A Smile Heard Round the World.
Calgary Artist Hayden McHugh Brings Joy with New Song 'Smile'
Photo by Eluvier Acosta, Styled by Priceless Viceless Wardrobe Styling
He's tackled things 'Alone' and was ready to 'Take On' dragging a piano throughout the city of Calgary to create a very clever music video. Now emerging artist Hayden McHugh is back with energy, positivity and glee in a single filled with life to put 'Smile' on all our faces. With passion in abundance, we dove in to find out more about this musical marvel!
Hi Hayden! You’ve got a real knack for positive music and clever music videos. And ‘Smile’ does not disappoint. But for those unfamiliar with Hayden McHugh the budding musical artist let’s give the readers a little bit of background on you.
Tell us about your musical background. Who’s the man behind the music?
Hayden McHugh is a 23 year performer, songwriter and producer! I have been performing since I was a little kid and taking lessons in piano and dance, and began songwriting really early at 12. Most of those songs were pretty rough, but everyone's gotta start somewhere right??
‘Smile’ is incredibly infectious and full of life. It has that same good feeling vibe you find in songs like Pharrell’s ‘Happy’ or Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’. How did the song come about for you and how long has this project been in the works?
I've been working on this one for a while now; I wrote and produced the song to the best of my ability last year actually, and then brought it to a collaborator, in this case Thomas Lewis, who assisted me in finishing up the production. The song came about right after I had had a confrontation with someone about how they felt like we should take a break. I understood and was respectful, but they sort of made it about how I wasn't doing enough. I realized that it wasn't wasn't about me, but that this person was simply insecure. I had the melody already set up and some ideas with this sort of vibe in mind, but the way it pieced together as a dance-pop about a break-up was interesting.
I love how that infectious energy in the song equally carries into the video. You’re having so much fun and the video is filled with joy. What was the filming process like? Was the concept yours?
The concept was a combination of ideas between myself and the videographer, Daniel Nobre. I wanted to showcase what the song was about (going to see someone who makes you smile), and I love to showcase my home city of Calgary.
The process is fun, I love to do stuff all in one day and then come back if need be, but in this case we got it all! It's a lot of walking, and lunch breaks, and reapplying sunscreen and meeting up with volunteers! I like to be the director and manager of it all, so I end up being ridiculously busy on set.
Hi Hayden! You’ve got a real knack for positive music and clever music videos. And ‘Smile’ does not disappoint. But for those unfamiliar with Hayden McHugh the budding musical artist let’s give the readers a little bit of background on you.
Tell us about your musical background. Who’s the man behind the music?
Hayden McHugh is a 23 year performer, songwriter and producer! I have been performing since I was a little kid and taking lessons in piano and dance, and began songwriting really early at 12. Most of those songs were pretty rough, but everyone's gotta start somewhere right??
‘Smile’ is incredibly infectious and full of life. It has that same good feeling vibe you find in songs like Pharrell’s ‘Happy’ or Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’. How did the song come about for you and how long has this project been in the works?
I've been working on this one for a while now; I wrote and produced the song to the best of my ability last year actually, and then brought it to a collaborator, in this case Thomas Lewis, who assisted me in finishing up the production. The song came about right after I had had a confrontation with someone about how they felt like we should take a break. I understood and was respectful, but they sort of made it about how I wasn't doing enough. I realized that it wasn't wasn't about me, but that this person was simply insecure. I had the melody already set up and some ideas with this sort of vibe in mind, but the way it pieced together as a dance-pop about a break-up was interesting.
I love how that infectious energy in the song equally carries into the video. You’re having so much fun and the video is filled with joy. What was the filming process like? Was the concept yours?
The concept was a combination of ideas between myself and the videographer, Daniel Nobre. I wanted to showcase what the song was about (going to see someone who makes you smile), and I love to showcase my home city of Calgary.
The process is fun, I love to do stuff all in one day and then come back if need be, but in this case we got it all! It's a lot of walking, and lunch breaks, and reapplying sunscreen and meeting up with volunteers! I like to be the director and manager of it all, so I end up being ridiculously busy on set.
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Photo by Eluvier Acosta, Styled by Priceless Viceless Wardrobe Styling
Your previous video for ‘Take You’ is also an upbeat adventure. It had you carting an upright piano all over the city playing in various places. And there’s some significant dance choreography involved. How challenging was that video?
