HAVAN /‘ˈheɪvʌn/

Just like her music, Hanne has a kaleidoscope of roots and experiences. Born in Ghent (BE), daughter of a Canadian mother, having lived abroad in many different places outside of Belgium and now living in Brussels. 

At the age of 19, she self produced a CD and sold it to finance her travels abroad. She spent a total of 4 years in South Africa, England and Germany, among other places. The time of personal orientation in the unknown was necessary. “Sometimes you first have to let go of something to pick it up again afterwards with a bit more wisdom.” The love for music production brought her back to Belgium to study Music Production at the Conservatory of Ghent. This opened a range of musical friendships and collaborations with Ruben Van Hijfte, RAMAN.,  Willem Theerens, Natan Goessens, L.I.N.A.R.D among others.

Over the past years, she has performed acoustic shows as a duo with bassplayer Ruben Van Hijfte on several occasions. Although the intimate HAVAN sound has been well received with enthusiasm in sporadic living room concerts, cafes, The Rua Room and the Open Mic at the Depot, there was still a growing desire to be able to showcase a bigger sound that had been hidden until now behind the girl with the guitar. Since 2022, 3 singles have been released as a foretaste. In september 2023 she released her debut album “Words for Who. This album is the first full-fledged musical footprint left by Hanne Vanhyfte-Dollery under the HAVAN project. The opening track 'Heaven Belongs to You' is a high speed train of conjuring rhythms and synths that comes at you only to be followed by a warm blanket of dreamy guitars and intimate songwriting for the rest of the songs. 

“Hanne has a great voice in which we occasionally recognize some of Alanis Morissette and Joni Mitchell. Her songs are also somewhat along the lines of the Canadian singer-songwriters, equally bright and with as much variety.” Bart Verlent, Luminous Dash 

In February 2024 she was selected to join the MAANROCK Rally with her brand new band and counted herself as one of the winners. HAVAN was able to showcase her big sound in Mechelen this Summer at the MAANROCK festival.