Hayla on grief, Finding inspiration in New Sounds, and healing through life’s darkest moments
- Josie Warby
- Aug 15
- 15 min read
Grief has a way of reshaping the things we thought we knew about ourselves. It can arrive quietly, linger indefinitely, and leave behind questions that have no simple answers. For Hayla, that process found an unexpected outlet in music. What began without a plan became Dark — a deeply personal body of work shaped by loss, reflection, experimentation, and the need to give emotions a voice.
Rather than deliberately stepping into a new sound, Hayla allowed the music to develop organically. Written and recorded largely within an intense eight-week period, the project became a space to create without expectation—to move freely between genres, sounds, instruments, and emotions. Synths, guitars, imperfections, and even the sounds accidentally captured during recording were left intact, preserving the immediacy of the moments in which these songs were born. The result is an intimate and expansive collection of songs that feels less constructed than discovered.
At the heart of Dark is a simple but powerful acknowledgement: none of us are truly alone in what we carry. Through songs that confront grief and the complicated process of healing, Hayla transforms deeply personal experiences into something communal, offering listeners a place to recognize their own emotions and, perhaps, release some of what they have been holding onto.
From the haunting vulnerability of “Dark” to the freedom found in experimenting beyond genre, the album represents more than a change in musical direction. It is a record of becoming—of finding lightness through creation, confronting loss without hiding from it, and discovering that sometimes the most honest work is the work we never intended to make.
"the rise of AI within music, it feels like the soul needs to be put back somehow."
Frontlight Magazine’s Writer & Photographer Josie Warby had the opportunity to sit down with Hayla backstage in Washington, D.C. at the 9:30 Club for a candid conversation about grief, healing, and finding light during some of life’s darkest moments.
Watch the Full Interview Video Below⤵
Hayla opens up about the unexpected, emotional journey behind an album shaped by healing and loss.
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was hearing Hayla talk about how her style of music was created organically. It wasn’t going in the studio and saying I want to write an album with a completely new style.” Instead, the songs came together naturally during different sessions, inspired by her experiences and emotions.
The first question I have for you is, I wanted to say that I really resonated with your album, and I love how like raw and full of emotion it is and like how reflective it is. Um, healing is such a beautiful, sorry, a beautiful but lengthy process and we all go through it at some point, um, and I wanted to know what helped you the most when you went through your healing journey?
Oh, I mean, I think I'm probably still going through it to a degree and I think I probably will for the rest of my life, but I think that being able to kind of write it down somehow and be able to process it in that way. I don't know, it's really funny because when I was making that music, I didn't anticipate to make it at all and it wasn't something that was thought out or planned and I think after leaving the room after the days of recording the songs, I was like, wow, there's so much stuff that maybe I'm not saying out loud that maybe I really needed to and I think those songs helped give my grief a voice.
So, I think, it's funny really, I think like obviously being close to like having a good group of people surrounding you in a sense, but like on my own personal journey, I think like writing this album, I feel like now it's something that I feel like I had to do. I don't know, I didn't anticipate to do it and it wasn't like a forced thing, it's just like, you know, yeah, . So, I don't know, I think I'll probably be healing forever, but like I think it's definitely helped, yeah.
That's beautiful, I love that. The second thing I wrote for you was your single Dark was a perfect track to like lead your album with, especially how you said, I'm not alone in the dark, I feel you heavy on my heart. That was chilling like the first time I heard it. You perfectly described how grieving and missing someone feels and I wanted to know, how do you feel, like how did you feel singing that lyric for the first time?
Oh, it was hard, yeah. I think the first time I actually sang it was in St. Pancras Church in London as well and I had some family there. We've all suffered the same loss and I think it was like the knowledge that they were hearing it for the first time too because I'd not played them the songs or anything, I was just kind of like, oh I have to show and it was one of those things which was kind of like, I don't know, I just think that like if I turn my brain off to a point I can keep it together, but there was a point where I nearly lost it during that song and I'll be really honest and I looked over and I just saw some family members and I was like, oh, you know, so it was like very hard, but I'm really glad that I did, you know, and I'm kind of really glad that it happened in a way that it did too because it's like, I feel like emotionally if I could have done that I'm like, I think I'll be okay, I think I can handle it for the other performances, you know, although there's moments sometimes where I'm like, okay, you know, but yeah, but it was the first time was, yeah, it was pretty difficult.
