Hayden Calnin - Sound In The Signals Interview

Hayden Calnin released the second part of his long awaited debut album, Cut Love Pt. 2 in May after releasing the first part, Cut Love Pt. 1 in March. He blends folk with electronic sounds which create a visual element to his music that is both calming and intense. It's no surprise that he's had music featured in popular television shows and in a film. He spoke with us about how he aspires to eventually write and compose for film and television, his hopes for his upcoming tour, and how art and film has inspired his music.



 You're quite talented and you are growing your fan base. For those who may not know you yet, could you describe your music and perhaps suggest a song or two to get new listeners into your music?

Hayden Calnin: Why thank you. That is quite a compliment. I don’t really know the best way to pin point it other than it’s music that tells stories. I try to adopt lots of different genre styles into it, depending on what I’m singing about and what fits. If you are into lyrical music with some chill sounds behind it, then I think you will enjoy it. I’d suggest maybe giving ‘Cut Love’ and ‘Ultra-Beast’ a spin from my latest records and if you are into them, then you will probably enjoy the rest.




You are a unique artist. You sing, write, produce your music, and play many instruments. I understand you graduated from film school with a major in sound design which led you to music production. I'd say your music really caters to an artistic, performance style sound. How do the two go together for you?

Calnin: I’m obsessed with film and photography. It is such a beautiful art. Music and film go hand in hand, sound is literally half of a film (except silent films of course), and can set or change the mood so easily.  Studying film certainly catered to getting me into music making in the first place, and I have to thank my University course for that.

Speaking of your music feeling like it's fit for a production, you have had songs featured on shows such as Suits, Parenthood, Teen Wolf and in the trailer for the film, Room. That's quite an accomplishment. How does something like this come about for you?

Calnin: It still blows my mind that people keep using my songs for things like this. I never thought I’d be so fortunate in that regard. However, whenever I watch a scene where my music is in it, it feels weird…. Real weird. I’ve got some great representation who pitch out my music and secure synchronisation placements for me. I just make the tunes.

Someone can go back into your catalog and still get that fresh, fun feeling from your music and videos. Just one in particular that I can think about is "Summer" which was on your debut EP, City. It's all around quality. Thinking about your early work and to Cut Love now, what do you see for the future? Do you see yourself continuing to mix your background in film and music? Would you be interested in creating a soundtrack for a show or movie?

Calnin: I think the end game is eventually writing and composing for Film and TV. It’s where it all started and I am really striving to make it a career direction for me. One of my biggest musical inspirations is m83, who does just that. He’s a working musician who composes for film, ads and campaigns globally. It is something to really aim for, I think.

Your video for "Cut Love" is quite interesting. I understand that you were inspired when Lukas McFarlane, the award winning dancer in the video, contacted you because he wanted new music to use for his choreography. What was your process of creating the song featured in the video and the direction of the video? Did they come about together or did one inspire the other?

Calnin: Lukas is such a brilliant man and dancer. We met via Twitter and had been trying to tee up a collaboration for a while. So when he came to Australia, we met up, discussed some brief ideas we had been working on and simply spent a day shooting the video. It was so inspiring to see him dance and act. You can see just how passionate and thoughtful he is with all his work. I will definitely be doing more things with him in the future.




Your album launch tour is coming up in June. Your music is quite ethereal and moving. How will that play into the live show? What do you hope fans go away with after watching you perform?

Calnin: I’ll have a 5 piece band for a couple of the bigger shows, which is really exciting. There is no better feeling than playing with a band behind you, and picking the right people to help bring your vision to the stage can be very timely, but worth it. My solo shows will be a lot more intimate. I want the live show to always be different from the recordings. I feel that it is very important to do that. I hope that fans will come see the show and then leave with a sense of reflection on themselves rather than the show.

Cut Love Pt. 1 came out in March and Cut Love Pt. 2 just came out on May 13, 2016. Your sister, Gracey Calnin, created the artwork for Cut Love Pt. 2. It's a lovely design. Can you tell us a bit about the artwork and what inspired this design?

Calnin: I wanted the artwork to combine the previous artwork from my two EP’s, but as its own piece of art. So it’s the city meets the forest, the two places I’ve lived and grown up in. My sister Gracey is such a talented artist, and her work has been a constant in the visual side to my music.

Thanks for the interview. I see big things for you as your music continues to spread. Do you have anything else you would like to add for those reading the interview?

Calnin: Thank you! Nope, nothing to add other than I hope everyone enjoys both of the new records.

Find the album at iTunes or Spotify!

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-L.Burden