBelieve: What do you feel God is speaking to you most clearly about at the moment?

PH: His power and his presence. I’m learning to earnestly seek him and be continually filled with his Spirit. These aren’t new lessons but it’s always good to relearn them.

iBelieve: What do you like to do in your spare time (if you have any!)?

PH: I like to walk my dog, see my friends and watch inane videos on YouTube.

Read more great articles in the October 2016 issue of iBelieve Magazine

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