How the “Dark” Album came to be
What most inspired you to make the switch from Electronic Music to kind of the vibe that you're doing now?
Oh, you know, I think because of what I've gone through and because I wasn't sure about what I really had to give in that time, I genuinely didn't know if I had anything in the tank. I was kind of like, am I done for a while? Like, where do I need to place my time and my energy and also like put my healing and whatever and how much do I talk about or not talk about to deal with the grieving that I'm going through? And I think that these sessions were just for the love of creation and I got into the sessions and honestly, like, I think I've probably said this a few times, but there was two songs that were written a year, maybe a year and a half before the rest.
Hayla’s process for writing and recording the album came naturally; she wasn’t confined to keeping it in one particular genre or sound.
Hayla continues speaking of her organic process for making music on her own terms.
The rest were written in eight weeks. Oh, wow. Written and recorded in eight weeks. And it was like, I've been listening to like, I listen to a lot of styles and genres of music, like completely different and actually not necessarily in the EDM world. And like, I thought a lot about nature and I thought a lot about where I'd want to sing these songs and I felt like the place I'd like to scream them on would be like on a beach in the forest, on a mountain and I just thought about vast expanses and I got into the rooms and the people I was with and I was like, do you just want to like, play around today? I said, I've got no ideas about what I want to do, but then I'd start talking about stuff and I'd be like, okay, maybe I'm going to, and I'd just write quickly, but we'd be building things like, be it through synths or like picking up a guitar and detuning it and making it sound really odd and then just playing it. And I was actually saying, I was on a, I was on a Discord chat the other day with Steez who were doing 930 Club and I was actually saying that on some of the recordings you can hear these bracelets because everything I didn't record again, it was like day one of recording, that was it, left it.
"It's the messages I've had from people about the new music, especially saying how it's kind of helped people maybe tap into something that they were maybe holding in a bit too long.”
The Freedom of not putting pressure on the creative process.
So it's just completely as it was and I think, I think being able to be so free with no pressure, being able to play with style and genre and just be in the rooms and just feel something was kind of what happened. I didn't want it to be specifically something. I think it just, honestly I didn't try for any sort of style and genre.
It was just, this is what it ended up being. And it was really freeing and nice to just play around. Some of the people in the sessions were like, we haven't done this for years. And I was like, so important, you know, to just find what feels good. Like, so yeah. So that's kind of why.
That's amazing. Yeah. It's so cool that you try different things. It's not always the same genre or style. (You do) what comes naturally to you.
Yeah, I think; And I think it's one of those, I don't know, I sort of, I left every day feeling a little bit lighter. So yeah, that’s kind of why.
I was wondering where do you find like some of your pieces or what inspired like the aesthetic that you have now?
So I've always been interested and invested in fashion, but I think I always got to a point where I felt like I could do it to a certain degree for myself. And then I was like, oh, how do I elevate from this? So for a while, I was just styling myself. I'm like, I do do day to day. I style myself.
But like when I'm doing shows, basically, I found the most amazing stylist, Beau Tiger Rae, who helped me like elevate to another level and also allowed me to dream bigger with what I was wearing. So yeah. So like, I kind of like, I don't know.
I think like dopamine dressing is a big part of my like day to day. I just find the pieces and obviously I'm always always in my favorite color, but I just kind of love playing with texture and shape and cut and style. But Beau has been instrumental in allowing me to sort of see into the world of like designers and independent designers and also archive pieces.
