This month’s Artist Spotlight features Hayley Reardon, a young singer-songwriter with an old soul! With a voice that is distinctively rich and a contemplative sincerity in her songwriting, Reardon has far more in common with Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams, and Tracy Chapman than many of today’s young pop singer/songwriters, boasting a lyrical and melodic weight far beyond her years. This Cambridge, Massachusetts based artist has quite the story to tell as she first became widely known in her area as she was named 2012’s Bostonian of The Year by the Boston Globe Magazine in celebration of not only her music but her work to use it as a vessel for empowerment. Her humble approach to songwriting and contemplative lyrics also caught the attention of Performer Magazine describing her music as “brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul.” Her willingness to address social tensions in her music has made a profound impact with her supporters. Read on to see how Reardon’s approach to music and life has shaped her journey as an independent artist.
How would you describe your music?
Very lyric driven — thoughtful, reflective.
What prompted you to pursue music?
We always had a guitar in the house and I was about 11 when I decided to try and learn. My immediate instinct as soon as I knew a few chords was to start writing songs of my own and that’s the part I really fell in love with.
Tell us about your passion to empower and inspire social change and how are you incorporating your music with that mission?
Watch Hayley’s latest video, America The Beautiful
It’s no secret that America’s current social, political, and economical divide is at a crucial crossroad. What inspired you to pen a song about it?
This song came to me in a unique way as it is a re-write of the American patriotic anthem, “America the Beautiful.” The inspiration was the original version of that song and the simplicity and beauty of the ideals it represents. It popped into my head one day and just felt profoundly poignant within the context of today’s America.
What’s been the response to your work to inspire social change?
It’s really special to be able to speak to moments and topics that are weighing heavy on our collective heart as a country. I think we really need topical art in times like these and the response to “America the Beautiful” has certainly reflected that.
Tell us about the music scene in Boston, MA.
Boston and New England as a whole have a really lovely Americana, Roots & Folk music community that I’ve definitely found a creative home in. I’ve lived in Nashville as well and there’s something special here in the sense that people don’t move to Boston to “make it.” It just breeds a different energy and approach within the creative community that I really value.
Are you a full-time or part-time artist?
Full time at the moment!
What’s been your biggest money-maker with music? (Gigs, licensing, touring, teaching, etc.)
Touring has definitely been the most lucrative portion for me to date.
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What’s your favorite thing about being an independent artist?
I love that it’s so multifaceted and works in cycles. Writing and recording for me is very introspective and quiet, while touring is adventurous and social. Managing my email list, social media, and booking are all much more administrative and clear cut. I like getting to wear many hats.
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What’s the ultimate goal with your music?
I’ve never dreamed of playing in stadiums or being on TV or anything like that. My ultimate goal is just to live a healthy, comfortable life where I am able to make a living creating and playing my songs for people who value them.
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What advice can you share with other independent artists?
When it comes to growing my career and trying to make it work as an independent artist it always helps me to focus on building the parts that are tangibly mine. For me that’s writing and recording great music and continuing to grow how many bodies I can get in the seats in any particular city or venue. That sort of honing in gives me a real gauge by which to measure my growth and my efforts. I think that clarity can be invaluable to independent artists because while it’s exciting that there are so many new ways to reach fans and share music, I’ve found I get distracted and discouraged when I try to do and chase too much at once.
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What upcoming projects can we look forward to from you?
I’ll have a new EP out in early 2019. It’s called “Where I Know You” and is a collection of story songs about people in my life.
How do we keep in touch with you?
The best way to keep in touch is to sign up for my mailing list here. You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @hayleyreardon as well as Facebook.
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