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A Christmas single two years in the making is hoping to provide a “safe space for people who have lost someone” whilst also raising funds for bereavement support.
Hannah Jacques has recorded ‘You’re Still Here’ with her 12-strong local choir Acapella Jersey.
It is currently available for pre-sale on iTunes and due for wide release on 24 November.
Hannah – an ex-professional singer who now works as a personal trainer and choir musical director – said the "whole vibe of the song was about making a safe space for people who have lost someone, to allow them to feel into their emotions and reflect".
"This song will stand the test of time," she said.
"The lyrics will ring true and affect different people in years to come, because it's something that, unfortunately, we will always have to experience."
Hannah was inspired to write the song back in December 2021, after a friend passed away close to Christmas.
She explained: "I thought how awful it was for families to try and explain passing away to children, especially near Christmas, and that sparked the song.
"While we were working on it, one of my choir members' daughters took her own life.
"That led the song to where it is today, to raise money for bereavement support, which is such an important part of the healing process."
Hannah knows firsthand about the work of the team of Jersey Hospice Care, who were there for her when her grandmother passed away in 2018, and now she wants to give back.
"We will have a bandcamp page for donations, as well as receiving proceeds through sale of the record," she said.
"The goal is then to present Jersey Hospice Care with a big, bright cheque in the new year."
Hannah added that the song had been a "collaboration", with her mother pitching in some lyric help, local producer Phil Le Cheminant mixing and mastering the record, and Chris Morgan from beats.je carrying out the microphone work.
"We've already had lovely feedback about the record, and more responses already than we thought we could ever get," said Hannah.
You can listen to a preview of the 'You're Still Here' HERE or pre-order HERE.
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