Issue No. 15 - The Future is Female
I Wish I Was: An Interview with Zander Hawley
I Wish I Was: An Interview with Zander Hawley
an interview with Los Angeles raised singer/songwriter Zander Hawley
As an avid activist and Amandla Stenberg devotee, I discovered Zander Hawley through their duo act “Honeywater”. Since that day, Zander has evolved into a solo singer/songwriter whose powerful and moving vocals and lyrics have taken me to the brink of tears alone on a Saturday night. Not only does his voice and talent have the ability to take him far into the Nashville (and wherever else his career takes him) music scene, his vibrant, witty and amiable personality will take him far in life. Zander, it was an honor to interview you. Chatting with you was one of the best times I’ve had in awhile.
Love,
Zoe
MSM: Hi Zander! Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? What you do, what your favorite things are, and your background?
ZH: Well, I’m Zander. I’m 18 and from Los Angeles, and I’m currently living in Nashville. The things I love to do? Well, obviously, music. And I love films and TV. Some of my favorite artists are Noah Gundersen, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lone Bellow.
MSM: In terms of genre, most people describe your music as folk. Is that what label you would give yourself? How do you classify your music and your art?
ZH: Folk isn’t wrong. In college, people in the music major are so desperate to know your genre. I would tell them that my genre was “alt folk”, which doesn’t exist. It was just a bullshit answer. If I gave myself a genre it would probably be singer/songwriter, you know, like James Bay. I’m a singer/songwriter.
MSM: In 2015, you released your EP, “I Wish I Was”. Tell me a little bit about the process of making it. What was the inspiration behind that?
ZH: It was my first structured recording experience. I actually did the whole thing in three or four days, all in a row (I interjected and said, “wow, that’s impressive). I had to keep going back in because I’m fucking particular about the little things. So much credit for “I Wish I Was” goes to Marshall Vore, my producer. He was great. I think why I love that EP so much is because it’s honest. I mean it when I write it. The people who loved it could tell that.
MSM: Before you released your EP, you were half of Honeywater with Amandla Stenberg. How was that and what was that like? How is making solo music different to making music with Amandla? Which do you prefer?
ZH: Honeywater was my introduction to music. It took us a year and a half to come up with the name, Honeywater. We went through some pretty bad and boring ones. The first show I ever played, [Amandla] played with me. That girl means the world to me, I love that girl. Making that EP was really different from making mine. We made it in Sebastian Jones’ garage with our other friend Aron. They’re both really talented, you can tell in the sounds on that EP. We just sort of did everything ourselves, whereas my EP was more semi professional. For that, I played drums, and I don’t play drums. I was listening to the Honeywater EP maybe three months ago, just after I put out my solo one, and it is a completely different feel, which I didn’t think it would be. That’s why I think there’s value to keep them both going, which is definitely not impossible. I made an album, actually, last week, a solo album. And going through that and figuring out my own sound is really different from Honeywater. I just think [those differences] are so valuable to me, besides how much fun it is and how much I love that girl. It helps me stay diversified and get really specific with each project. [Despite living in different cities], you might hear some more Honeywater sooner than you think.
MSM: Who do you look up to for inspiration? How did you get into music?
ZH: There were two moments, really. The first, in ninth grade, I heard a song called “Winter” by Noah Gundersen. I had been trying to write songs for awhile, and I did not like any of them, and I heard that song, and thought “what is he doing that makes that song so good”? I think it was the simplicity. It was very straight forward, “here’s what I’m feeling”. I heard it, and I was like “wow, here’s what I want to do”. I’ve listened to that song probably a thousand times. It still gives me new inspiration every now and then when I listen to it. That was the moment that made me want to write. The second moment was the moment that made me want to play, around a year later. I went to see a friend of mine named Jackson, who played with this girl named Phoebe [Bridgers]. I went to go see their show at a weird place in Hollywood. The seats are like little pews, and it reminds me of the Korean Church from 21 Jumpstreet. I went with my dad, and I was talking with him on the way over, trying to decide if I was good enough to play live. Well this Russian guy opened for Jackson, and his first song was about unicorn sex and the next was about mushrooms. And I was like, “maybe I can do this”. Then Phoebe went up and played her song, “Georgia” which is one of my favorite songs. It was raw and honest, and it was incredible because she fucking felt it. I’ve seen her play that song maybe 2 dozen times, and every time I think “fuck, how can I get that good.” After that performance, I was like “I don’t just want to play, I need to play”.
MSM: You split time from Nashville and LA, correct? Do you miss either of the two while you’re gone? What are your favorite things about both?
