Shift Your Focus To Hallie
Rising queer indie-pop artist Hallie (they/she) has dropped their newest single ‘Shift The Focus’, the song showcasing Hallie's innate pop instincts yet again and leaves the listener wanting more. ‘Shift The Focus’ comes from Hallie’s debut EP ‘This Is Love’ which has also just recently been released. While Hallie catches her breath after a busy few weeks, we took the opportunity to talk ask Hallie about the new music, touring with Teenage Dad in March and equality & acceptance in Australia.
How do you describe your sound for those who haven’t heard your music before? How do you label your music?
I would say my sound is Pop Rock, butI like to acknowledge the storytelling songwriting from my folk roots!! I grew up on Taylor Swift and Joni Mitchell so if you listen real carefully, you might just hear a country twang.
Hallie, you have just released your latest track ‘Shift The Focus’. Tell us about your new song. What does the song mean to you?
‘Shift the Focus’ is about being present and finding acceptance in things that could kind of freak you out. My ex and I had this really honest conversation where we spoke about how we felt there wasn’t much left to learn from each other and it was inevitable that this will end at some point, but that was okay because we were in love at that moment and wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. This song reframed a lot of my thinking around romance and what it means to love, so it’s really special to me!
“We took a wrong turn at some point and came to a sign that said ‘road ends’ and it was the most perfect synchronicity!”
‘Shift The Focus’ has an accompanying video. Who came up with the concept for the visual piece? Werethere any memorable moments during the making of it?
My manager, Summer King, directed and conceptualised this video. We were discussing the line ‘on a trip to nowhere’ and it felt like the concept had to be me on a trip to nowhere; 2000’s style in a blue convertible of course! The shoot day was the most chill yet hectic day; it was what felt like35 degrees (celcius) one minute and then it just started bucketing down rain the next. All the emotions of the song I guess! We also didn’t know how the video was going to end if I’m honest because how did we stop it when the trip was to nowhere? We took a wrong turn at some point and came to a sign that said ‘road ends’ and it was the most perfect synchronicity!
‘Shift The Focus’ is the third track from your EP ‘This Is Love’ which has also just been released. What can fans expect from the new release?
A lot of themes around love, obviously, but more so in the way of reframing love and finding what love looks like for me individually. Being queer and open and only really having representation of heteronormative, and often toxic, love, it’s been a big journey understanding what love looks like for me and that there are no guidelines around it. It’s just as daunting as it is empowering. I think every song on the EP touches on a certain moment in time where I’m unpacking that about myself.
You worked with Oscar Sharah on both the new single as well as the EP, what was it about working with Oscar that first time that made you want to continue the relationship for the rest of the EP?
Working with Oscar was the absolute best!!!!! I felt so creatively understood instantly and I felt like he brought the best out of me. I also just get to giggle my head off all day when working with him and we both love sushi ,so that’s another win. Oscar is just incredible, co-producing and writing the EP with him was an experience I’ll never forget.
“It’s about finding healthy, queer love in a way that works for me!!”
Is there a favourite track or a song from the EP that is a standout for you personally? If so what makes this track so special?
My favourite song on the EP changes every day haha but today, it is ‘Labelless’. It’s the kind of happy ending to the EP; the moment of reflection to be like oh okay I have learnt and grown so much. It’s about finding healthy, queer love in a way that works for me!! It was such an exciting moment and the song is so pretty and I just love it!
Hallie, you’re hitting the road next month (March) to support Teenage Dad on their Australian Tour. Will this be the first-time fans will be able to get a taste of ‘This Is Love’ live?
I’ve been playing the songs for a while actually but I’m very excited to be able to sing them with everyone!! It’s always such an exciting moment when you realise other people know the words and have been listening to your songs-that’s when it sinks in for me. I’m so excited for this tour!!
Are there plans for a solo tour in support of the EP this year?
Nothing set in stone just yet! If I’m honest, I need a bit of a break; but definitely at some point this year!
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
Beabadoobee, Taylor Swift, Holly Humberstone, Joni Mitchell and my most recent influence, Maude Latour!
“I started performing my original songs at all the local Meanjin/Brisbane venues I could!”
How did you get your start in music?
I have always loved music and writing songs, my mum taught me guitar at 12 and that made writing music much more consistent! I performed a lot through high school and then when I left school I started performing my original songs at all the local Meanjin/Brisbane venues I could! I met my manager in 2018 and that’s when the ball really started rolling.
Three of your songs, ‘Do it’, ‘Babysitter’ & ‘Sympathy’ , have all been given high rotation by artist launching radio station Triple J, do you think their support has made the difference in establishing Hallie into the main stream psyche?
It helps to have that support for sure. I definitely don’t want to rely on it and enjoy having my fan base get to know me on a personal level, not as someone associated with another platform, but I really appreciate the support I’ve received thus far!
How did you feel that very first time you heard one of your songs on the radio? Do you remember where you were or what you were doing at the time?
I remember having my first premiere on triple J and sitting in my car with my family waiting and being so nervous! It was so exciting, definitely a great moment.
“I started to discuss my queerness in my music more, it became really natural to talk about it and now I feel like by being open it allows others to be open”
You identify proudly as a queer artist, has this always been the case? Was it ever a hard decision to include your sexuality in your label?
I actually did have this conversation with my manager because I was fearful of becoming a token queer artist and not just a person who makes music and happens to be queer. I think because I started to discuss my queerness in my music more, it became really natural to talk about it and now I feel like by being open it allows others to be open, so it’s a joy discussing it!
Is Australia as a whole becoming better at equality and inclusion for all artists regardless of how they identify?
I think definitely for sure; and it’s really exciting to see! As a non-binary queer person, seeing that representation become more and more prominent makes me feel so seen, as I know it would for so many people!
Who in your crew or team deserves a shoutout but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
Everyone does!! My team works so hard, I am obsessed with all of them! Summer King, my manager and friend, deserves a massive one! It’s been us tackling this journey together and I have never known support and creative passion like hers. I could send her a shitty 30 second voice memo of a song and she’ll see the whole vision as I do. I feel so seen by her and having another queer woman/AFAB to work with is such a priviledge. She is my biggest fan, a creative genius, and a crazy hard worker. I could not do any of this without her!
Where would you like to be in a year's time and five years down the road? What do you hope you have achieved?
In 5 years I hope to have toured overseas, be playing festivals and have released my debut album! I hope to have a loving and supportive fanbase too; I feel it growing and blossoming now, so I can’t wait to see what it becomes!
HALLIE LIVE DATES
Saturday 4th March – The Zoo, Brisbane [2 x shows – All Ages + 18+]*
Friday 10th March – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda*
Saturday 11th March – Corner Hotel, Melbourne [2 x shows – All Ages + 18+]*
Saturday 18th March – Metro Theatre, Sydney [LIC/AA]*
Sunday 19th March – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney*
*supporting Teenage Dads with Noah Dillon
This Is Love by Hallie is out now
Stream / buy it HERE
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘SHIFT THE FOCUS’
Interview by Michelle Symes
February 2023