Hailey Orion

Name, where are you from?
Hailey Orion Hernandez. Originally from a small town in Texas (less than 2,000 people), but I’ve lived in Austin for a few years now.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable, athletic, confident and ever-changing.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Milky Chance at Emo’s in Austin when I was in High School! It was the first time I was able to be close to the front at a live show and it was MAGICAL. My favourite part was when they played their song 'Sweet Sun' and one of the members had this insane harmonica solo, it was incredible watching them dance and move so freely. I was like “THAT, that’s the way I want to feel on stage”.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Norah Jones and Carole King. They are both incredible writers and when it comes to performing they’re beautifully simple and genuine. Being able to captivate their audience by just being themselves is really inspiring to me. 'Come Away With Me' By Norah, and 'A Natural Woman' by Carole are my favourite songs by them!

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
I would say attending church/church camp as a kid helped me learn how to sing and harmonize. I’m super into song-writing, but didn’t relate to the “country song” culture of the town I grew up in, so moving to Austin and being around that “off the main path” culture definitely broke me out of my shell and introduced me to a lot of Rap/R&B music I had never heard before. People like Mac Miller, Ab-Soul, the Pro-Era group, and Noname made me realize that music can be used to tell such a huge, intense, and meaningful story. Also, I’m half-Mexican, and being a part of that culture and witnessing the way women get treated at times has given me a defiant streak, especially when it comes to making music! Utilizing my songs as a way to speak up for others is special to me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Eve, if she’s real, I just want to know what actually happened. Like was she just hungry when she ate that apple or was she feeling herself and being a rule breaker? There’s this song called 'Ballad of Eli' by Mario Fica, and I don’t know why but I feel like if Eve had a vibe that song would describe it.

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
I haven’t been to that many, but Stubbs in Austin is this cool outdoor venue that’s still on the small side. I got to see Flatbush Zombies perform and it was neat to be in an intimate space hearing them play but still get absolutely trampled by a mosh pit. The energy was exhilarating yet calming all at the same time.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Malik! He’s quite literally taught me everything I know. From producing, to writing, to every minute detail in between... his imagination and drive are endless. He’s a force of nature and the work he’s doing won’t be unsung for long. He leads by example and has truly changed my life with his knowledge and passion for music. My favourite song by him is 'Orange' but he has so much more coming so y’all be on the lookout.