ZH: I miss both when I’m in the other one. It’s sort of similar to the solo vs Honeywater thing. It’s different but in a way where one isn’t better than the other. LA is my first home, where I grew up, where my family is, where all of my formative musical experiences are. But Nashville, I’ve only been here six months, but it’s already become a place of good relationships and music. Right now I’m in the process of deciding between living in Nashville or LA. On the one hand it’s where you came from, and on the other hand it’s like deciding where you need to go.
MSM: I love these little anecdotes. What is the coolest experience you’ve ever had because of your music?
ZH: I have a few. The first one is when Amandla and I played (pre figuring out Honeywater) at a benefit show for a charity. It was a really good organization for kids with cancer and they write a song for them that incorporates elements about their lives, like their favorite food and sports teams. We played at a benefit for that organization and the acts who opened for us was this band, Player, (the hair was exactly what’d you expect, the outfits were exactly what you’d expect.) Next was Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stallone’s brother. Not only did I not know that Sylvester had a brother, I didn't know he wrote all of the music for the movie Saturday Night Fever. And he was basically just Sylvester Stallone [the actor most notable for playing boxer Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series] singing. It was awesome. Then Amandla and I went up and played a few songs, including a Mumford and Sons cover. And then we walked off, and Frank Stallone said “you did good up there, son”. And to this day, I remember that I am a member of the Stallone family.
The second is just that it’s just cool when people start to know you. I was at some sort of round table type situation with a guy named Larry Kloess, who puts together secret shows in Nashville. He sets up Noah Gundersen shows. He came into this round table that I was at with some other songwriters, and he sat down, and then we all introduced ourselves to each other. I said my name and he goes, “oh! I was listening to your EP earlier”. And I was like, “oh, that’s really cool!” Very minor but very cool Nashville moment.
The third is that two weeks ago, Phoebe and our other friend Harrison Whitford and me played a show together where we each played a set. I had played with each of them separately but never with both of them together. We all went up in each other's sets. When we all went up during Phoebe’s set, we all used the one mic, corny as it is, and we sang “Say Yes” by Elliott Smith. It was surreal--those are two of my songwriting heroes--and now they're my friends.
MSM: What is it like performing live? Do you have any pre performance rituals?
ZH: Performing live is my favorite part of music as a whole. In the studio, you have to be very careful and particular, or at least I am. At a show, I can let go. At a show you can go ten times what you do in a studio. You can just fucking go. The song that I get the most climax from is (Zander laughed and said, “that’ll sound weird on paper) is “Drops of Jupiter” by the band Train. (Zander and I then spent a lot of time discussing how underrated Train is, and about Taylor Swift’s live cover of the same song).
MSM: Your most popular song is probably “Hid in the Little Things”. Throw aside popular, what song do you want people to listen to when hearing you first? What song has the most meaning to you?
ZH: I did [“Hid in the Little Things”] with my dad on Garageband, in my room. It was really cool. My dad played drums on it, which was cool. The songs on this new album, that I’m in the process of finishing, each one really means alot to me. [From what’s been released] It’s gotta be “Daylight”. That was the first song I wrote where I was like, this isn't a Honeywater song, this is for me. It’s easy to tell from the song what inspired it. I had that sort of experience that inspired it. It’s one of those things where it wouldn’t feel right singing it or putting it out anywhere with anything other than my name on it.
Images courtesy of Zander Hawley
Healthy Loving by Brindy Francis
Healthy Loving by Brindy Francis
As published in Mad Sounds Magazine Issue No. 13 - Love in Stereo
Healthy Loving
editorial by Brindy Francis
“Everybody’s gotta love someone, but I just want to love you,
dear.” - The Drums
I’ve asked a few people to describe their love life in one word.
Home
Enduring
Butterflies
Terrifying
Indifferent
Uplifted
Uncomfortable
Nonexistent
One may think “love” is just an emotion. It actually is
something that promotes emotion. Notice that not all of these
answers are positive. Most think love is something that makes
everyday easier; the belief that if you love, you’ll be jumping
for joy. Being “in love” in fantasized. Everybody craves
relationships. You can be in love and unhappy.
I’ve been in an unhealthy relationship. I fell in love with a
boy who was more sexually advanced than I was. He was also
emotionally draining. I was young and didn’t understand the
aspects of an “unhealthy” relationship. In fact, it was my first
relationship! I didn’t want to end what I thought could have
been the most important thing in the world. I thought that if
you are in love, it’s worth anything. Eventually, I got out. For
a good amount of time, I devoted myself to a boy who did not
deserve me. Hence, not always does love give off jubilant
feelings.
Love provokes many different emotions. You can be in love and
still feel extreme discomfort. You can love your ex-
boyfriend/girlfriend and still have no respect for him/her. You
can not make yourself stop loving someone. Love comes naturally.
