HALIENE The voice of “Saving Light” ASOT Tune of the Year 2017, “Pages” with ATB, “Rush Over Me” with Seven Lions + Illenium + Said The Sky, “Breathe” with Slander + Adam K, and many more
Interview conducted March 15, 2021
By Dan Locke
Rising from the world of trance and melodic dubstep, HALIENE is defining a new type of artist. Her angelic voice soars through the noise, capturing millions of hearts with her profound lyrics and heavenly melodies. With collaborations spread across the who’s-who of the DJ world with the likes of Armin van Buuren, Markus Schultz, Seven Lions, Tritonal Illenium, Morgan Page, and singles topping the charts from Billboard to Beatport, she’s become dance music’s newest superstar — and she’s just getting started.
You were raised on Jazz Standards. What is your upbringing?
I was raised in a very creative home with my father being a jazz pianist and my mother being a visual artist. Music and art were a huge part of our life and I think that has definitely shaped my creativity as well.
How did you discover music?
I don’t remember a time I didn’t love music. Music was always part of who I was/am. My mother used to say I came out singing, and that is kind of true. I don’t remember a time that being a singer wasn’t the only real option.
How did you start to write music?
I’ve always been a writer. I loved writing fully illustrated children’s stories when I was only 7 years old. I started writing poetry and lyrics only around the age of 12. I didn’t know how to write melodies yet so I just wrote tons of lyrics. Around 15 I started writing full songs!
Describe your music.
Ethereal electronic trance and melodic dubstep influenced electropop. I strive to make music that transports you to another world, either in your imagination or deeper inside yourself. I hope to write songs that create more love and healing in this world.
Tell me about your first live performance at Webster Hall, NY on March 5, 2015?
My first performance as HALIENE was at Webster Hall with Seven Lions yes, however, I have been performing since I was 4 years old. I have toured all over the world. Webster Hall was the first time I’d gotten to perform for dance music fans and they truly blew me away. There are no greater fans in the world. They bring so much love for the music, and you can feel it up there. I feel so blessed to be in this genre.
What makes a good songwriter?
Well, I have been writing songs for 15 years now, and I’ve gotten to write with and learn from some of the best songwriters in the world. I’ve written hundreds and hundreds of songs, and as the saying goes it takes 10,000 hours to master something. I know what works now from a technical perspective, and I know what doesn’t. I’ve also reached a new level in my songwriting that isn’t just personal therapy anymore, it’s finding universal personal truth. I think there are stages of a songwriter becoming their best, just like there are stages of growing up. Once you reach a certain level of professionalism, you go through the stage of telling your story as a songwriter, thinking “this is what I have to say”. But they you’ve told it, and then what? Usually you enter into the scientific/construction thinking of songwriting, and it loses some of its vulnerability but you gain very important tools. And then these things combine and you start writing the really good stuff, what is true for you and for others, paired with all the technical tools too.
What is the process of writing your music?
I like to start with a concept or just a thought and see where it leads me. Other times the melodies come first and the lyrics follow naturally. I get into a space of total creative flow and I better be recording, because I won’t remember it when it comes through!
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes, I am part of ASCAP, and have been since I started writing songs.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The first full song I wrote was called Bring Me Home. I wrote with my father. We might have recorded it very roughly, but I am not sure where it is now. I’ll have to find it!
How was it to perform the National Anthem 3 times for the Los Angeles Lakers?
It was amazing! The first one I did I was only 14. I’ve done anthems for over a dozen major league sports teams all over the US.
In 2017, you won Armin Van Buuren’s prestigious “Tune of the Year”. What was that day like for you?
It was absolutely incredible. I admired Armin’s radio show and his music for years before that. I am so grateful for the support that song has received.
How has it been touring the world?
It’s been a wild ride! In the past five years, I’ve gotten to perform at huge shows in places I’ve never dreamed of getting to travel! In early 2020 before the pandemic, I got to go to St. Petersburg and Moscow (second time), Singapore, Taipei, Taichung, and Jakarta (also my second time). It’s incredible to see how far my music has reached, and I am always so happy to meet my fans!
You have become EDM’s most sought-after live vocalist. How many requests do you get a year?
More than I can count! LOL! We get several inquiries a day even though my website says we are not accepting unsolicited collaborations right now. I do have to say no a lot. Right now, I am focusing on my solo material.
How was it to open up for Paul Simon?
I was 18 years old when I opened for Paul, and it was a dream come true. I have studied his lyrics so much. I was told he probably wouldn’t talk to me much, but he stayed for my soundcheck and asked me how I got a voice like that. He’s incredible and I learned so much being on that tour.
What is your favorite track on your album?
Which album? On my upcoming HALIENE EP, it is one that no one has heard yet, but it’s coming out next!
How do you stay healthy while performing?
I take vitamins, I don’t drink on tour, I sleep whenever and wherever I can. I eat as healthy as possible, and I wear masks (yes before the pandemic I was doing that and used to get strange looks) on planes. I sanitize my hands often on planes too!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I am happy that we are finally seeing an uptick in income in the music industry since the invention of Napster. Streaming is better than stealing, but it’s still not perfect. Far from it. We don’t make much off our music as artists compared to 20 years ago, but hopefully things will start to change with the MMA, etc.
You are still doing shows. How is it to work with societally distance?
I did two socially distant shows, one in Southern California at Dreamstate Drive-in and the other in Austin. It was very different but better than nothing. It was still amazing to see my fans, to sing my songs with them, and to experience music together. They have been far apart and far away, and the energy was extremely difficult to feel and control, but we were all there and it was amazing for that.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I don’t have cable, and I watch very little TV, but when I do watch it on Amazon Prime, Hulu or Netflix.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses. The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only. How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I steam exclusively on Twitch, and I love Twitch. They have been huge for us artists in this time. I don’t stream on Facebook, so I am not sure, but I think it will change drastically. I stream on Mondays at 8PM PST at twitch.tv/halienetv.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Let’s hope they CAN soon.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Sending all my love to my fans all over the world. Thanks for interviewing me!
