Hailey Dawn's songs feel so personal, so authentic. Her song "the freshman" is an ethereal journey, that touches on isolation, longing, and regret but it feels comforting in a way. We talked to her about staying delusional in a world that will keep tearing you down and how she stays motivated.
Well, let's just dive in. Can you tell me how you started your music journey?
Hailey: So I've really been into music my whole life. Ever since I was little, I've been writing songs since I was probably about seven years old. And I think mainly it was because my parents didn't do anything musical, but my dad always was just like a very big appreciator of music. So he was always playing music for me, and there was always music playing. And I think he's probably one of the main reasons why I ended up getting so interested in music.
And how did you kind of start your own thing? What were the steps for you?
Hailey: I was very into Taylor Swift and her first two albums as a child. And I think just the fact that she wrote her own songs kind of got through to me at a young age, and it made me want to do the same thing. It was kind of as simple as that. I was like, "Oh, well, this is kind of a fun thing." Just like some kids want to, I don't know, draw pictures or whatever. I just was starting to write little songs all the time. I just didn't stop.
I think it's so crazy how many people, probably Taylor Swift, have influenced this next generation. You know what I mean? We're now seeing a rise of all these girls who are now like songwriters, which is awesome.
Hailey: Totally. I'm all for it. But yeah, Taylor Swift was definitely a very big inspiration for me as a child.
Can you tell me about your songwriting process?
Hailey: I care a lot about the lyrics of whatever song I'm writing. So it's always really important to me when writing something to know what the sort of concept of the whole song is going to be because I have to feel like there's a direction and somewhere that's going. It just means a lot to me in that way. And so, usually, I kind of want to have the concept of whatever the song is figured out before I even start writing it, kind of like an outline for an essay or something like that. And usually, most often, I like to write songs on the piano just because I'm better at playing piano than guitar, but I also can play things on guitar too. And yeah, that's basically the process. I also would like to do everything handwritten. I'm not the kind of person that writes lyrics into my phone app or anything like that. It just feels like it's not real when I do it that way. And I don't know. It's too easy to delete things on the phone. I really prefer writing things on paper. So, I have a ton of songwriting notebooks.
You know you meet people, and they're like lyric people or melody people? And there are some people that are like, "I don't even listen to lyrics." I can never comprehend that. I'm such a lyrics girly.
Hailey: No, me too. And not that melody isn't important. Obviously, I want the song to sound really cool. But it is also very important to me that I guess the song has some sort of point to it. And it doesn't need to be like really deep or something. I just want to know where it's going.
I think that makes sense. And can you tell me about your song, The Freshman, and the story behind it?
Hailey: That was a song that I actually started writing a few years ago. I believe the summer of 2021, I had just come up with the chorus for it because that sort of time in my life was-- we were still in-- with the pandemic and all the lockdowns. And it was definitely very hard on me for a lot of reasons. Starting college in 2020, like I did as a freshman in 2020. And it was very, very difficult for me just in terms of the isolation aspect and going to a new city and not knowing anyone. And like a lot of people, I felt like I lost some really important kind of time in my life in a way that you don't really get back. And this song was sort of about coping with that lost time and just regretful feeling because I just wanted to get that out of my system so I could never think about it again, basically.
I feel like the pandemic changed all of the ways we think in ways that are so difficult to come to terms with because we were literally locked up for so long. And we had to be like, "What the fuck have I done with my life?"
Hailey: I try not to even think about the pandemic in those days because - oh my God - so many things just totally changed overnight. And I feel like we're not going to know until many, many years from now all of the effects besides the tragic ones, all of the mental effects and societal effects that this actually had. I honestly think we just don't even-- we're not ready for that conversation. We have no idea.
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you in your career?
Hailey: I think one of the biggest challenges has probably been myself sometimes. When you decide that music is something that you really, really want to do, you're going to have a lot of people think that you're kind of insane. And you have to have a very strong sense of confidence in yourself. And it's impossible to keep that up all the time. So a lot of times, when I would talk to industry people and stuff like that, I had to put up this big front and be confident. But then when you're on your own, that's the real battle that you're always trying to fight in your mind of like, "I feel good about my music and what I'm doing, and this is the right path," because there's nobody there to tell you that besides yourself. You have to do that. And sometimes, it does feel kind of delusional. So that is definitely a very big thing. It's just remaining like-- keeping the faith in yourself is sort of cheesy as that sounds. It can be difficult.
I definitely think so much of what young women need in music is to be delusional because I think people who are so confident in themselves, it's so hard. It's so hard to do. And if you're just a little bit delusional, you can accomplish so much more.
Hailey: So I'm so glad you're saying this because I'm definitely slightly delusional, but I kind of take pride in that.
Yeah, you have to. Everyone's going to be against you. And I think this is something the huge difference between men and women is men just think that they deserve things, and women think that they don't. And I think it's so helpful for young women, especially, to be like, "I do deserve this. I am this talented." And it's a mental trick. It's a mental thing you have to do because no one else tells you that.
Hailey: And that's one of the main things that I tell myself at certain times, which is nonsensical. It's like every sort of mental health battle that, even if it's just nothing to do with music, there are good days and bad days in life. What I would tell myself, even if I'm really doubting, is, "Oh, why am I doing this?" And I don't know if this is going to work out, but I'm still miles better off now, having tried and done all of this than I would have if I had tried, and that's something.
What kind of do you do to stay motivated? Do you have any mental systems? Have anything you tell yourself? Because music is just such a-- I don't want to say competitive, but they're oversaturated, right?
Hailey: I mean, not to say this again, but number one is always stay delusional like we said. But in terms of actual practical things, I always am making sure that I'm taking time to-- I don't know if engage with art is the right word, but to just view art by other people. And all inspiration comes from-- artists get all inspiration from all of the people who have ever done art before. No one is truly 100% original.
People that we consider to be original all have their own influences and are a combination of those influences. So, the best way to get new ideas is by just being out and being observant. And that also makes you feel better mentally because you're out, you're doing things, and you're always observing. Even if it's your artist's brain has to always be turned on. You could be out at the club with friends, and someone will be drunk and randomly say something really philosophical. And I will literally pull out my phone and write it in my notes app. So yeah, I feel like always being observational puts a sense of wonder into your life, which is a very valuable thing. That is the reason I think I love music so much. It's like the lens through which I view the world and make sense of things, and it allows me to keep wondering in my life, which is very important to me.
I love that so much. And my last thing would just be-- I mean, it's kind of on the same line, but what would your best advice be for young women who are in music?
Hailey: My best advice would be to not give up. Again, that's really basic sounding, but honestly, even when it comes to songwriting, I've had times where I've had a long time go by, and I just haven't been able to get myself to go and write something for no reason. And then all of a sudden, you'll write something and everything will be fine. And I'm like, "Why do I put myself through this?" Even when it feels like it's hard, you just have to keep going and keep writing, and you'll always be better for it every time. And there's so many people telling you to give up, so. Yeah. All the time.
Emily Treadgold
