Friday, May 22, 2015 10:19am ET by  
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Hunter Hayes chats exclusively to Pressparty before release of new album

American country singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes is gearing up to release his forthcoming new album 'I Want Crazy' on May 25 and we caught up with him for a chat about his craziest fan experiences so far, what he would be doing if he wasn't a musician, and also asked about his earliest musical memory. 

1. You opened for Taylor Swift on her Speak Now tour. Did she give you any career advice? What did you take away from that tour in terms of things you learned?

I think the biggest thing I learned is that I absolutely love playing on stage in an arena! Haha. I've dreamed about arenas for a long time but that was my first real experience of doing shows in that size venue and I was instantly hooked. There's nothing quite like it and I really hope I get to do this for the rest of my life! 

2. Country music has become more and more accessible over the last few years and it’s now crossing over into other genres. What do you think makes it so relatable and appealing? What do you love about it?

All I can really say that there's a feeling you get when someone sings something in a storyteller way that breaks through walls and just connects. The vulnerability in some of these songs allows you to create what I always call "the soundtrack". Country has always had that storyteller connection thing that really exemplifies the power of music.  

3. We recently read that you’re a huge Ed Sheeran fan – which other artists are you listening to at the moment and what do you like about them?

My good friends in Striking Matches (see music video below) just put out a new record and I'm so excited for them. It's so great to see them being so well received all over the world and they're just such great people! I am really hoping to jam with them again soon cause they are SERIOUSLY great guitar players and we all speak the same language. 

4. You're headlining London's KOKO venue later tonight (May 22)! What have your fans in the UK been like so far? Are you excited?

Just the two shows we've played in the UK so far have been fantastic! The fans know every word to every song and the excitement level at the shows is awesome. So excited about this run of shows. Got a bunch of new musical arrangements that I can't wait to play!  

 

 

5. What’s the craziest fan experience you’ve had to date?

On our first trip to Japan, we were going to do the first interviews and I was just introducing my music over there in hopes that we'd get the invitation to go back and play some shows. After getting all of our bags from baggage claim, I came through the door to see like 20-30 people with signs with my name and records they'd found online. It was absolutely awesome and needless to say we've been back several times since! 

6. If you weren’t a musician, what would you want to be doing?

Racecar driver. 

7. What do you love the most about music? Is there one thing about it in particular that keeps you feeling so passionate about it?

It's just such a great outlet. It's a fantastic form of expression even if you don't play or work with music. It allows everyone a place to be themselves.  

8. You’re a multi-instrumentalist and have an impressive range of talents – what’s your earliest memory of playing music?

Very kind of you, thank you. I remember playing with Hank Williams Jr. When I was four. Possibly mostly thanks to the video of it being on YouTube - but I can at least say I remember parts of it for sure. 

9. What do you miss the most from home when you’re on the road?

Family, friends, and my dog Cole. Although I'm lucky to sometimes have my family come out on the road with me, Cole comes out quite often and I get to work with people whom I consider to be my friends. 

10. Where do you find inspiration for songwriting? Do you write from real experiences or from things you observe? Is there any one place that you feel more creative in – a location or room in your home, for example?

I love writing in a writing studio. I have one at home but I'm almost too relaxed at home. I prefer writing downtown in Nashville where there's a little pressure to drive you. Several of my writing buddies all have studios where they write so I'm starting to spend more time traveling to write, it puts me in a different headspace. I've found I'm not as productive on the road because my head is always focused on the show and I don't allow myself to snap out of it. I do write from personal experiences because I feel like that allows the song to be more conversational and sometimes more personal. 

 

 

 

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Watch his music video for 'Light Me Up' below: