Meet Hank Mehren | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hank Mehren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hank, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I was a kid, maybe 8 or 9, we were given a piano and I expressed interest in it; learning nursery rhymes by ear. I was fortunate enough I started taking lessons and studied classical piano up through high school. I really stuck with it and after sometime, the career path just sort of fell into place. From playing for tips at farmer markets/coffee shops to playing in bands, recording, arranging, gigging and teaching, music never fell short of avenues to venture down. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are a few sides to what I do as an artist here in LA. There’s the “jazz” pianist, a lover of swing, blues, funk and the great American songbook. You can find me playing with various friends/musicians at Jones Coffee or crooning solo/accompanying a singer for patrons at The Nice Guy. I am also excited for another year of touring with Pokey LaFarge, whose band I joined in November 2022. We toured the US and EU last year and I played keys on his new album that comes out this spring and a 2024 tour is in line to showcase that. Then there’s the songwriter/producer, a hat that I am excited to be finally putting some more wear into. I’m currently finishing up my first solo EP called Faces that I’ll be releasing under “honkanonymous”, which is a continuation of a project I started years ago making music in my bedroom.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Definitely have to go to the beach, get a Bays Cities sub on the way or hike a bit in the San Gabriels, stop at Connal’s in Altadena for an avocado grinder and fries. Maybe there is music happing at The York or the Lodge Room, stop at Checker Hall next door for some bomb food and drink. The hikes, food, and live jazz all over the city are enough to pass the time for me, at least!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have an endless list of people I owe gratitude but I have to give thanks to all my mentors over the years, my community of friends and music lovers, and of course my family for their unwavering support in my pursuit of a life in music. 

Instagram: @hank.mehren @honk_anonymous @pokeylafarge

Image Credits
Danielle Head