A Chat with Hazel Ray (07.09.23)
Penned with the aim of reaching individuals who need a space to heal, express themselves and find purpose, singer-songwriter Hazel Ray adds sophisticated lyrics to tender melodies. We speak with the pop-soul sensation about her new single ‘My Demon’, binge-watching TV, sub-genres and much more.
OSR: Hi Hazel, thanks for speaking with us. So, what made you decide to become a musician?
Hazel Ray: My grandfather (Ray) was a musician, he played the drums. Sadly, he passed away when I was 10. I really struggled with his passing, which led me down a path of trying to understand death and the afterlife. With this, a desire started to burn inside of me to begin playing music.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Hazel Ray: Connection and healing. Everything. Music is a frequency that can penetrate the body. It can evoke emotional responses and in turn move stagnant energy built within us, sometimes that has been there for a very long time. Music was built into us from the very first sound of the mother’s heartbeat, it runs to our core with our very own heartbeat. There is so much we don’t know about music as a healer but I am so excited to see what we do with it as a collective in the future.
OSR: ‘My Demon’ is your first single in 2023. Do you feel it is an evolution from your previous work?
Hazel Ray: The songs that I have been releasing are a constant evolution of sound and story. It is the most full-sounding and atmospheric song I have released to date. I love watching my own progression as an artist as I learn and grow throughout not only songwriting but in the industry as a whole.
OSR: What can you tell us about ‘My Demon’? What inspired the song and is there a particular meaning to it?
Hazel Ray: ‘My Demon’ is just as much about a personal journey as it is about the journey of all. Everyone at some point in their life faces the little voice in their heads that tells them that they aren’t good enough or that they won’t amount to anything. For some people, these voices become so strong that it can lead them to paths in life that can be destructive to their health emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. This unfortunately/fortunately was also the case for myself. I say fortunately because it was through facing these inner demons that has pushed me to live a more fulfilled and inspired life, aligned with my Truth.
OSR: Creating a new song must be exciting. What are the most exciting and greatest challenges when composing something new?
Hazel Ray: Picking the direction of the track I find really challenging. When you have heard a song you have written a particular way for so long stepping into a studio to create new directions and ideas can be quite stressful and exciting all at the same time. It can take my ears a few takes to hear the beauty of the possibilities!!!
OSR: What do you hope people take from ‘My Demon’?
Hazel Ray: Hope and strength, that no matter how dark things become, the light will always prevail. Fear is what cages souls from living their dreams. Fear is what caged me from living mine. Some people will live their whole life in a fearful state of mind. Fearing death, fearing sickness, fearing success, but also fearing failure, so much so that people are paralysed doing the same ‘safe’ routines in their life but living a miserable existence in the process. Face the fears, face the Demon, live your Dreams
OSR: Most people don’t particularly want to label themselves but what are your thoughts on the growing number of sub-genres?
Hazel Ray: No one knows the truth as to why we are here or how we got here. So for me, no one can tell you who you are and what you identify as. Conformity is the death of self-expression and creativity. Be who you want to be and be proud of it.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
OSR: If you could spend the weekend with absolutely any celebrity, who would it be and why?
Hazel Ray: Benny Blanco to write some absolutely mind-blowing tracks!!! I think he has a hand in some of the most popular music of today, but also music that has deeper messages of healing.
OSR: I don’t know if you binge-watch TV shows, but if you do what would you most likely binge-watch?
Hazel Ray: Black Mirror.
OSR: Do you have any advice for new musicians?
Hazel Ray: Be yourself, don’t play to the ‘catalogue’ and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Be the lighthouse for others to find their way.
OSR: What can we expect from Hazel Ray in the future?
Hazel Ray: I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and you are always where you need to be. I will continue to produce music that aligns with my soul’s purpose and mission. I have some new music coming that is more uplifting, but still philosophical in its entirety. From here, I will continue service and push my music as far and wide as I can. It will reach the souls that need to hear it and opportunities will come my way that I am destined for; however great or small.
Many thanks to Hazel Ray for speaking with us! Find out more about Hazel Ray on her official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
