Haley Mae Campbell Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Haley Mae Campbell Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

• Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing about you for the

first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen

or heard you?

Well to any new fans, hello! I describe my music as folk-rock storytelling mixed with pop-country hooks. As far as myself, I am a sequin-lover and an avid tea-drinker, who loves being on stage just as much as kicking back and binging New Girl on Netflix!

• How did you choose the title for the CD?  Is there a story behind the name?

The title of the EP, “Lovers Lottery,” comes from a lyric in one of the tracks on the EP called “Take a Chance.” That particular song was actually first released on my 2015 record, “Hugs & Disses,” but has always stuck with me and been a staple of my live shows. I loved the song so much that I wanted to re-record it in the style that we now perform it. When choosing a title, I combed through all of the lyrics on the EP and could help but become attached to “Lovers Lottery,” as I feel it is a perfect representation of the stories on the EP.

• What is the difference between your last CD and your current one?

My last release, “EP Phone Home,” was a folk-rock record comprised of my most pure creative thoughts. It was such a fun process to record and release, and definitely a much different style than the music I am making now. Since moving to Nashville, I have been co-writing with new and old friends, and getting a much clearer vision of who I am as an artist. I think that “Lovers Lottery” perfectly captures who I am now, and who I have been over the last two years.

• How much creative control do you have over your music?

One of the things I am enjoying about being an independent artist at the moment, is that I have complete creative control over my music. I get to write it, help produce it, decide when to release it, and design artwork and visuals that I feel best represent it. It’s definitely a lot of work, but it’s such a great reward when people respond positively to a project that I’ve worked so hard on!

• What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights and

achievements which you are proud of?

There are definitely some moments that stick out to me as milestones. Shortly after moving to Nashville, I was invited to play Whiskey Jam, which was one of my bucket list dreams. Among others are opening for Sheryl Crow, hitting over 100,000 streams on Spotify, and so many more. I have a feeling that this year is going to bring some more incredible experiences my way!

• When you get time off, how do you like to relax?

When I have a day off (which is pretty rare at this point), I love to hang around my house in the comfiest sweatpants I can find, and re-watch my favorite shows on Netflix. Currently, a few of my favorites are New Girl, Jane the Virgin, and The Office!

• What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?

Glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. I love to wear sequins on stage, and at this point it’s kind of become my signature look. Performing has always been my favorite part of the job, so any time I get up on stage, I want to make a big impression. Fun things like a flashy outfit, bedazzled microphone, and energetic performance help me deliver the best possible experience to my audience. Oh, and expect to take a crowd selfie!

• As an artist, you have so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews. What do you

like best, what’s your favorite activity?

I would definitely say that touring is my favorite part of the job so far. Getting to travel around and perform for different audiences, to me there’s no other feeling like it. I love to share my songs and my stories, and make a personal connection with fans. Social media is a great tool for staying connected, but there’s really nothing like meeting and talking with fans out on the road.

• What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story

behind it?

From the new EP, I’d have to say that “Oughta Be” was my favorite song to record. It was the first song recorded with my band in Nashville, and the first song produced by Zachary Manno, who ended up producing the rest of the record. We were originally going in the studio just for fun, but I fell in love with the finished product, and that’s when we decided to get back in the studio and finish out a whole EP. I’m so glad that I’m able to share this song as a single, and I hope the fans love it as much as I do!

• How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?

The last year has been incredible for me career-wise. I moved to Nashville, had the chance to play Whiskey Jam, finished a new EP, booked a co-write with one of my favorite songwriters (Liz Longley, check her out!), and opened for some incredible artists. One moment I remember vividly was hearing the finished “Lovers Lottery” masters for the first time. It was such an incredible feeling to have these songs tracked exactly the way I dreamed they would be, and I can’t wait to share them with the world.