That video was extremely challenging!! I had an ex boyfriend of mine carry the piano around the city with me in a uhaul. We actually filmed 13 locations, but only 4 or 5 made it into the video. It was so warm out that day, and a city-wide festival was taking place later in the evening (which was the source of our fireworks), so it consisted mostly of me reminding everyone to drink water!
I love choreography, so that was a lot of fun. However, the choreography was a little more challenging than I was prepared for because Sean Butler, the choreographer, is a hip-hop dancer! I felt that it suited the vibe of the song more, but my experience is more in musical theater style so I was challenged on set.
Do you find making videos easy? You seem very comfortable in front of the camera.
I don't mind it - I like videos a lot more than photos because the movement allows for me to express myself fully. In photos I feel like I'm always captured at the most awkward and out of whack moments.
‘Smile’ has been out as a single before the video release. How has the reception been so far? What’s surprised you the most?
So far, it has been amazing!! The biggest surprise is the reaction from people in the UK and Germany! I love that I can see my fans in places that I've performed listening to my tunes, but it's even cooler to see places I've never been streaming my song!!
Is ‘Smile’ the start of a larger collection of music to come? Is there a plan for what comes next?
I can't say much but prepare for a pile of singles to come out over the next year or so. I'm working on creating a ton of new music, and am working on connecting for collaborations with more artists as well!!
Living in Calgary, how large is the LGBTQ music community? Is there a strong sense of support among artists?
I have been finding that the Calgary queer scene is extremely supportive of artists. I've got the opportunity to perform out of variety of shows from Queer cabarets to drag shows and it feels good to know that people are enjoying my music no matter where I end up performing. The community is small but tight knit, and it's growing. I think what is really cool that's starting to happen is drag artists are starting to incorporate live music into their performances and that's really stepping the "arts game" up in Calgary.
When sitting down to write where do you draw inspiration from? I’ll assume the piano figures heavily into your writing process.
I usually draw inspiration from a variety of places; often internal feelings and frustrations or good feelings, but also from other people as well. I love to create clear visuals in my music, so I'm always listening to how other people tell their stories and create those visions in your head when you're listening, and try to emulate that in my own writing.
Yes, the piano is used heavily for me in the song writing process. However I actually find that I do the song writing and the production almost side-by-side, so I'm not often playing with piano sounds come up but a variety of bells and whistles.
That video was extremely challenging!! I had an ex boyfriend of mine carry the piano around the city with me in a uhaul. We actually filmed 13 locations, but only 4 or 5 made it into the video. It was so warm out that day, and a city-wide festival was taking place later in the evening (which was the source of our fireworks), so it consisted mostly of me reminding everyone to drink water!
I love choreography, so that was a lot of fun. However, the choreography was a little more challenging than I was prepared for because Sean Butler, the choreographer, is a hip-hop dancer! I felt that it suited the vibe of the song more, but my experience is more in musical theater style so I was challenged on set.
Do you find making videos easy? You seem very comfortable in front of the camera.
I don't mind it - I like videos a lot more than photos because the movement allows for me to express myself fully. In photos I feel like I'm always captured at the most awkward and out of whack moments.
‘Smile’ has been out as a single before the video release. How has the reception been so far? What’s surprised you the most?
So far, it has been amazing!! The biggest surprise is the reaction from people in the UK and Germany! I love that I can see my fans in places that I've performed listening to my tunes, but it's even cooler to see places I've never been streaming my song!!
Is ‘Smile’ the start of a larger collection of music to come? Is there a plan for what comes next?
I can't say much but prepare for a pile of singles to come out over the next year or so. I'm working on creating a ton of new music, and am working on connecting for collaborations with more artists as well!!
Living in Calgary, how large is the LGBTQ music community? Is there a strong sense of support among artists?
I have been finding that the Calgary queer scene is extremely supportive of artists. I've got the opportunity to perform out of variety of shows from Queer cabarets to drag shows and it feels good to know that people are enjoying my music no matter where I end up performing. The community is small but tight knit, and it's growing. I think what is really cool that's starting to happen is drag artists are starting to incorporate live music into their performances and that's really stepping the "arts game" up in Calgary.
When sitting down to write where do you draw inspiration from? I’ll assume the piano figures heavily into your writing process.
