Hayden Calnin
Hayden Calnin is a talented talented Australian singer songwriter who is doing good thing and thought he was worth interview. Read on and go to one of his shows at The Toff In Town on Monday’s all this month.
1. How did you get into music?
I’ve often thought about how exactly i started playing music but i guess apart from wanting to learn the guitar when my dad gave me his, it probably stemmed from knowing my twin uncles were in a band when they were in their 20s and i use to think that was cool. I still spin their cd all the time too!
2. What was it like to play with Matt Corby, Gossling and Mat McHugh?
I was quite honoured to play with all of them. They are all such lovely and different people/musicians so i learnt so much about the music world and lifestyle by touring with them. It also allowed me to play in other states for the first time and open the door to fans and new ears.
3. What inspires you when writing music?
Everything. My songs usually are based around how im feeling rather than focusing on one subject. I’ve written songs about my shoes, to songs about loss and anger. It really depends on what is going on around me, and when it clicks that this could be turned into a song ill grab out my little book or head home and start putting it together.
4. How does it feel to play the toff in town every Monday July?
It feels awesome. The toff is one of my all time favourite Melbourne venues so to be able to put on a show there every week for a whole month is pretty exciting. Plus I’ve got an amazing support band called Manor, that are opening for me each week and they are pretty amazing!
5. What is your upcoming EP city about?
Its called City because i wrote all the songs whilst living in the city. Its about my life away from home, from my family and about becoming an independent in a pretty big place.
6. How does it feel to have radio play on a British radio station?
I love England. I went there for a month a while back, and the music scene over there is mind blowing so to have my songs being played on the airwaves over there is exciting and also very helpful. Hopefully ill be able to head back soon and do some shows over there!
7. How has social media helped you as an artist?
It spreads news quicker than any other medium. If you have something to share, its almost too easy to share it with your fans. Musicians and businesses alike would be pretty rooted without it these days.
8. Are you surprised how things have gone for you so far?
Heck yes! I did not think any of this would eventuate into what it has. And it’ll hopefully only continue to get better and more exciting. Im lucky to have an awesome team of people behind me helping me along the way!
9. What is next for yourself?
After the Toff residency its the EP launch. Finally. And from then on, its a road unknown. Hopefully an awesome one. I want to look into festivals and heading overseas but im in no rush, im pretty young.
10. If you could have anybody in a video clip who would it be?
Id get Natalie portman involved. I’ve had a crush on her since star wars episode one…