It is not forced upon people and it can not be knocked out of
someone. You will experience all sorts of love as you keep
moving through life. You will experience love you regret,
admire, and all sorts of different emotions. Love is beautiful,
but only when it’s healthy.
It’s imperative to know the aspects of a healthy relationship
(romantic or not). You must know how to communicate. If you and
your partner are in a disagreement, try your best to understand
the other side and compromise from there. Love can be a tricky
thing; especially when when you have conflict in interest.
Really try to focus on the things you both love instead of that
of the opposite.
The number one thing I have learned from relationships is to
just spread as much love as you can, but be extremely careful.
The second you’re feeling uncomfortable or unhappy, don’t be
afraid to move on from this chapter in your life. The point of
being in a relationship is to share your aspirations and dreams
with someone you love. Never should you be committed to someone
and feel dejected at the same time. Always remember that the
most important person to commit to is yourself.
The healthiest love you can radiate is that toward yourself.
This February, I challenge you to buy yourself some chocolates-
relationship or not. Paint a picture and give it to yourself.
Call yourself beautiful. Read a book and have a conversation
with yourself about your favorite character. Give yourself the
most attention. Remember: the most important love is healthy
love.
The Lungs of NYC: An Interview with Tor Miller
The Lungs of NYC: An Interview with Tor Miller
a Northeastern musician interviewed by a Southwestern girl for a West Coast publication
By Zoe Allen
In August of last year, I was driving my mom around listening to an indie, off the grid radio station. A song came on--one entitled “Midnight”, off of an EP called “Headlights” by an artist by the name of Tor Miller. I had never heard of him before, but was instantly impressed with his wooing, compelling, and soothing vocals and enchanting lyrics. I had to look him up--and get an interview with him--as soon as I could. Here it is, exclusively for Mad Sounds.
ZA: Tell me about how you grew up. Does this have any impact on your music today?
TM: When I was about 12 years old I moved from New York City to New Jersey and for a couple years felt very isolated. During this period I began to form a bond with music and writing. Many of my early songs were about the loneliness I felt and the longing to get back home.
ZA: How would you describe yourself? Is your music a reflection of who you are?
TM: I would say I am kind, thoughtful and all the other generic things. But if you listen to the lyrics of my music you have insight to some of my inner most thoughts, how I feel about myself and the life I have lived.
ZA: I know that when I write (not songs), sometimes I write out of experience and sometimes I do not. Do you write by experience? If so, do you write by experience always? If not, what do you write about?
TM: I write about my own experiences and the experiences of those around me.
ZA: What is your main source of inspiration?
TM: I draw inspiration from the relationships I’ve formed with friends, family and various girlfriends. I write about many an introverted moment I have experienced, either walking the streets of New York City or sitting out in a field of my parents horse farm trying to figure out the big questions of our own existence.
ZA: How does being surrounded by New York City inspire your lyrics?
TM: There are so many stimulants on the streets, so much subject-matter, issues and concerns which people of NYC face. If you walk around long enough and talk to those around you, you find even subconsciously it seeps into your music.
ZA: Speaking of your lyrics, are all lyrics by you? Do you have any help in writing them? What is your songwriting process?
TM: Yes, I write my lyrics on my own and in some cases with others, while doing co-writing sessions. I usually begin creating my music with the harmonic and melodic elements with a subject matter in mind and then I will finish with the lyrics, but it all sort of happens at once.
ZA: Who are your favorite artists? Favorite songs?
TM: [Musicians are] David Bowie, Ray Charles, Tom Waits, Elton John and others. Song wise, For All We Know by Donny Hathaway, Rock n Roll Suicide by Bowie, Hard times by Charles.
ZA: Favorite place in the whole world?
TM: Easy. NYC.
ZA: New York City is huge, metropolitan, and crawling with conviviality and people. Because of how huge it is, do you ever feel swallowed up? Is it easy to become lonely in such a big city, or do you always feel at peace?
TM: I certainly need a break from it from time to time. What I do is absorb all the influence and energy until I have a system overload and will travel out to the horse farm and start creating based off those experiences. I find the hectic nature very calming in many ways.
ZA: If there was one thing you could change in the world what would it be? Do you donate to any charities or help out with any causes?
TM: That’s a hard question, there needs to be many changes in this world. But something immediate I would wish for is the abolition of guns in our country. I could fill book with changes I want for this world.
ZA: My last question. Why do you make music?
It was something I found very early in life which made me happy whenever I was sad. It helped me stay out of trouble as a kid and has been a watchful eye over me since those first two years I felt alone in New Jersey.
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