Hayden James may have only released his first track in late June 2013, but he has already amassed a million plays across Soundcloud and Youtube for his work. Producing immense summer jams with soulful and evocative vocals his music has stockpiled consistently rave reviews from the US, Europe and Australia.
Hayden’s first single “Permission To Love” garnered worldwide love and attention hitting #1 most blogged on Hype Machine, as well as becoming the most played track on Triple J, it’s still early days for his debut EP which only dropped at the end of August on tastemaker label Future Classic.
We caught up with Hayden to chat about his debut track, the self-titled EP and playing Splendour in the Grass….
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
I played some records at my older brothers 21st birthday party. That’s pretty much how I started getting into music seriously. Thanks bro!
You’re debut self-titled EP is out now through Future Classic and receiving rave reviews, did you expect the EP to do as well as it has so far?
Thanks. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I’m blown away by the initial response the tracks have had. There’s a purpose to every track on the release.. I’ve tried to put as much feeling behind the tracks as possible, so it’s pretty special to me that people like the EP.
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Why did you decided to go with a self-titled release for your debut?
I honestly didn’t really think about it. As it’s my first release I just wanted to introduce my music. I’m feeling an album coming soon. I’ll definitely be naming that.
Your first single ‘Permission To Love’ got everybody listening including Nina Las Vegas who included your track on her current House Party CD. How did this come about and Is it the original track or a remix?
Yeah I was pretty happy when I found out! I actually found out by looking at the pre-release track list online and saw my track up there hah. My managers had told me about it but I guess I wasn’t listening when he did?! I find the Aussie music community really supportive and it’s great to have the support of Nina and Triple J! It’s the original track on the Triple J House party CD.
How do you find the new music you listen to?
Through friends mostly. I’ll hear a song I like in a mix they’ve done or we’re just hanging out and swapping music. I find hypem.com is a good way of finding new stuff too.
How did your set go at Splendour In The Grass this year? Assuming this was your first festival appearance, which is huge!!!
It was awesome!! I didn’t play on a big stage or anything, but it was pretty surreal playing some of my own songs and people knowing it. It was also a bonus just being at Splendour.. One of my favourite Aussie festivals.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
Oh man.. this is gonna take me a while to think about. Here we go:
Location: Woodford, QLD (Where the 2010/11 Splendour was. That natural amphitheatre is amazing)
Artists: Rage against the machine, Rolling stones, Daft Punk, Jai Paul, Flume, Disclosure, Jay Z, James Blake, Frank Ocean, The Gorillas, Teed, Hot Chip… ok I’m just naming some of my favourite artists. That first announcement should sell some tickets : )
Capacity: As many as we can fit
Special features: Massive slippery slides everywhere that connects each stage. No walking necessary
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
Seekae , Touch Sensitive, Lorde (honorary aussie) – cause they make great music!
What is your music the best soundtrack for?
Lovemaking
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
I’m playing a DJ set at Listen Out festival in Sydney on the 28th September. I’m starting to organise my live show at the moment – First show is in November, and there’s a few dates booked in December too! These shows haven’t been announced yet so that’s all I can say….
Hayden James EP is out now on Future Classic.
Watch Permission To Love here:
