We had a chat with exciting new alt-pop talent Hazel following the release of her thoughtful debut single ‘Scream’
With her debut single ‘Scream’, London-based artist Hazel Rose has immediately established herself as an exciting emerging artist with a great deal of potential and charm, blending her immersive, thoughtful songwriting with her effortlessly captivating vocals.
The track has already won the brand new artist plenty of acclaim, earning streams in the thousands and winning over swathes of fans for the young artist. There is a really cool meld of dark, indie and alternative pop that floods the sound with a sharp cutting edge that feels both instantly accessible and catchy while maintaining a sense of mystique and composure. Themes like mental health, emotional release and acceptance are breached on the new track, as the artist talks candidly about her struggles with anxiety and depression with a deftness and sense of composure that belies her status as a brand new artist. We love this new release, so much that we’ve had a chat with Hazel and found out some more about the exciting artist and her future plans, as the floodgates seem to be opening on her burgeoning career.
Who TF is Hazel?
Hi! I am Hazel, a 24 year old girl based in London originally from Turkey and Denmark born and raised in Switzerland. I am a singer and songwriter who used to work in marketing then changed career overnight… for the better!
How long have you been making music?
I first discovered my passion for music and singing at primary school with the help of my music teacher. When I was 10 I started singing opera, which is not very conventional, but I loved it! I then continued taking part in musicals and started singing lessons with my best friend Margaux when I was 13.
During my teenage years I was doubting myself often and wasn’t sure whether I could pursue music full time. I tried to focus on school and music was my passion on the side. Only during school holidays at music camps and occasionally performing I could feel what it’s like to be a musician. Now it’s the only thing I do and it’s amazing.
Finally, I decided in 2020 to start a masters degree in Music Performance at BIMM university in London after realising that music was the only thing that would really make me happy!
Why do you make music?
I make music firstly for myself because I love it. I also love to create music because it is the best therapy (and way cheaper than a therapist). For instance, going through a break up – write about it, feeling sad, depressed, anxious – write about it, feeling in a good mood – just write about it! Music helps me get over events in my life. I also think that when I make music, and when I create something that someone can relate to, that’s just awesome and I think that’s the best feeling in the world. Scream is the first song I have released but I have been so happy to hear that many people relate to it in some way or another.
What are your biggest influences?
In terms of artists I would say Billie Eilish and Harry Styles are my biggest influences. I adore them! Then in terms of outside influences, definitely my family and my friends and my life here in London. Being away from family and living alone really helps writing lyrics I guess. I like to write about things that surround me and life experiences. I recently wrote a song for my nieces which will come out soon I hope.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
The production of my songs and my music video. I mean this has to be top 1 and 2 for sure. I love when something goes from being an initial idea, and it becomes an actual product, something you can see or hear. It’s like another level of satisfaction. I recently went over my voice memos on my phone and found the first recordings of Scream. Knowing where we started and where we ended up, it’s madness!
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Scream is the soundtrack to the life of anyone who has ever been left out or underappreciated. My general sound is a mix between Billie Eilish, Holly Humberstone, and Lorde. It’s usually quite dark as the topics I write about are also quite dark. It’s very much a vibe.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
I try to live day by day. Although it may seem super cliché, I just feel that when you are starting out like myself it’s great to have dreams but also it’s important to focus on what you can do at the moment and look at what is directly in front of you. This just keeps things easier and more bearable! However, I would be lying to you if I told you I never dreamed of that moment. For me, the ‘I’ve made it’ moment would be to be in front of a crowd, who know my songs and can sing along. I want to build a community of fans who not only listen to you on a platform, or engage on socials but who actually come to see you perform live. I know that it can sound cheesy, but then again, I don’t think there are a lot of artists that would tell you otherwise. I have sung in front of my mirror many times with a makeup brush and said ‘Merci Paris’, ‘Thank you New York’, ‘See you next time London’.
We love your new single ‘Scream’, what more can you tell us about it?
Scream is a song that comes from very deep within. This song is like my baby, because it really encapsulates all the feelings I was having over the past few months before writing it. I was and still am, struggling with anxiety and depression and for a while I kept it for myself. I acted happy in front of my friends and family, giving this happy girl vibe, always ready to have a laugh, go out and have fun. Keeping this all inside was the most difficult thing I ever had to do. Over time I opened up more about the feelings I was having and the hard time I was going through. I probably became less fun as a result. That’s when I realised that some people preferred the fun girl I was before and I felt a little left out! It was a time when I needed reassurance and help, and although most of my friends and mainly my family were so present, I felt like others maybe didn’t care so much to keep contact and include me in things.
Now I am completely open about it and I think it’s super important to talk about it. So yeah that’s the sad story behind it. But honestly I have learned so much about this I am grateful now.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
By the time you are reading this the official music video for Scream will be out. I’m hoping that it will get a similar reaction to the single and will be discovered by some new fans that haven’t heard the song itself yet.
After that… many many many releases. I have stuff brewing in the studio as we speak! We are working hard on finalising the second single which will be released before the end of the year. I can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been working on.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
My amazing boyfriend is my number one fan. Then I would say my family, they have supported me all this time and I couldn’t be more grateful.
