Get ready for an exclusive dive into the world of HAYLA! The powerhouse singer-songwriter graced us with her presence at the KEF pop-up studio during the Amsterdam Dance Event 2024. Fresh off the release of her solo debut album DUSK, HAYLA is gearing up for another milestone: her first-ever headlining show at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood on December 4. In our chat, she spills the tea on the inspirations behind DUSK and teases some major hints on what’s next in her creative journey.
HAYLA’s voice is a staple of modern dance music, with her soaring, operatic vocals driving some of the genre’s biggest anthems. She’s notched two back-to-back #1 hits on US Dance Radio, including the Platinum smash “Where You Are” with John Summit and the chart-topping “Escape” with Kx5. Both tracks solidified her place as a dance music heavyweight, with “Escape” even earning a spot on Kx5’s GRAMMY-nominated album.
The Liverpool-born, London-based artist has had a whirlwind year, dominating world-renowned stages. She closed out Coachella’s Sahara Tent alongside John Summit, performed “Escape” at the Hollywood Bowl and Brooklyn Mirage during deadmau5’s 25-year celebration, and reminded everyone why she’s a go-to collaborator for dance music’s elite.
But HAYLA isn’t just a featured artist—she’s a force all her own. As a songwriter and now a budding producer, she’s taking the reins of her creative destiny. Her debut album, DUSK, released on November 1, is a stunning collection of atmospheric dance tracks that delve into heartbreak, hope, and self-discovery themes. Far from typical dance-pop, DUSK explores moodier, more introspective territory. “Hopefully, people will get to know me a little bit more. So there’s a bit of an EDM side and also a bit more of an electronica side, and there’s one track on there in particular that I totally produced, wrote, and recorded myself,” the singer proudly elaborated.
During the interview, HAYLA also opens up about her stage fright—an experience that she hopes will inspire up-and-coming artists. "I've really suffered with anxiety over the years. I was a late bloomer when it came to singing in front of people. If there was a curtain for me to be behind, I would be behind it. I was never in a lead role. I was never the main singer. I had like terrible stage fright. And I thought, if I can make people feel the way that I feel when I sing, maybe I've done my job."
Fast forward to today, and HAYLA has thousands of fans singing her lyrics back to her, proving without a doubt that her voice resonates deeply. And here’s some exciting news: she’s already working on her second album!
Want to hear more about her journey, her music, and what she hopes listeners take away from her work? Tune in to our full interview below!