So the Dark album is actually a mixture of some newer pieces that are created by newer designers, but obviously in an older sort of style. And then some of the pieces that I'm wearing are also archival that are kind of, I think some of them are Victorian, maybe not Edwardian, but like kind of like in that similar style at least, but like really quite old. So it's kind of been, I don't know.
I think it's amazing to be able to tap into, if ever I say to Beau. I mean this, I've had a dress made for this tour, which is a three part, so I can mix and match between a few things.
So the main body of it is this skirt and then I've got this amazing jacket and I also have a corset as well. Depending on how hot it is, I'm wearing, I'll just see. And I've got like a few different tops and some shorts and like, you know, I'll play around with what I have, but it's nice to, yeah.
"I think the more that I write, the more I realize how much connection we really need and how isolated and lonely this world has become because of the fact that, like, we're so interconnected. “
Performing in smaller and more intimate venues. Definitely gets you closer to the crowd and like that connection. I was wondering what has been your favorite part about performing this album and this tour in general so far?
Honestly, I'm just so grateful that people want to come and watch me, like at all. You know, I think that's the thing. I think it's like the big takeaway for me is like, this is the largest tour that I've ever put on and I just feel like honored that people even want to come and spend their evening with me, you know? I just feel like that for me, I think is like the most amazing thing because I'm a fan of music myself and going to a show for me is like, can be quite a big deal and I just know that it takes out like, obviously, I know this, yeah, financial side of things too and I just so appreciate it.
But I think apart from that, it's the messages I've had from people about the new music, especially saying how it's kind of helped people maybe tap into something that they were maybe holding in a bit too long.
Yeah, but honestly, I'm just like blown away that people want to come and see my show. So like, thank you everyone because I just, yeah, it just means the world.
Do you remember where you were at and what you were doing when you found out you were going on this tour?
Oh, well, it's funny because me and my manager and also my agents, we've been talking about it for quite some time. So I mean, I've been a part of the process in like obviously trying to help map it. Obviously, the agents know where best to work because we're actually on a bus. So we're driving this whole tour. So we're living on a bus, having days off in hotels.
So we have like a little bit of a, you know, downtime from the bus. But like, yeah, like the routing of it and obviously seeing we're going from like east to west and making our way through and like Canada as well. So, but I think like the shock for me really was like, you know, when you think about time and you think how much you have and then you realize you don't.
And I think that we were like, oh yeah, we've got a tour coming up in like a little bit. And now when it was probably like two weeks out from this tour, I was like, oh my gosh. Going now, you know, so I think that for me, like because I've been a part of the process of the booking and kind of getting it together and also getting ideas together for the set and pulling it together. So I've been really involved in that side of things. But the speed at which it arrived upon us is definitely, I remember, I was at home. I just went to go and see family in Liverpool in the UK. And yeah, I was just kind of at home and I was, I think I was just chatting to my dad and I was like, yeah, I'm going on tour like in like two weeks, you know? So I think me and my dad were like, whoa, okay. You know, so I think it's like those moments where you know it's happening, but then it's the speed at which it arrives.
I think that's kind of, because I knew, when we were kind of booking this and it was along the way, it was like nice little moments where it's like, oh my gosh, okay, we've added another city. Like that's really cool. But it's been amazing to be a part of it. And like my agents have been absolutely incredible in mapping it so that we can drive and see a bit more of like, yeah, North America really.
"And like, I thought a lot about nature and I thought a lot about where I'd want to sing these songs and I felt like the place I'd like to scream them on would be like on a beach in the forest, on a mountain and I just thought about vast expanses”
You said on Instagram, I'm really sorry if people resonate with these songs, because I know the subject matters are quite heavy. But I just want you to know that you're not alone. I really admire you for that. It's truly feels amazing knowing we aren't alone in this world. In a world full of AI and songs written just to be hits. It means a lot that you're writing from the heart and your personal experiences. I just wanted to say that. It's not a question.
