we’ve got our next Knead To Know interview for you all, with the supremely talented singer-songwriter Hayden J Barlow! 🥖
Hayden’s been making waves on the scene over the past year or so, putting out a slew of releases and singles like there’s no tomorrow, performing across the North and we’ve even had him play a bunch for us – his live performances are so well-honed and intricate, it’s a joy to catch him play. we’ve been massive fans of his music for a while now and his new single “Stockholm Syndrome” is yet another in a long line of incredible tunes from him!
find the full interview below! ⬇️
Hey mate, nice one for doing this interview here with us! Tell us a bit more about yourself.
Hey bud! You’re absolutely welcome. I’m Hayden! I make video game boss music and then sing on it.
We’re massive fans of the new single “Stockholm Syndrome” – give us a bit more of a lowdown on the track!
‘Stockholm Syndrome’ is a tune I wrote a while ago about how much I both love and resent having a career in music. It takes a huge toll on me at times despite how much I love doing what I do. This song is an expression of that.
How did you start doing music?
I started singing and writing my own songs at about 10. It’s just something that has always existed simultaneously alongside my life. It’s only around 16 that I actually considered it to be a possible career. At about 22, I actually started actively chasing that. It’s had its ups and downs but it’s been pretty sick so far.
What are the processes involved in creating your music? Do you home record, or use a studio?
Everything I record is done all at home with a minimal home studio. It’s how I get that ‘D.I.Y’, glitchy sound that I’m starting to become known for.
We already know you produce your music yourself – what led you into self-production?
Honestly? Stubbornness. I am mad difficult to work with (trust me, I do it all the time) because of how unbelievably stubborn I can be when it comes to the sound of my music.
What are your main inspirations for your songs? What artists influence your sound?
It’s an eclectic bunch. James Blake is a big one production wise. In terms of writing, Kings of Leon are a big one as I grew up on them.
When you’re writing, do you focus on a melody first or is it lyrics, or some other way?
I don’t have a set approach, I tend to just go with my gut.
Over the past few years, how have you been spending your time musically? (recording, writing etc)
I’ve been heavily focused on recording these last few years. It’s become one of my biggest passions. Production is a whole other beast and I’ve learned a whole lot by using very little. I’ve had a lot of absolute beginners who have no idea what they’re talking about critique my recording methods. I’ve been honing it for years and these dudes with one set of cheap HS-5s and an ego think they can comment on it. One of my biggest motivations has been sticking it to them by proving you can make high quality, successful records with minimal equipment.
We’ve seen that you’ve been covered on radio a bunch of times now, how are you finding your music is being received?
It’s very validating. We’re slowly but surely getting there.
How are your gigs going? What kinda set up do you take to them nowadays?
To be honest, it’s not my biggest focus these days! I get the most dopamine from recording and making records. If I’m gigging, I want it to be a spectacle or a celebratory, wholesome event. Quality over quantity.
When you’re performing live, what do you enjoy the most about it?
I love translating my songs to a live setting. Whether that be to track, showing off my production skills or reinventing and rearranging my tracks for guitar.
Have you got anything else planned for the rest of the year?
I’ve a whole EP dropping in November! Then it’s onto planning the next batch of releases. Next year is going to be big.
it’s real lovely to put these interviews together and get a more personal and down-to-earth conversation with each artist, find out their motivations, inspirations and what their aims for the future are – seeing Hayden’s approach to music here is super uplifting, taking a much more DIY approach and focusing on the quality of his music is something that we can relate to here at the label. it’s well worth checking out his new tune, it sounds fantastic and if you enjoy it, his back catalogue is full of a bunch of gems as well! big love to him for participating in this and we hope you liked it as much as we did! 🍞
Bread Records 
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