Diandra Interviews Gavin Haley: The Way I Am Is….. Lovely!
“The Way I Am” is one of the most beautiful songs of the year, in part, because Gavin Haley and Ella Vos are two of the most sentimental performers I have ever seen. Haley, himself, dives into his songs with eyes closed as if he was asking his voice to swim in emotions. Hence, it is no wonder that his responses to my questions reflect a man who really does see himself as a force, of which he has to decide where he places his energy to find those that accept him the way he is.
Diandra: What have you learned about yourself when being away from home, and how has that influenced your art?
Gavin: Choosing who gets your energy is a powerful thing. Being isolated or in a new environment can force you to look inwards. It’s scary but I think it gave me a lot to write about.
Gavin Haley – The Way I Am (feat. Ella Vos, Luke Korns, Olivia Rouyre) [Official Music Video]
Diandra: Singing to love, what is one truth you always find about relationships?
Gavin: I think relationships push you to grow. I think either the best or the worst in you comes out. Good energy is rare.
Me: FACTS!
Diandra: What are your deal-breakers or musts for falling in love?
Gavin: I don’t really have any deal breakers really but I just gotta feel safe with you.
Me: MORE FACTS!
Gavin Haley – Long Game (Official Music Video)
Diandra: With making music being so cathartic to you, what songs of yours have been like therapy sessions and what emotions did they release?
Gavin: Damn. These are some cool questions umm. You know… they all feel good to finish. Writing is s a beautiful process from start to finish. I explain songs as being like a capsule of emotion and you don’t gotta feel those emotions always, but you can store them in that song. A few that got me through a lot are “Better Off” and “Long Game.”
Diandra: How do you feel songwriting and cycling, a once passion, are strangely similar?
Gavin: There isn’t much to compare. I believe if you can close your eyes and see something you’re half way there. It’s about being in tune. I’ve always been inspired to be better. In that way, I guess most things are similar.
Diandra: You are all about getting better and growing. How have these years “redefined” what “growing” and “better” mean to you?
Gavin: My motivation has always been to be the best I can be. I believe the key is finding something you truly love, a reason to be here. Everyone in their own way is searching for something or someone to live for.
Gavin Haley – Show Me [Official Music Video]
Diandra: How do you feel singing in church taught you to perform in concert?
Gavin: It only taught me to close my eyes and sing, to be honest. People always tell me to open my eyes but I’m in my feels, damn!
Diandra: What was your most influential music moment in your time in Belgium?
Gavin: This is going to sound so dumb but, to be honest, I would just jam with my guitar alone in a bathroom and pretend I was on stage somewhere. When I raced bikes, I had some weird moments and just having a guitar there, with me, got me through a lot.
Diandra: A lot of artists define themselves as honest. How do you feel your music speaks to human truth, and what is that truth to you?
Diandra: I think my music makes you feel a lot. It’s authentic to me and I hope it brings care to people; however they need it.
Diandra: What was the moment for you when you knew music was your path, and do you feel it was fate?
Gavin: I got my first guitar at 14, and I think I always knew after that. It’s funny because I’m pretty shit at guitar, but it was a constant friend for me when I needed it. I remember some training rides I was on, while living in Belgium, and I was out there thinking about music instead of racing. It was such a weird time. 19 was a tough age.
Diandra: You love fruits and positivity. What fruits emanate positivity to you and why?
Gavin: Avocados, yo. Just look at those things. All those healthy omega 3s coming to give you a beautiful hug. Mangos are pretty lit, too.
Diandra: In honor of “The Way I Am,”What are the qualities you most love about yourself as a person and artist?
Gavin: I love the joy I bring to what I do and that I can smile through some bullshit. I never wanna lose that.
Diandra: What was it like working with Ella Vos, and what is your favorite memory of the experience?
Gavin: Ella is a wonderful human and artist. The process was dope & easy. We hung out a few times, but my favorite memory is probably the video shoot. We were just laughing the whole day.
What a lovely interview and lovelier human being. I hope he never loses his smile, and NEVER stops closing his eyes when he sings (lol!). For More Information On Gavin Haley Click Here.
