ORLANDO, Fla. — Although Orlando is known to attract big-name artists from Bad Bunny to the Rolling Stones, a closer look at the City Beautiful’s live music scene uncovers a diverse array of local bands and musicians who create a vibrant sonic tapestry.

Hannah Stokes is one recognizable name in Orlando’s local music scene. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter began writing music at the age of 12 and is now preparing to release her debut full-length album.

The title track to “Right Where I Belong” is set to release on June 13, the same day that Stokes will play her album release party at Tuffy’s Music Box in Sanford joined by her band, plus supporting artists Megan Roxane Shea and Morgan Joyce Hart. The full album is expected to be released this summer, showcasing Stokes’ signature style that blends jazz, folk, soul and R&B music.

After drawing early songwriting inspiration from alternative rock artists and Taylor Swift’s first album, Stokes pursued music more seriously at Valencia College and Rollins College. For the last five years, Stokes has made her living as a full-time musician.

Ahead of her upcoming album release, the Orlando Sentinel sat down with Stokes at Easy Luck Coffee & Bodega in the Milk District to discuss her upbringing and career in music.

[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]

Q: How did you begin your journey in music?

A: My dad had his guitar in the house. He was my first introduction to music and always loved listening to music. When I became interested in instruments, there was already a guitar there. I started learning guitar by looking at a chord dictionary and trying to figure it out. I started teaching myself piano and when I was 12, I tried guitar again. I started teaching myself on YouTube and Ultimate Guitar and learning my favorite songs. That inspired me to write my own song.

Q: When do you remember writing your first song?

A: I remember writing my first song on piano. It was an instrumental piece and it was called “Butterfly Wings.” I was probably 11 or 12, and I was like, “Yeah, this slaps. Yeah, this is great.” Then, funnily enough, Taylor Swift’s first record inspired me to write a song on guitar with lyrics. So I wrote the title track of my first EP, which came out when I was 16.

Q: What did it take to go from your early days of songwriting to making it your full-time career?

A: It was mostly just meeting people who wanted to help me. I worked at Fun Spot for six years and I worked at 4 Rivers. I wanted to quit. One of my friends had an opportunity for me and asked, “Why don’t you come teach music lessons?” That summer, I met a ton of musicians that needed a singer. So I started performing with more bands. I met the guitar player that I work with now and we played up to five times a week doing random gigs and stuff. That really changed everything. I’ve had a lot of help from people around me who have given me tips and taught me stuff and connected me with the right people.

Q: What did it take to write and put together this full-length album?

A: The oldest song on this record is probably the third song I ever wrote in my life. The newest song I finished about two weeks ago. These are tunes that I’ve been performing since I was 17 that I haven’t been able to record and things that I’ve written in the past several years. It’s cool to have that range of myself and my sound and the type of songs that I write. With this being my first full-length album, it’s important to keep it as pure as possible.

As an artist, you have to believe in yourself more than anybody else believes in you. That’s tough with all the things that you face every day. You deal with rejection and deal with having the confidence to ask for things. It’s really mentally and emotionally tough. Having people who believe in me has really changed my life. Writing a song and arranging it for a band is one thing but pushing it into headphones is a totally different thing.

Q: What are some of the themes that come up on this record?

A: It’s about being able to operate as a human and navigate through growing up and living and interacting with people. It’s about figuring out love and purpose and identity, which are all things that never really go away. It’s not something you just figure out. The themes have matured and the sound has matured because I’m 26 and not 16 anymore.

Q: What’s the most effective people to make sure your music reaches people?

A: Meeting people in person is the most impactful, effective and gratifying way to do it. It feels like I’m really connecting to somebody, which is the ultimate goal of any of this. I’m not just trying to market my music so I can be a millionaire and make money. It’s so I can connect with people over things that I care about. Eventually, I would love to go on a little tour or open for a bigger artist who is already doing an East Coast tour.

If you go

The Hannah Stokes Band’s “Right Where I Belong” album release begins at 8 p.m. June 13 at 200 Myrtle Ave. in Sanford with doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $21.74 online for general admission. More information: tuffysmusicbox.com.

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