Hailing from a city know for the vibrancy of its culture, Hayes Warner is the newest NYC native that is set to augment the city’s music scene. Drawing inspiration from some of the biggest pop icons of the last few decades – ranging from P!nk, Ke$ha and Avril Lavigne – Warner’s colour-laden pop sound is a joy on the ears, paying homage to the sounds that came before and exploring the further possibilities of the genre. Epitomising the nonchalance and carefree attitude of the city that she calls home, Warner is striking in her writing, performance and image.
Accumulating a significant following on social media, specifically TikTok, Hayes is very much a modern musician, tactically gaining hype around her artistry before even releasing a track on streaming platforms. She unveiled her first official single in late November of last year. “Shut Up” is a playful and anthemic number that showcased the singer-songwriter’s star quality and compelling craft. Brimming with sass and satisfaction, it’s a perfect introduction into the style and approach of Warner. She has now followed up the previous effort with fresh cut, “Airport”, which is another dazzling pop banger that continues to illustrate her talent.
2023 is a big year for Warner, performing at SxSW in March, a support slot confirmed for Lewis Capaldi in Dubai at the Coca Cola arena, and her debut EP en route this summer, the artist looks set to soar future into the popular music sphere through the annum.
We caught up with Hayes to chat about her artistic journey, her New York background, and her future goals in music.
Listen to “Airport”…
Read the full interview below…
What inspires you to make music?
Ever since I was young, I’ve been really inspired by music in all forms. From musical theatre, to watching movies about music, to seeing my favourite artists play in concert, I’ve always been emotionally attached to music and the way it has helped me understand my feelings. For me, music has always been the best form of communication. Creating songs that express my experiences and seeing other people relate to them is what drives me to make music. It’s the best way for me to connect with other people.
Who are your influences?
I grew up listening to P!nk, Joan Jett, Blondie, Annie Lennox, Madonna, and Gwen Stefanie. I love their in-your-face, rebellious music, and it has definitely influenced my sound.
Talk us through your musical journey to this point?
Since I can remember, I was always performing – there are videos of me belting out musical numbers in front of my family since I was three years old. I grew up in New York, and started auditioning for musical theatre productions where I fell in love with singing, dancing, and acting. When I was fourteen, I met music producers through the shows I was performing in and started to really hone my sound with them. I knew songwriting was what I wanted to do with my life, and even though no one in my circle really understood how the music industry worked, I was determined to find a way into it. After I graduated high school, I was lucky to get a great musical theatre program for college, and I spent those four years grinding in a studio any chance I got. I graduated in 2022 and immediately dove head first into pursuing my artist career with music I had created throughout my life.
This past year, I signed to Glassnote Music’s publishing branch as a songwriter, toured with Fetty Wap, had a few of my music TikToks go viral and have been focused on finishing my first EP in the studio (due Spring 2023). I’ve had so many unbelievable experiences this year surrounding my past few single releases – I just got back from performing at SXSW in Austin, and I found out there that I’m going to be opening for Lewis Capaldi’s tour in October. I can’t wait for what’s ahead!
What is it about making music that gives you drive and ambition?
It’s the output of expression that really exhilarates me. Whether I’m sad, happy, or stressed, the release of that emotion is so satisfying. The fact that I’m able to get my feelings onto paper and then have them be sonically mirrored is so therapeutic for me. I started making music in the first place to relate and provide this for other people, and I’m determined to put in the work to reach them. Whether that’s posting on social media, performing at any venue I can, staying up late in the studio, or DMing with people that have followed my music, it’s the extra work outside of writing that makes me feel like I’m getting my songs out to the world and connecting with people .
How would you define your sound?
Fiery, empowering, high-energy and emotional. Whether it’s with a synth, guitar, or bass, I want my music to have grit. However, I also love straying from my signature sound and being vulnerable sometimes. My favorite artists are constantly exploring with their music and reinventing, so that’s what I aspire to do as well.
What would you reckon our readers to do in New York if they visit?
There are some legendary venues in New York with up-and-coming artists performing all the time. I grew up going to those clubs, and got to see artists before they really blew up (like 2016, when I saw Dua Lipa at a 250 capacity room). Mercury Lounge, Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Ballroom, Baby’s All Right, Irving Plaza to name a few!
