Q+A: Country singer Hunter Hayes, 24: ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life’
Twenty-four-year-old singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes is a re
freshing voice in country music, and not just because he had three songs – “Wanted,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak” and “I Want Crazy” – from his debut album, “Hunter Hayes,” hit the top of the charts.
Enthusiastic and talkative Louisiana native Hayes, who started performing at age 7, clearly still enjoys his career after 17 years and has a clear goal in his concerts.
“I want to make sure that the show is as absolutely transpa
rent as possible, like we’re best friends,” Hayes said. “Things are in the shows like you know the audience even though you’ve never met them. I want that intimacy. I want to dig deeper.”
Hayes answered questions over the phone Monday morning ahead of his concert tonight at The Chelsea in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas with opening act Cassadee Pope. What was scheduled to be a 10- to 15-minute interview clocked in at nearly 30 minutes:
What can your fans expect in your concert at The Chelsea on Saturday night?
(Laughs) it is always a challenge answering that question. I don’t even know what to expect, to be honest. With work on the new album, we’re not playing as many shows this summer, but it’s been an awesome summer of shows. We’re digging into deeper and deeper stuff. Of course we’re playing music from the debut album. The fans just made it multiplatinum. We’re playing songs we haven’t played in a long time. The shows are my favorite part. It makes sense of it all and brings everything full circle. The shows mean even more to us now, and it’s pretty obvious that it’s been really fun. We are listening to our fans, too, who tweet out requests. We put them into consideration. We try our best! I’m sorry, Don, it takes me a while to get to my point sometimes (laughs). I think there’s a deeper connection in the shows and more connection to the music, a vulnerability to it. I’ve learned a great deal in the last four to five years.
You’re working on a new album and single. Can you talk about them?
I can, but no details that you want (laughs)! I’m giddy about this new record, laughably excited. I feel like a kid again. I’m finally seeing the light after dark times in a proper, creative sense. You’re suppose to have challenges and hurdles creatively, and I’ve had quite a few, but I wouldn’t change it because of the results. It’s been an awesome process writing. We have 100 songs and are narrowing it down! I feel like I still have something to say, we’re still writing, but mostly recording. We’ve been playing some new stuff live.
What was the inspiration behind “The 21 Project,” your creative acoustic, studio and live project release last November?
I’m glad you asked about that project! Last summer, we wanted to release music in a different way. The label was behind us, and it was exciting as a music maker that the label didn’t think I was crazy. They didn’t blink an eye at all about this experimental stage. I’m still a believer in physical records, and everyone listens to music differently. We learned a lot from that process. Seven felt like the right number, so 21 versions of seven songs, and we’d been playing 21 a lot! We multi-track nearly every show. I can’t stand listening to myself, but it’s good to study the show. I love acoustic and live records. I love the bluegrass sound, so these songs are reimagined. I told them that it would take two days, that it was super easy. It was ambitious, but we did it, and it was so fun. We put something out that celebrated the experimental nature of what we did all summer. And we gave fans way more! The fans really liked the acoustic record, and it gives us a reason to do more acoustic.
You won a People’s Choice Award last year for Favorite Male Country Artist and were the CMA New Artist of the Year in 2012. How does it feel for you to win awards at such a young age?
(Pauses) it’s so encouraging and inspiring and uplifting. The People’s Choice Award was such a big boost, with fans voting and supporting me in such a big way. My fans never cease to amaze me. These moments mean so such to me, including the small moments like fans sharing a story about what a song means to them. I’m younger in an industry of pros, and I never expect to be taken seriously. You don’t assume to be welcomed to the club. These awards aren’t taken lightly, and I feel a whole bunch of gratitude. It fires me up!
Your debut album, “Hunter Hayes,” yielded three No. 1 songs, “Wanted,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak” and “I Want Crazy.” How does it feel to hit the top of the charts?
That’s the dream, man, when people decide your music should be part of the playlist. I can’t compare that to anything else. It’s an absolute dream come true. It’s validating, and it makes you feel welcome, not just accepted. It’s inspiring. It’s awesome, dude, when stations you’ve listened to for a long time throw you into the mix!
You’re 24 and can play more than 30 instruments? How’d that happen?
Play is a relative term (laughs). It’s a product of the way I work. I lock myself in the studio and make noise for days on end, the steel guitar, mandolin, slide for Dobro parts. It’s all about the creative process for me. That’s how things come to me and was born out of necessity.
What is your favorite instrument?
Electric guitar. You see that in the shows.
You’ve performed in Las Vegas often. What do you like about Las Vegas?
All the obvious things! Las Vegas is a fun, energetic, electric city. It’s all about shows and performance and being moved by a performance, so concerts fit in there pretty well. There is always something new to see onstage. We’re usually in and out, but yeah, dude, it’s an exciting city. It’s a one-of-a-kind place built around shows, and it’s exciting.
You’ve traveled across the globe on tour. Is there a city or country that stands out?
Oh, man, yes and no. Every place has something different, there is a different vibe in every town. I love that, it’s ever-changing. But, ultimately, it’s all about the crowd. Show days are seriously scheduled and packed, and it’s really the people who come to the show. We’ve seen a lot of cool places. My parents went with me to Ireland. My dad always wanted to go, and it was a sold-out show. We have really awesome support in Japan, the fans knew every word to every song. “Invisible” was No. 1 there for two weeks. It’s been absolute epic stuff you could never dream up. Australia was awesome; they love country music. I have a list of places I’d like to visit, and the music has taken me there, and the fans bring me there. It’s rad, man.
Who are some of your favorite artists, and who inspires you?
Well, it goes on a week-by-week thing. My current obsession is Jon Bellion and the messages he writes about. They’re faith-based songs that are incredibly written. I’m so thrilled about his record. It’s a great songwriting record, there is a real-ness to it, the production is sick, and the grooves are insanely awesome. I love CAM. I’m way late to the party with her. I’ve studied that record, I love it, I love her range. I’m a huge fan, I’ve been a huge fan. I like to listen to records for a while, study them, listen to the parts and writing. That’s how I look up to artists, and it pushes me to try new things in the studio.
You started performing when you were 7, so it’s been 17 years now. What would you tell someone who is starting out in country music today?
(Pauses) hmmm, advice? I’m terrible at advice. Welcome, welcome to the family! I thought that it would take a lot time to be accepted. It did not! Nashville is a beautiful city, a great second home. You feel the energy of the music. The city is driven by music even if you’re not in music. Country music is a beautiful place, there is room for everybody to talk about all types of experiences, tell stories and connect. Country fans are the best fans in the world. So many styles that are welcomed. Don’t be afraid to reach out for advice and ask questions. Everybody has been welcoming and helpful. It’s more awesome than I thought it would be. Country music is a family, a great family.
What is a remaining goal in your career?
To keep making musical noise (laughs). I have tons of goals and lists that are only interesting to me. I want to keep going and make the best record I can make, not settle and stop just to make a deadline. I want to make sure that the show is as absolutely transparent as possible, like we’re best friends. Things are in the shows like you know the audience even though you’ve never met them. I want that intimacy. I want to dig deeper and also get back into more traveling, get on the road. We miss it. I want do this for the rest of my life.
What is on your to-do list when you’re not working in Las Vegas?
There’s a whole list, man, a couple of new restaurants I want to try. I have to stay away from the shops. It’s dangerous out there (laughs). There are some rocking music stores, and my friends at Exotics Racing. It used to be an annual thing, to ride these ridiculously fast cars where you feel like a kid again.
Hunter Hayes headlines The Chelsea in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas tonight with opening act Cassadee Pope.
