Hanne Leland

Hanne Leland – The Story of an Indie Artist with a Will of Steel.

Hanne Leland is an Oslo-based Norwegian independent artist and songwriter who has carved out a name for herself far beyond her home country. From her beginnings as a singer-songwriter in Nashville to becoming a confident pop artist with over 17 million streams on Spotify, Hanne has built her career from the ground up—entirely on her own terms.

An Independent Spirit from Day One.

With an impressive work ethic and an entrepreneurial mindset, Hanne took control of her artistic journey early on. She created presentations for her artist project and proactively reached out to companies to secure sponsorship deals—funding that later enabled her to travel from Norway to Nashville. There, she recorded her debut album Honest with top-tier musicians, including members of Taylor Swift’s studio band and Reba McEntire’s producer—whom she hired independently.

During her three-month stay in Nashville, she immersed herself in the music scene, performing at open mic nights at iconic country venues throughout the city.

From Country Roots to Pop Confidence.

After Honest, Hanne gradually shifted direction—from country to pop—through creative collaborations with Swedish writers and producers. This transition led to several acclaimed singles, including Into U and Fearless (We Want Who We Want). The latter was written in collaboration with handball player Anja Hammerseng-Edin as a bold statement of support for LGBTQ+ rights.

Hanne has also spoken out against discrimination—particularly the stigmatization of queer love in Norway’s conservative “Bible Belt” region, where she grew up. In an interview with SheBOPS, she openly challenged outdated norms and promoted visibility and acceptance.

International Recognition and Touring Success.

Hanne’s ability to create music that’s both catchy and emotionally resonant has opened doors internationally. She was handpicked as a special guest on the UK comeback tour of All Saints, performing 10 sold-out shows across England and Scotland. She also toured the UK with Irish singer-songwriter Gavin James.

Singles such as Hungover You, You Don’t Own Me, and Carry On have earned recognition in international outlets like CLASH, The Line of Best Fit, and Galore. Her song Stay went viral on YouTube, amassing millions of views.

Creative Growth and Critical Acclaim.

During the pandemic, Hanne wrote and self-produced two EPs—The Heartbreak EP and After Rain—which showcased her continued evolution as a writer and producer. In 2022, she followed up with the album The Art of Growing Up, further cementing her voice in the pop landscape.

Her 2024 single It’s All Right received a glowing 5-star review in Aftenposten, one of Norway’s leading newspapers.

Championing Inclusivity in Music.

Beyond her personal career, Hanne is passionate about creating a more inclusive music industry. She has hosted songwriting camps in Oslo for female and non-binary creators and continues to challenge power structures and gender norms through her music—particularly in empowering tracks like You Don’t Own Me and QUEEN.

World-Class Collaborations.

Hanne has collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned producers and songwriters, including Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding), Red Triangle (Little Mix, Charlie Puth), Hight (Charli XCX, Ava Max), and Brian West (Nelly Furtado, Rachel Platten). She has also worked closely with Norwegian producer Matilda Gressberg (Dagny, Melissa Horn), spending creative time between London, LA, and Oslo.

Looking Ahead.

For Hanne, music is not just a career—it’s a way of understanding herself and the world. It’s her most powerful storytelling tool.

What began as a solo endeavor has now grown into a fully independent operation with management and label support in both Norway and the UK. With a steadily growing fanbase and exciting new projects coming in 2025, Hanne Leland continues to evolve—proving that with relentless passion and determination, it is possible to build an international music career on your own terms.