I usually draw inspiration from a variety of places; often internal feelings and frustrations or good feelings, but also from other people as well. I love to create clear visuals in my music, so I'm always listening to how other people tell their stories and create those visions in your head when you're listening, and try to emulate that in my own writing.
Yes, the piano is used heavily for me in the song writing process. However I actually find that I do the song writing and the production almost side-by-side, so I'm not often playing with piano sounds come up but a variety of bells and whistles.
Photo by Eluvier Acosta, Styled by Priceless Viceless Wardrobe Styling
You seem to be an artist who thrives on live performance. You were able to play Calgary Pride this year. What was that experience like?
The experience was AMAZING! I was so excited to be able to come and do the Take You music video live - the dancers did a fantastic job, the sweater reveal worked out great and the confetti topped it off perfectly. I was so glad to have caught it on video so that I can share that amazing moment with the rest of the internet!
The pride board said it was their largest pride ever; and by the size of that crowd, I'd believe it!
Do you have any live dates lined up to promote ‘Smile’?
I will be performing in a show on Vancouver Island called HOMO: a queer cabaret on December 6th. There's also some talks of some full half-hour sets at Prides like Calgary again this year so watch out for that!
As an independent and out LGBTQ artist what has the industry support been like for you?
It's really great - people are really supportive and my fans let me be whoever I wanna be and that's the most important. It allows me to teach others that who might not know it's okay to be them yet.
Are there LGBTQ artists you’re listening to? Who’s currently on your playlist?
Oh absolutely! L Devine is catching me with her sweet tunes, and she used a sample from Kim Carnes' "Betty Davis Eyes" in her new song Peachy Keen and it's simply to DIE for! I'm also crazy about Dorian Electra, Jordy, Jesse Saint John, and Years and Years!!
Collaborations are becoming increasingly popular among artists. Who would be top on your list of artists you’d like to collaborate with?
So many!! You talk about so many I'd love you work with; Jordy, MUNA and Kim Petras would be top picks. I'd also love to work with Clean Bandit, as they are an incredibly talented and entertaining group of writers and composers. Julia Michaels, Jocelyn Alice, Jon Bellion and Zedd to name a few more!
When you’re not creating super fun music and videos, what do you get up to?
I am at home, I struggle to take care of my extensive plant collection. I am also out in the mountains, or going dancing with my friends! I love to dance!
Finally, what’s one last thing you’d like readers to know about you?
That it only takes a second to smile!!
The experience was AMAZING! I was so excited to be able to come and do the Take You music video live - the dancers did a fantastic job, the sweater reveal worked out great and the confetti topped it off perfectly. I was so glad to have caught it on video so that I can share that amazing moment with the rest of the internet!
The pride board said it was their largest pride ever; and by the size of that crowd, I'd believe it!
Do you have any live dates lined up to promote ‘Smile’?
I will be performing in a show on Vancouver Island called HOMO: a queer cabaret on December 6th. There's also some talks of some full half-hour sets at Prides like Calgary again this year so watch out for that!
As an independent and out LGBTQ artist what has the industry support been like for you?
It's really great - people are really supportive and my fans let me be whoever I wanna be and that's the most important. It allows me to teach others that who might not know it's okay to be them yet.
Are there LGBTQ artists you’re listening to? Who’s currently on your playlist?
Oh absolutely! L Devine is catching me with her sweet tunes, and she used a sample from Kim Carnes' "Betty Davis Eyes" in her new song Peachy Keen and it's simply to DIE for! I'm also crazy about Dorian Electra, Jordy, Jesse Saint John, and Years and Years!!
Collaborations are becoming increasingly popular among artists. Who would be top on your list of artists you’d like to collaborate with?
So many!! You talk about so many I'd love you work with; Jordy, MUNA and Kim Petras would be top picks. I'd also love to work with Clean Bandit, as they are an incredibly talented and entertaining group of writers and composers. Julia Michaels, Jocelyn Alice, Jon Bellion and Zedd to name a few more!
When you’re not creating super fun music and videos, what do you get up to?
I am at home, I struggle to take care of my extensive plant collection. I am also out in the mountains, or going dancing with my friends! I love to dance!
Finally, what’s one last thing you’d like readers to know about you?
That it only takes a second to smile!!
Music Video Debut.
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