Halston Dare – Replace You

By starrymag | June 5, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Edgy, poetically conversational, pop, emotional

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Julia Michaels, The Weeknd, Halsey, Dua Lipa,Sasha Sloan, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Replace You.”

A) I wrote it back in November of 2019 when I was dealing with an argument with a boyfriend at the time who was making me beg for his attention and I was chasing after him instead of him chasing after me. It was a time in my life that I didn’t understand my self-worth, I didn’t understand the love that I deserve and I didn’t understand what it really meant to love myself. During the argument that I was having with him I was quickly realizing that I was fighting for somebody who didn’t want to fight for me and somebody who also was acting like they were irreplaceable and that was definitely not the case. I was calling all of my friends that night crying and one of them was looking at me telling me, “Halston, you have to write a song about this!” The next day I went into the studio to write a song with my favorite producer and writer Michelle Buzz and I walked in and told her this kid thinks he’s irreplaceable!! And later that day we knew we were creating something super special and that is how “Replace You” was written.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think my fans love the track and the message behind “Replace You.” The chorus is so straightforward, badass and sexy, I think it makes a lot of people feel really good.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I’m so excited for everybody to see the music video. It’s going to show the story of why I wrote the “Replace You.” Note to self and others, don’t get a controlling boyfriend!!!!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) Anything that I have written is something that I was feeling and experiencing in that moment. I always write about things that are going on in my life or that I am feeling. “Replace You” was written the day after I got in an argument with my boyfriend. Michelle Buzz helped write the song and produced it.

 

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

A) I write up to fifty to seventy-five percent of all my music and I am very proud of the effort and amount of work I put into each song.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) Right now, I am focusing on only releasing singles at the moment. But, yes, in the future at some time I would love to release an EP or an album.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Unfortunately, I have not performed around a lot yet, but one of my favorite shows that I ever played was the Irving Plaza in New York. I had the opportunity to open up for Danity Kane and it was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. The audience was so accepting and so loving. I will never forget that night feeling like “Wow, this is my purpose and this is what I was born to do!”

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to collaborate with the Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Trippie Redd, DaBaby, Bazzi, Khalid, Billie Eilish, Halsey, Lennon Stella, literally anyone! I love every single artist out there! OMG WAIT JULIA MICHAELS!!!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) Currently, the song that I have been jamming to a lot recently in the past week is “What Do You Mean” by Trippie Redd or “Champagne and Sunshine.”

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) If I didn’t have social media I would be devastated because I wouldn’t be able to connect with so many people online. Sometimes social media can be a little toxic for me because I’m constantly on it and constantly critiquing myself or comparing myself, which is not always a negative thing. But if I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I love each and every one of you so much and thank you so much for streaming “Replace You” and supporting me in my career. I literally would be absolutely nowhere on this freaking planet with my career if it wasn’t for you. So, thank you so much for being so kind and so loving and being my friend and being there for me with my career you have no idea how much it means to me.