Drew Haley – High In Denver

By: Ellie Yates

Q) Who were your musical influences growing up and have they influenced your sound at all? 

A) Growing up I listened to everything from Sheryl Crow to Otis Redding. My parents had quite the record collection, so I was exposed to a little bit of everything.

Q) What is the inspiration behind your new single “High in Denver?”

A) I wrote it during COVID. I love to travel and was really missing being on the road and thinking about how I can’t wait to do it again. I had a Germany tour scheduled for September 2020 that was canceled and I was pretty bummed.

Q) The song has a bit of a different sound to your previous releases, what was the reason behind the change?

A) As a songwriter, that’s common for me. I don’t really try to stick to a certain genre when I’m writing. I’ve written with lots of different artists in different genres over the years and I like the challenge and change.

Q) What do you hope fans take away from the song?

A) A sense of adventure and just a light-hearted, happy summer song that you can sing along to.

Q) How does your songwriting process work? Do you come up with the melody first and then the lyrics, or vice versa?

A) It’s always a feeling that comes first. I try to hone in on what I’m feeling and then I start writing and playing around with the hook idea. I love to cut to the chorus first and figure out what the point of the song is gonna be so then I know where to go in the verses.

Q) You’re also part of The Highway Women, who have just released the single “Dead Man Walking,” which you co-wrote. Is there a difference between writing solo songs and songs for a group? 

A) Definitely. When I’m writing solo stuff, I typically keep it more personal and with my vocals in mind or the artist I’m writing with in mind. It’s a lot of fun writing for a group and studying their sound and what works best for them vocally and melodically. It’s always exciting hearing them put their sound in the mix too

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I work really well with my producer, David Spencer. I love the songs we’ve put out together and I feel like he just gets my sound and hears it like I do. I’ve definitely become more comfortable over the years making decisions in the studio and voicing my opinion on the mix, but I don’t dare touch any of the knobs on the mixing boards. [laughs] That would be a disaster.

Q) You have a new EP coming out soon. What can fans expect to hear?

A) It’s got a little bit of everything really. Heartbreak, love, good times and mama.

Q) What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

A) Believe in your art and know that failing and falling is only part of learning how to walk. It’ll take shape as it’s supposed to, and your story absolutely matters. There’s a reason you were born with little songs in your heart and a reason you feel this need to share it. It’s because that’s your purpose and no matter what anyone tells you, cherish it and never give up on it. Don’t expect to win everyone over or have everyone’s approval because that’s just not reality. As long as you have your approval and are true to yourself, that’s all that matters

Q) You’re quite active on social media. How important do you think social media is, especially in the current climate, for keeping in touch with fans?

A) It’s huge. I used to be pretty terrible at it. Back before Instagram and Facebook I would have my mom helping me with my MySpace page. I always thought it was kind of a waste of time and put more of my energy into live shows and being out in the “real world,” but times have def changed. The real world is online. Not sure how I feel about that most days to be honest. It does make some things a whole lot easier so I’m grateful for that. I love connecting with fans and for the support I get.

Q) What would you like to say to those who have supported you on your journey so far?

A) I’m always pretty humble and a bit surprised when people really believe in me and love my music. I don’t know why that is…I guess I just don’t think of myself as a big deal. The people that have stood by me and supported me on this journey the most are my parents and I only hope that I’m half the parent that they are. They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders since day one and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Thank you so much for this interview and for supporting my music!! God bless!!