Quick Q and A with Hayley Reardon
 by Kathy S-B  ·  13 January 2011

We first became acquainted with Hayley Reardon when beloved Marblehead musician, Jeanie Stahl, brought her to the me&thee two years ago and asked Bill Staines and some of our volunteers to listen to her sing her songs after the concert. We were all amazed at her blossoming talent and asked her to take part in our annual showcase that spring. We’ve gotten to know Hayley since then and are thrilled to have her open for the Angel Band.

Take a moment and check out Hayley’s website. Take a look at this video that gives you a glimpse of who Hayley is and what her music is all about.

Do you recall what prompted you to pick up a guitar in the first place?

I had always loved music and we always had a guitar in the house so one summer I was bored and decided to pick it up. I asked my dad to show me a few chords and spent the rest of that summer writing as many songs as I could.

Who were your early role models in the music business?

I remember when Taylor Swift’s first single came out and I became completely obsessed with her and the idea that someone so young could be out writing and performing their own music. She was a big inspiration for me back then. Another artist that I still look up to is Christofer Drew of NeverShoutNever, from the start, I was taken by his writing style and originality.

Since becoming active in the Boston music scene, have you discovered some new musical influences?

Being a part of the Boston music scene has introduced me to so many new influences. I really look up to songwriters like Lori McKenna, Antje Duvekot, and especially Bob Dylan. I stay up late watching Bob Dylan documentaries because everything about him and his music fascinates me. Even though he’s not from New England, I associate him with the early Cambridge folk scene.

Your song about bullying, “Stand Together,” has made an impact on many people, especially kids your age. Are kids feeling more empowered to speak up and against bullying when they witness it in their everyday lives?

The reaction I’ve been getting about my two bullying songs (“Stand Together” and “She’s Falling”) has been much more positive than I imagined. I was lucky enough to work with PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention to come up with questions and classroom discussions to go along with the songs. Then in October as a part of their National Bullying Prevention month, the music and discussion questions were sent out to schools across the country as part of a classroom tool kit. I’m still receiving emails and messages from kids telling me how they relate to the song... even a few from England and Germany. Every single one of them have been the kind of people I’d want to be friends with and just being able to talk and connect with them is so amazing.

Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now?

I ask myself this question all the time but I think we’re just gonna have to wait and see. Wherever my life takes me I want music to be a big part of it.