The latest single from Hazel Ray is a beautifully stripped down piece called "Find The Light" and it's inspirational enough to turn your day around.
The song features mainly vocals and acoustic guitar and with such a passionate performance the songs comes through heart warming and grabs your attention from the get go, and really doesn't let go.
The song paves the way for Hazel to make her own path in the musical world and luckily, there's more to come soon enough.
Her follow up single "Afraid To Die" drops Dec. 7th and in anticipation for the release, we wanted to sit down with the artist to talk about it all.
Here's what happened.
RAG: How did this all start for you?
Hazel: I started writing my own songs at the age of 16. I have always felt like writing my own music was healing for my soul. Any troubles I faced could be moved with a song and singing it with all my heart. Self doubt caught me through my early 20's and now I am back after years of growing and learning about who I am. My goal, to make people heal through feel.
RAG: What's next for you? Anything coming soon?
Hazel: My next song 'Afraid To Die' is coming out on the 7th of December. A song that I am extremely excited to release. It really urges the listener to question and ponder how it is that we are so quick to accept certain things in the cycle of life but still have a very real fear of death. A very melodic song with space in between to allow time for the listener to really reflect on the message.
RAG: Do you think you'll be performing live when the time comes?
Hazel: Yes, yes and yes. Performing live is partly what I do this for. Nothing better than seeing your music connect with those around you. Moves me really. Live streams are on their way too.
RAG: I'm hearing some different styles on "Find The Light" Who are your biggest musical influences?
Hazel: I shall explain it like this. My music is as if Eva Cassidy and Adele met at a coffee shop in London to ponder the meaning of life and the pure amazement of revolving ice cream cones...... Love these two singer/songwriters, they move me to my core.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Hazel: Trying to learn how to surf and teaching Secondary School, Maths and Science.
RAG: You've really been accomplishing quite a lot musically. Is there any advice you can give to other aspiring artists trying to get heard out there?
Hazel: Be unapologetically YOU. Find people who genuinely love you and believe in what you are doing. Make them part of your team and go for it.
RAG: How do you write your songs? Is it lyrics first? Or do you think of a melody and go from there?
Hazel: Bit of both really. Sometimes I can be driving in my car and I will just put a whole song down without playing a note. Other times I will be either sitting at the piano or with the guitar and co-write music and lyrics as I go...... It really depends on what I am feeling.
RAG: Before we go, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?
Hazel: Cliché really, but thank you. Thank you for letting me be me and allowing me into your homes, cars, work places, showers etc to share my journey with you. Eternally grateful.