It's so nice. Thank you so much. Because I think, I don't know, it's funny. Like, the more somebody asked me something kind of recently, which I think that kind of sort of surmises, like, I think the more that I write, the more I realize how much connection we really need and how isolated and lonely this world has become because of the fact that, like, we're so interconnected.
And obviously, like, yeah, like you say, the rise of AI within music, it feels like the soul needs to be put back somehow. Yes. I don't know. And it wasn't my intention to be like, I'm gonna write something. It's gonna connect. You know, it wasn't that at all. But it's just kind of like, just trying to be as human and as authentic as possible. Thank you so much, by the way, for saying that.
When I seen that post, I'm like, oh, my God, like, that really hit me.
Like, oh, my love. I'm sorry if, you know, if it resonates, because truly it is like, God, it's like, you know, we're only just trying to live in this world, you know.
The Album’s core message that we can take away
And music's so healing. So it definitely helps. It's not all dark.
Like, oh, my love. I'm sorry if, you know, if it resonates, because truly it is like, God, it's like, you know, we're only just trying to live in this world, you know. No, 100%. And I think that, you know what, I think that just the collective kind of like, realizing that like, you can have that connection through music, you can have your moments. But like, hopefully, I think, if I can make people feel like they've managed to release something and feel better about their day, then I hope that that kind of helps facilitate that.
If you had to pick, which song off of Dark is your favorite to perform live? I know that's a tough one.
Ohhh.. I mean, I like, I feel really bad saying this because it's not actually in tonight's show. But there is loads that I really, really love. But I think, I think it's probably because I just watched back the St. Pancras show performance because it's on YouTube.
So I watched it back and I was like, oh, I think, I just hope we don't run out of time. It's a really fun one. And I haven't got it in the show tonight. it's one of those, I think apart from that one that's in the show, I think probably (the song) Dark.
Because it's kind of like, I don't know, I end the show with that basically. And I feel like it's sort of, I don't know, it's like, a point in my life, you know. Yeah. Which you can go, yeah, like you say, it's not all dark and it brings books. But it's kind of like, yeah, the acknowledgement of what I've been through, I suppose, you know. And also being on the stage, it's like, it's like the juxtaposition of life. You know, it's kind of like I'm speaking about something so heavy. But I'm also kind of like in the most calming, joyful place that I can be. Like at the same time.
"I think being able to be so free with no pressure, being able to play with style and genre and just be in the rooms and just feel something was kind of what happened.”
This is the last question I had. It's, please tell me if you have any music videos that you have planned. If you're allowed to talk about it.
No. Well, I mean, I can because I haven't. But like, yeah, I mean, I really want to do some more live performance videos.
I mean, there's ideas that I have in my head. But there's nothing that's in fruition at the moment. Like it's working and you know, like, but I haven't. I'm, I'm, yeah, I'm hopeful that I will have. But at the moment, there's nothing yet.
I'm excited to see what you do.
Oh, thank you so much. Yeah, there's things that I'm thinking about. But like, yeah, we have to get a plan.
I understand completely.
Good question though. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That was my last question. And I just wanted to say thank you so much for doing this interview.
Oh, no, thank you so much for having me. Like, it's really nice to talk. And great questions, by the way.
"this is the largest tour that I've ever put on and I just feel like honored that people even want to come and spend their evening with me, you know?"
About the artist
HAYLA is a GRAMMY- nominated, gold certified vocalist from Liverpool, UK. She is widely recognized for her electronic sound and her work within the EDM scene. She has performed at numerous festivals and venues around the world, And her Dark Tour marked a major milestone as she stepped into a headlining role in the United States
Her debut album Dusk channels the same emotional intensity that fuels her festival‑closing sets at Coachella and Madison Square Garden: songs about self‑worth, longing and survival delivered with both stadium‑scale lift and her songwriter vulnerability. Part siren of the club and part confessional pop auteur, HAYLA fuses euphoric vocal drama with deeply personal storytelling—a voice built for dance music’s biggest stages and the quieter moments in between.
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Across All Platforms: @haylasings | haylasings.com
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