We’re looking forward to introducing you to Hailey Verhaalen. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Hailey, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I make these little fairy houses, and the process totally makes me lose track of time and connect with my inner child! After losing my dog last November, I started making them for other people who have lost their loved ones. I’m now stock piling them to be able to open a shopify and/or etsy store opening this November in honor of the 1 year anniversary of Luna’s passing. More information here: haileyverhaalen.com/lunaslight
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a singer/songwriter originally from Oregon. I moved to Nashville in 2016, and just celebrated my 9th Nashiversary! I love writing songs, whether it is for myself or other people. Songwriting is something that has gotten me through every single stage in life, and it is an honor to get to share those experiences and help others through song. While I continue to grow my original catalogue, I am also attending school to learn the art of production. I want to be able to produce my own songs to release, and this felt like the right step to take to achieve that!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband. Hands down. I have never had anyone take the time to learn the ins and outs of me and my personality and be able to understand me in ways nobody else does. He helps dig me out of the shadows of my trauma, and helps me to see the beautiful parts of myself.
He has a way of throwing out ideas around things he knows I’ll like, and I’ve been able to take some of those things and run with them. One example being my fairy houses. He came up with the idea while we were on a walk one day after I found a cool stick and said it reminded me of the top of a roof. He suggested we go home and build a little house with it, so we collected more sticks and built our first fairy house together. I’ve been refining and making them ever since. I like to think of these little houses as a visual of what my heart looks like, and Clinton was the one who drew that out of me so I could see it.
Again, more info at haileyverhaalen.com/lunaslight
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That a lot of time, especially in the music industry, you live in the valleys in between the mountain peaks. The valleys consist of the hard work, the battles, the waiting, the less glamorous stuff no-one sees. The peaks are the moments of success that the world does see, and boy do these moments feel amazing. It is important to remember that you matter in both areas and not just at the top of the mountains. Your worth is not in your performance, but in every moment that leads you through the valley to it.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that my family, singing, creating and nature are very important to me. These things help me to feel most me, and I feel really connected to each of them. I think they’d also mention my love for passing down the gift of music to the next generation. I am a big advocate of Youth Music Project, a non-profit near my hometown who provides music lessons and instruments to children who might not have access due to family financial strain. They are a wonderful organization. More info here: https://www.youthmusicproject.org
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I won’t regret giving my musical dreams a true chance by moving to Nashville. It has led to some of the most exciting adventures I could’ve ever dreamed of! Looking back on my 9 years in Nashville, I’ve gotten to check so many things off my bucket list I wouldn’t have if I never moved.
Because 23 year old me was brave enough to pull her roots, 24 year old me got to play some big festival stages. 25 year old me started getting some cuts from fellow songwriters, 26 year old me got to record demos in a grammy award winning engineer’s studio, 27 year old me met her future husband that 29 year old me married. 30 year old me was selected as a Tractor Supply Emerging artist and was mentored by Ashley McBryde. That experience led to the opportunity to sing on the Grand Ole Opry stage with Lainey Wilson, Lauren Alaina, Charlie Worsham and my fellow TSC emerging artists. 31 year old me released an EP called Dreamcatcher that honored every single version of me that helped me get to where I am now. Now…. 32 year old me is back in school for production and also exploring other forms of art. Again, all because 23 year old me was brave enough to try.
When I’m feeling stuck, I can look back on the proof of what “going for it” can truly bring and be reminded that even when it’s scary, it’s worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haileyverhaalen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileyvmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaileyVMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HaileyVMusic
Image Credits
Black and white photo – Kate Aamatti
White fence at sunset – Mallory Holcomb
Dreamcatcher cover and story photos – Courtney Love
Front porch with guitar and laptop – Kelly Seidel
On stage in black fringe skirt – Julie Fuhrman
Fairy houses – Hailey Verhaalen
Song Suffragettes- unknown
file titled “Performance photo” – unknown
