Hayes Warner on Her Punk-Pop Influence and Reaching a Massive Milestone

INTERVIEW

✦

INTERVIEW ✦

In the music scene, it’s always necessary to shake things up. And within a short period, singer-songwriter Hayes Warner has already proven to be a capable performer who brings refreshing energy to the industry.

Ushering in a new era of raw, courageous pop music prowess with a distinctive punk persona, Warner has committed herself to meticulously carving out a unique space through viral hit tracks like “Breadcrumbs” and “SHUT UP” — each incorporating evocative lyrics across dynamic, band-heavy soundscapes. Having solidified herself as unapologetically rebellious yet melodic through these staple songs, Warner has since continued to infuse each of her impactful tracks (including the growing popularity of her exceptional cover of No Doubt’s “Just A Girl”) with a sense of urgency and passion that’s incredibly magnetic.

More impressively, the singer’s natural embrace of her love for the punk ethos continues to set her apart in a sea of traditional, safer pop acts, perfectly positioning Warner as an artist that the industry requires. Now, as she prepares to embark on her next liberating chapter, one thing is clear – the world needs to prepare for the unstoppable force that is Hayes Warner.

Hayes Warner

Since diving into the music scene, you’ve already garnered millions of streams with playlist essentials and a unique punk-tinted pop sound. Did you always have a clear vision of the music you wanted to make – or are there any artists that influenced your style?

Hayes Warner: It definitely took me a bit to nail down a sound that felt authentic to me. I started playing the piano when I was just 4, and my first attempts at writing music were — awfully written —ballads. But as I branched out, explored different genres, and got to know myself better, my music evolved. Over the years, I've had tons of influences, like Blondie, Joan Jett, Hayley Williams, and Gwen Stefani.

In a short amount of time you’ve sold out venues, toured with Fetty Wap, and soon enough, you’ll get the chance to perform at Lollapalooza! Now that you’ve gotten an opportunity to share your music in a live setting, is there one specific moment, or even aspect of performing that’s been the most nerve-wracking?

Hayes Warner: One live performance setting that can be nerve-wracking is opening for other artists. It's a major honor and opportunity to open for other artists, so there's that added pressure to deliver the best performance. It can also feel like diving into a blind date situation. You're hoping to charm the crowd that didn’t come to the show for you, but with music being so subjective, you can't win everyone over. I opened for Neon Trees this weekend – huge honor, big nerves – I've idolized them forever, so the pressure was real. 

Your 2022 song “SHUT UP” is a personal favorite because it feels like a multi-faceted pop-rock hit with several layers to it! And at this point, it’s already been streamed over a million times on Spotify alone. How did that song initially come to life – and given its detail-oriented production, how long did it take until you were completely satisfied with it?

Hayes Warner

Hayes Warner: Thank you!  "SHUT UP" definitely holds the record for the quickest song I've ever written—we knocked out the hook in under an hour, and the production stayed solid from the get-go. Writing “SHUT UP” was also the first time I collaborated with Jackson Hoffman and Ryder Stuart, who I went on to write so many other songs with. It was honestly such an exciting moment because I really felt I had found great collaborators. Writing “SHUT UP” reminded me how special something can be when you don’t overthink. 

Your song “Breadcrumbs” is another punk-influenced track that garnered a lot of attention, leading to a remix that featured Loren Gray. What was your reaction to the prospect of that collaboration, and what’s your favorite thing about the remix?

Hayes Warner: I love Loren – she’s an amazing businesswoman, friend, and songwriter, so when she reached out to me with love for “Breadcrumbs,” I was dying to collaborate with her. We immediately connected as great friends and the whole process of recreating the song together was so much fun. She gave the song a new life with her vocals and it was so amazing seeing the remix version come together. One of my favorite parts of the remix is the music video. I think it perfectly captures the girl-powered essence that Loren and I wanted to infuse into the remix. In the video, we act like detectives working together to catch a serial cheater, shifting the focus away from the cheating drama and spotlighting lifting each other up instead.

You recently dropped your interpretation of the classic song “Just a Girl” which brought such a nice modern spin to the No Doubt track. Did you enter the song with more excitement or nerves given its reputation?

Hayes Warner: Definitely entered with nerves knowing how iconic the song is and how much Gwen and No Doubt have shaped my own music. My goal of the interpretation was to pay homage to Gwen's impact on me without altering the original meaning of the lyrics. I just wanted to express how much the 1995 version means to me and highlight that what Gwen wrote years ago is still legendary and totally meaningful today.

The song also received radio play which is always a huge moment for an artist! What was that experience like after all of the work you’ve put into your craft and career?

Hayes Warner: It’s super exciting to see the song reach so many people. I just got an update this morning that it’s in the Top 40 now on US radio which is incredible. I’ve grown up listening to radio which has put me onto artists and shaped my music taste, so hearing my own music on these stations has been such an honor and huge milestone for me.

With more music in the works and exciting performances coming soon – what’s the one thing that you’re most looking forward to?

Hayes Warner: I’m releasing my debut EP this summer! I’m really proud of the project - I think it captures who I am as an artist and as a person. I'm so excited about performing the songs live and connecting with people who listen to my music face-to-face. Also, I found out I’m performing at Lollapalooza this summer which is a HUGE dream come true for me!