Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive with Hailey Schreurs

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Hailey: I grew up in a small town in rural Victoria, Australia. I spent my primary (elementary) school days at a small elementary school (93 kids). This is where I discovered my passion for singing. My teacher would always get me to sing at concerts and performance nights and it just seemed like second nature to me by the time I finished.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Hailey: I was originally named ‘Haich Ess”. Haich Ess are my initials, H & S spelt out. I did this because my last name is really hard to pronounce and spell but as I developed more with my music, I just wanted to be myself.

 

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Hailey: Online forums are a really awesome way to get your music to a wide range of people coming from different age groups, genders, religions and races. I think it’s a great way to develop a following.
I personally have not given away any music for free, but if the chance arose I would.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Hailey: Always say yes to everything! I got given this advice from the audio engineer of The Rubens and it’s the main bit of advice that has stuck with me throughout my musical journey. If you’re staring up and you’ve been offered a gig with someone who’s music you aren’t really a fan of, say yes. It will help you in the long run with gaining a wider range of fans and you will probably end up liking that persons music anyway haha.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Hailey: When I first started out, I used to get super nervous and I would fumble the microphone, forget where to start singing or forget my lyrics but as my confidence developed, so did my performance skills and silly mistake making eventually went away. I often brushed off my embarrassment by laughing at myself or making a joke with the audience and it generally made me cope better.

 

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Hailey: I’m currently not touring or looking to tour just yet but it is definitely something that will be looked into in the future.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Hailey: I usually gather my inspiration from personal experiences. I write songs about love, ex partners, social issues, mental health and womens rights. I feel quite strongly about a lot of topics so they tend to get a mention in one way or another in each song I write.

 

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Hailey: I’m in the process of developing a website but it’s still in it’s early stages.
I currently use Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to share my music to my fans and I use snapchat and Instagram to connect my music with my friends.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Hailey: Probably Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Let’s Get Physical’ or ‘Barbie Girl’ by Aqua.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Hailey: I’d definitely put some of it towards my music, making new stuff and recording but I would love to travel Europe, teach music and visit my family in The Netherlands.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Hailey: I’m currently using just my home studio and doing a few bits and pieces in a professional studio but nothing major until the album is written.

 

 

 

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Hailey: Well, my mum and my sister are my biggest fans and the share my music with their friends so that helps a lot but I find social media and my industry connections to be the most useful when promoting my new music.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Hailey: I would LOVE to perform at Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee with Amy Winehouse, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin and Demi Lovato.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Hailey: I’m currently working on my first album. I’m collaborating with a few cool artists so i’m really looking forward to it.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Hailey: I would probably be studying art or psychology. They’re my passions outside of music.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Hailey: I do remember buy in my first album, if I remember correctly it was Nelly Furtado and my mum and I would listen to it in the car all the time.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Hailey: It’s definitely hard. When all you want to do is stay home and write songs but you have to go to work and earn money to put into making those songs, it sucks. I cope pretty well with my ‘normal’ life and my music life and I tend to have my priorities in order so I manage.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

Hailey: My fans should definitely look out for some new music with collaborations with some really funky and fresh artists. I’ve got a lot planned in the next year or so and I hope they all enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed making it.