I would also recommend going to Brooklyn – Red Hook, Bushwick, and GreenPoint – those areas have some of the coolest restaurants and bars in my opinion!
How has being from New York shaped the way you write?
The energy in New York is like no other – it’s electrifying. Everyone is minding their own business and hustling to get to where they want to be in life. It’s super motivating, but also to get heard or be seen, and it takes a lot of determination to break through the noise. There’s an edge and grit to New York that I really miss whenever I’m out of the city, and I try to bring that same energy into my music. Because I spend so much time here, there is a lot of New York influence in my music.
Do you think it’s easier to succeed in the industry coming from a hugely popular city like New York?
I am hugely grateful that I grew up in such an entertainment-driven city. It’s allowed me the opportunity to be exposed to the industry at a very early age, which helped me to realize my passion. At the same time, big cities can be unforgiving, and to keep my dreams going, I’ve had to pick myself up and not be discouraged by hearing constant “no’s”.
What is your best moment in your career to date?
My favorite part of being a songwriter has been performing my music live. Getting to tour with Fetty Wap last year was so incredible – I met different people around the country who liked my music. Overall, though, it’s been my performances with newer music that have been the most exhilarating. Last month, I sold out Mercury Lounge in New York City, which is a venue I’ve been going to my whole life. After my first song, the venue had to be evacuated for a few minutes because it was so far over capacity! The energy of the crowd made me emotional, and it was surreal seeing how many people were supporting my music career and singing my lyrics back to me.
From your POV, how have apps like TikTok changed the way the industry works?
TikTok has definitely been both a blessing and a curse. I love teasing my unreleased music and seeing how people react. There’s something very cool and organic about Tiktok, which can be ironic given how much it has changed and morphed the music industry. It totally impacts my release strategy and sometimes even inspires me to write new lyrics or change parts of the song. At the same time, I have definitely gotten discouraged when a song I’m really proud of doesn’t get the reaction I want it to on Tiktok right away. I’m super grateful for the response that “SHUT UP” and my most recent single “Airport” have already gotten on the app. TikTok has helped me connect with the people that listen to my music, which is definitely one of my favorite parts of being a new artist.
“SHUT UP” is a great track! Talk us through the creative process of the track?
I wrote “SHUT UP” when I was in the mood to write something sassy. During a writing session when I was exploring song concepts, I thought back to a few nights prior when I was watching one of my best friends talk to someone she really liked at a bar. I obviously leaned in to eaves-drop on their conversation, and I heard my friend making fun of her crush’s top. When the crush would teased her back, she would respond with a playful “Shut upppppp.” Both of them were super giddy and their light-hearted teasing had so much flirtatious energy. I thought it would be fun to write a song about this phase of flirting where neither person will admit that there are feelings involved and it’s just super playful. I think this stage right before you realize you’re really into someone is the most exciting stage of flirting – everyone’s confident and there are no stakes.
I also thought about the childish behavior that comes out when I’m flirting with someone for the first time. The butterflies make it almost impossible to think straight (my friends tell me that I “lose all of my brain cells” in these moments). I wanted to add these childish element into the song, which you can really see in the song’s post-chorus “na-na” hook, and some of the lyrics (“I see you and I’m seasick,” “I think it’s kinda fun making fun of your feelings,” etc), as well as the distorted guitar sound.
Where do you want to take your artistry?
I hope one day I can be an inspiration to young aspiring artists. My dream is to own an entertainment company and sign artists I believe in- helping to support and shape their careers. I want to leave a mark on the music industry. I can’t imagine doing anything else!
What’s next for you?
I’m releasing my first EP this summer and writing/producing new music as much as possible. I am also going on my first Northeastern tour this spring and hope to see as many of my listeners in person while out on the road! One of my next biggest moments will be opening for the Lewis Capaldi tour. What happens after that, I’ll welcome with open arms
What are your long term goals?
My long term goals are to continue making music and spreading it to as many ears as possible. I also want to go out on the road at every possible chance, and perform for crowds. More broadly, I want to stay involved in the music industry, and one day take what I’ve learned and pass it on to younger artists doing what I’m doing now.
