Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
Hi Hayley, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Hi Vents! I’m good thanks, I’ve been keeping creative this year writing new music and co writing with some great writers from all over the world via zoom. Music has definitely helped me get through lockdown having a focus!
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Breathe”/Inspiration
Breathe was written earlier on in May during lockdown. I co wrote it via zoom with Newcastle based Hattie Murdoch who also produced the track. Suddenly the pace of life had slowed right down and for me it was a time to slow down and reflect and make the most of the outdoors, and write new music! Although it had its tough times I tried to make use of the time and I felt grateful the countryside was on my doorstep so I could appreciate nature even more than before. The weather was lush too. I wanted to write a song which was uplifting, happy and had a good message for people to try and appreciate the smaller things in life as we are all usually running around in a bit of a rat race.
How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
I loved working on the music video to Breathe. I worked with Richard Doney and we wanted to get some nice scenic shots outside around the North East which reflected some of the nature and locations. One of the scenes was at Saltburn beach which I really enjoyed because it was also a great excuse to go to the beach! We got a lode of footage and pieced it all together so it was a pretty loose creative approach.
How was the recording and writing process?
It was great to co write and collaborate with Hattie, and the melody and song came together pretty quickly, as did the recording. Matthew Parisi did a great job on mixing/mastering and singer songwriter and guitarist David Neil Crabtree added some lovely guitar to the production.
I recorded the vocals at The Forum Music Centre in my hometown Darlington which is like my second home!
What role does the UK play in your music?
Even though the weather is unpredictable in the UK, I think we are lucky to have the different seasons and the different colours that it brings. Though I wish summer was longer and these dark nights didn’t kick in so fast!
I live in the north east of England, Co Durham and there is a lot of greenery on our doorstep. We aren’t far from the coast and we arn’t far from the countryside!
I do of course also love going to cities especially London and Brighton which is where I used to live, it is great to have the diversity in the UK of the different places to visit. The North East has had some great musicians including Sam Fender, Lindisfarne, Sting, Mark Knopkler amongst many others and there is a good folk scene too. I love some of the folk songs and I guess there is that similarity between folk and country music in that usually has a story or a message which is vocally led.
Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?
Yes I have new material coming out in 2021 and I have a Christmas song coming out in December called Small Christmas, which is very apt for 2020!
I’ve been co writing with various writers this year on zoom including award winning Bill DiLuigi in Nashville, Phil Caffrey, Hattie Murdoch, Claire Hamill (Wishbone Ash/Eva Cassidy) and Andy Vitolo. I also brought out a single earlier on in the year, which went to no 1 in the ignition country charts and picked up great response.
What else is happening next in Hayley McKay’s world?
I also teach singing and run workshops within the community and at The Forum Music Centre. I also recently took part in a training course in Reiki which I find really interesting!
I’m currently working on new songs in the studio and getting ready for my hometown gig at The Forum Music centre 18th December. I’m looking forward to some exciting gigs in 2021, some of which include C2C London and The British Country Festival.
