Sandra Hakky is here to shake up your Monday with the electrifying sounds of her new album, Hakky The System. A cut packed full of heartfelt revelations, all elevated to the status of repeat worthy thanks to electronic sensibilities and dance beats, the nostalgic 11-piece project promises to intoxicate you upon first listen.
“Hakky The System is a reflection of who I am as a person and a reference to the tech aspect of me, but it also has a touch of self-irony in it. I do have a system, a certain order I like to do things in order to control myself; I practise a lot of self-discipline in order to be able to let go creatively. I like systems but I also like tearing them down. The album as a whole was a process for me, I had to have a system in order to be able to let go in producing and writing something so personal to me. The album is a complete reflection of what I am going through,” says Sandra of her latest project.
Upon the release of Hakky The System, the artist got candid with Wonderland about the thought process behind its creation, lead track “Work It” and what she hopes the future holds. Head below to enjoy…
Hey Sandra, how are you doing? How has this past year been for you?
Hi there! I’ve been busy and wonderful. I’ve just released my album, Hakky The System, and have been learning a lot of new production skills and writing. I have also been planning some concerts and practising with my band, getting ready for upcoming gigs this summer including a release concert which I am really looking forward to. And of course, I’ve been writing a lot of new material, because life somehow always seems to throw a lot of inspirational things at me, both in music, nature, relationships, philosophy and tech.
How did you first get into music? And how did you discover and develop your unique sound?
I have been singing since I was very little; I wrote my first song when I was eight years old – it was a country song lol – and started fooling around with eJay, a music programming software, by the time I was nine. I started playing the drums when I was 12 and piano at the age of 14. So, I guess there wasn’t really a conscious musical direction, just something I felt like I was driven to or meant to do. I will say I took the decision to step up my producer game nine years ago when I set up my home studio and fooled around with different musical genres. My sound just developed over time.
Congratulations on your album, Hakky The System! What was your mindset going into its creation?
Hakky The System is a reflection of who I am as a person and a reference to the tech aspect of me, but it also has a touch of self-irony in it. I do have a system, a certain order I like to do things in order to control myself; I practise a lot of self-discipline in order to be able to let go creatively. I like systems but I also like tearing them down. The album as a whole was a process for me, I had to have a system in order to be able to let go in producing and writing something so personal to me. The album is a complete reflection of what I am going through. I wrote and composed it in my home studio when I was going through a tough period of my life. I was in a really bad destructive place but wasn’t able to take any distance from it; I sort of realised what was going on with me as I wrote it. I tend to find that a lot: I realise stuff in the process of writing because I have my guards down with an open and free-associative mind. I wanted to create something that would feel like a real throwback with a modern twist, and different types of text layers.
And it includes the featured single “Work It”. What do you hope people can take away from this track?
Hopefully, they get the point when they see the video, but whatever they feel like taking away from it is cool. It’s about fluid identities, not judging people and seeing them for who they are; “Work It” doesn’t mean show me what you got, more like let me see you as you really are. I don’t believe in stigma or self-stigma or archetypes and I think the video really reflects that.
You’ve said that the track is about “having the courage to let go of the filters”. Do you mind elaborating on your perspective/experience with this?
Stigma, self-stigma, judgement, ideals, society dictating. Seeing the individual as they are. I just want to be myself, I think other people want that too, but sometimes it’s really difficult not to give in to society’s expectations of what we should do, feel, say and look like. Even the constitution of marriage, the advertising I could go on. I just think it’s important to “Work It” for yourself and what you believe in. I hope the song could maybe inspire some confidence to be yourself.
What did it feel like listening to the finished track back for the first time?
It’s hard to say because I was mixing it as well, so I didn’t really get to hear the final track, it was a process. When I write, produce and compose, it’s like I am inside of the music. It’s difficult to describe because I can’t really give an objective answer regarding how I felt other than proud. I think it has a really cool dynamic progressive drum beat with some very peculiar sounds, which I was uncertain about in the beginning, but when I heard it back I thought it added a nice dimension and I felt like taking that risk.
Are there any topics you haven’t covered within your music that you’d love to explore?
I feel very inspired at the moment and we shall see where the creative process takes me. Everything from aesthetics, nature, people, emotions, music and fashion. I am a highly sensitive person and sometimes I get so overwhelmed with impressions that I have to isolate myself, which can take me to a lot of both weird and beautiful places. Musically and mentally.
And finally, do you have any goals to achieve by the end of this year? In music or otherwise?
I would love to do more live shows! To get better at producing, expanding my home studio with some new amps and compressors. Get into more 3d artwork and programming – I am a complete computer geek. And of course, write a lot more music. Maybe do a few collaborations. Other than that, just continue this journey of learning and expanding my musical vision.
