Exclusive Interview with HAZEL RAY

Since she can remember, Hazel Ray has been composing music. As a young child, she found her niche among the melodies of her parents’ record collection, and the rest is, as they say, history. Her lyrics are written with the intention of reaching the most vulnerable people. Giving her listeners a space for connection and even healing. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

HAZEL RAY: I come from Torquay in Victoria, Australia. The music journey started playing piano at 13 and singing lessons at 16. The songwriting shortly followed, writing a heartfelt song called ‘Heaven’, questioning where we go when we die. I wrote an album and sent this to Sony at 18. I received a reply telling me that my voice was amazing but that my song writing needed maturing. This crushed my dreams at the time, so I moved on to a teaching degree and taught for 10 years in the school system. My heart would always lead me back to the piano to write music of meaning and wisdom, but I never thought it was good enough. One day my mental health declined so much that I thought I may lose my life…….. coming out the other side and healing showed me that life is too short not to live your dreams. So blew up my life and here I am. Sharing a message to all that it is never too late, but also, if you follow your heart you will always be where you are meant to.

2. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘HAZEL RAY?

HAZEL RAY: Delta Goodrem became famous in Australia as a singer/songwriter when I was 16 years old. She has one of the most beautiful and powerful voices I have ever heard. Her music wasn’t always about love and teen romances, it had substance about life and I really admired that about her music. My Pa is a big part of my music story. He was a jazz drummer and ran his own Jazz band that played all over our local towns. Sadly he passed away of Motor Neurone Disease when I was 10 and never saw me play music. I struggled with his death so much so that he was the catalyst for the first song I ever wrote ‘Heaven; that I mentioned earlier. His name was Ray. My great nanna’s name is Hazel and I also have Hazel eyes. It felt fitting to honour my Pa and my great nanna in the name Hazel Ray.

3. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

HAZEL RAY: My music is aimed at opening the listeners souls and hearts to their true nature and spirt. We all have a path on this earth that is destined for us but it is easy to get caught in the Rat Race from all of the outside noise and distractions. Having faced different mental health issues in my life, I reflect on this in a way that allows others to see that they too could become the hero of their own story. When asked what to expect when listening to a Hazel Ray track I say “Imagine, Adele, Eva Cassidy and Lady Gaga met a coffee shop in London to discuss the deep meaning of life and the pure amazement of revolving ice cream cones”….. that is my music.

4. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

HAZEL RAY: My mission is ” The world doesn’t need saving, people do and it we give the people the tools to save themselves, we save the world”. The music that I put out is predominantly to help awaken people to who they really are. To question the mainstream narrative and offer a different perspective. In my case, YES, I see the role and function of music in politics, spirituality etc; however, I don’t believe that all music has to have this component. People need a chance to switch off from the rollercoaster nature of existence, and music with no hidden agenda offers that vehicle to transport your frequency to higher places of peace.

5. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

HAZEL RAY:

This question is hard as I write in so many different ways. Many of my songs have started on a voice note while driving. I think when a part of my mind is in auto pilot, i feel I am more open to my higher self sending through messages, some call this ‘flow state’ where creativity arises. Other times I will have concepts come to me that I start to brain storm the deeper meaning of, until I feel the urge to sit down and see what comes. Lastly, I will put on a loop and just freestyle melodies until I feel pulled by an idea. I LOVE the creative process of writing a song and usually my rule of thumb is if I get out a 2 verses and a chorus I will continue to write the song and if I don’t it wasn’t meant to be.

6. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

HAZEL RAY: I am a firm believer in the notion that everything happens for a reason. If I try to write music for the catalog, for more views, for a more ‘Now’ sound. My creativity dies. I consider the concept that I am a vehicle channeling the messages that need to be shared with a select audience and when I get to see how this music touches the hearts and souls of that particular audience, it absolutely lights my soul on fire. Burning to create more, for more healing to occur. Whilst at times the journey can get tough, the greater mission is always in sight and I just know that all will be how it was always intended to be and I can just enjoy the ride.

7. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

HAZEL RAY: LIVE AUDIENCE!!!! The power of story telling, vulnerability and personal energy exchange in a live setting is invaluable. To watch people’s complete demeanour change with one bar of music is a beautiful thing to watch. There are many times in my shows I watch people release pain through crying or experience joy through smiling and laughing. As an artist those moments are the fuel that keeps the fire burning.

8. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

HAZEL RAY: I am a single mum of two beautiful little kiddies (5 and 3). I want to show them that they two should never give up on there dreams; however, great or small. Teach them that if it is intended on your journey in this life the universe will conspire to bring you abundance and joy in what you choose. I have had to make many sacrifices to continue to travel on this journey with them beside me and its navigating that juggle of mum and artist that has been the most difficult.

9. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

HAZEL RAY: Putting on my very unique but powerful show ‘Asleep To Awake’ has been the most soul fulling piece of art I have created to date, that I am extremely proud of. I truely see the light in every human spirit and wish to awaken the souls of the world to their infinite possibilities by unveiling the illusion of life. I draw on both my Behavioural Neuroscience and Teaching degree (Mathematics and Science) to break down the fundamentals of mindset and the power and infinite nature of frequency. I use anecdotal evidence, story telling and original music with powerful meaningful lyrics to connect on a deeper level with the audience, with the wish for one take home message “Consider It all”. I endeavour to one day be putting these shows on to large audiences all over the World, but until then I will trust the process.

10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

HAZEL RAY: In my career thus far I am lucky to have encountered only small amounts of criticism. The nature of my message in my music and my mission can be quite confronting for those who are miserable in their lives or for those who are still heavily blinded in the Rat Race. It is those who are not ready to look within and confront their inner Demons that are the first to turn their backs on what I have to offer. As my following grows and my platform hits a larger scale I understand that so to will the “haters”. I trust in my mission and what the world needs to hear and I will continue to send compassion to those individuals who are having trouble aligning to their path on earth, after all being human isn’t easy.