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We gravitate towards music for a plethora of reasons; relatable lyrics, addicting melodies, and the visual world an artist builds around it. When I discovered the profound singer-songwriter that is Hailey Picardi, I was immediately taken by the stunning cover art for her first EP, scars to prove it. From a single glance, I understood the world in which her words paint the picture. The dichotomy of comfortability and chaos her music thrives within is perfectly captured in hues of deep pink and sunset orange, as she looks out over a vast ocean of intimidating possibilities. I jumped at the chance to chat with the voice behind the music and face on what is easily one of my favorite covers of the year thus far: 

OnesToWatch: This is your first EP ever. How did it feel to put together a body of work for the first time?

Hailey Picardi: It was amazing. I finally feel like I can summarize this stage of my life and patterns that I’ve faced.

What was your process? 

For the past year, I wrote songs and worked with my producer to find my sound. We looked at the songs and asked, ‘Which ones do we want to put out to the world right now?’, and found a through line. 

How many songs were there to choose from?

There were maybe 15 demos, but I have tons of songs written in my notes that we never fully recorded.

What is it about an idea that makes you want to cut a demo?

What makes me feel super connected to a song is whether the overall topic is something I can think of in the snap of a finger. When I think of the titles of these songs, I can wrap my head around what each song is about and swallow the concept in a single thought. The ones that really stick with me are the ones that I holistically connect to, with an overarching concept. 

I noticed that about the titles. Is that a natural way for you to write?

I love that you picked up on this because I definitely am a title first writer. A hooky and visual title enhances my love for a song by a 1000000%. We’ve all heard the term “double edged sword” or “hide and seek.” They’re phrases we’ve heard throughout our lives, which allows us to feel an aspect of familiarity. 

How did you decide on “chaotic” being the first song on the EP? 

Initially I wanted it to be last on the EP because it felt like me looking back at all of the situations discussed in the songs. Then I realized, sonically, that it just feels like the opening track. 

These songs teach so many lessons, making the EP function almost as a guidebook to learning about love. Are there any albums that have done that for you?

I love that question. I mean, the classic answer is Taylor Swift. She's been through so many different experiences. Actually, I wrote “double edged sword” because I couldn't find a song for that when I was in the situation. So, I made it myself. 

We have to talk about the artwork. It's one of my favorite covers of the year. It’s so striking and unique. How did you achieve that?

Thank you so much. That means so much to me. I didn't want to post or show any photos of the behind the scenes of it because I don’t want people’s imagination to be destroyed. I will say, we had the room set up and the room was painted to the colors. We planned on having me hover over the water, but after seeing the shot of me looking out into the distance I knew it was the one. I love imaginative artwork because the whole point of my music – and what I want it to make people feel – is that they're experiencing something that doesn't belong to this world. You can't really go out and find it. 

I love that it's in your bedroom too. 

The bedroom represents comfortability. But then I’m like, ‘Do I want chaos actually?’ 

What do the colors represent?

I have synesthesia. When I hear a song, 99% of the time I have a color associated with it. “chaotic” always gave me pink. I felt like that had to represent the entire project because without that song…I couldn't imagine it any other way. 

Your melodies are so strong, how do you write them into the songs?

It depends! I don't always start with a melody. I believe that when you have a really strong concept and you want to fit one of those phrases into a song, chances are God or the world has already carved out that melody. I see it that way. When I came up with “double edged sword,” I felt the rhythm and melody and then everything else fell into place. Sometimes I can start with melody and then other times like the world is like, ‘No, I got you. Start with the concept and we'll make it work.’

“car crash” sounds more folk-inspired than the other songs on the EP. Can you speak to the production on that one?

I'm really glad I did it that way because I'm such a production girl. I posted it on TikTok and got tons of comments asking for me to release it the exact same way. I felt like I was pushed, in a good way, to keep it raw and guitar focused. I really love that I was put in that position because I don't know if I would have made the same song if I wasn't. I think it was how it's meant to be. 

It’s refreshing to hear you talk about using TikTok in a positive way because I can tell it’s such a big part of your artistry, posting there and connecting with people. I speak with a lot of artists who hate the pressure of trying to get their music noticed on TikTok. Can you speak more on using social media in a productive way?

That's super interesting. I completely get that perspective and I often think if I wasn't a singer, I might not have social media. The algorithm is an echo chamber. Whatever you decide to interact with, like and save is what TikTok is gonna feed you more of. To make it a healthy place, I have to be super intentional with the way I interact. My fan base right now is a very healthy, inviting home. I don't think it'll always feel that way. Every single artist goes through waves of hate. When I do, I'll learn how to handle it.

You have such a supportive community that even if the bad things did come, you can stick with your people.

Exactly. I try to not put my validation in the hands of the world because there is no such person that I've ever looked up to that hasn't faced hate and that hasn't been hated. The more love you get, the more hate you get. I really try to focus on the circle of people in my life, my friends and God. They remind me who I am and when people don't agree, it's like, ‘Well, I know. So it's okay.’ 

It’s so nice to hear that perspective. It’s such a – pun intended – double edged sword for artists. 

It's the biggest double edged sword. I wouldn't have anything without social media and I have to love it for that reason. It's such an amazing place when you find the right corners of it. But, it's also the most destructive place. 

I love ending with “teach you to love me.” Now knowing you originally had “chaotic” as the EP closer, how did you switch them? 

Given the person I am, I'm very intentional and calculated when it comes to art and the way that I want to share it with the world. I usually would gravitate towards telling a story with each song going into the next. When I get to a bigger stage, I can absolutely do that. But for right now, I went based on feeling and vibe. “teach you to love me” was a great ending for that reason.

There are so many lessons in these songs, but this one is the main lesson. You can’t teach anyone to love you. 

It does capture the whole EP. I went through all of these things and my conclusion is that I can't teach someone or force someone to do something that they don't want to do. 

It's a really healthy thing to be putting out there, for young women especially. I can imagine a teenage girl listening to this and learning so much. 

A lot of these songs are suffering. I'm talking about pain. But what I've realized is, when people say, “Hailey, your music heals me,” it’s because healing is feeling. These songs bring emotions to the surface and make people feel things that they didn't know they still felt. I think that is really healing in itself. 

I loved the “ugh” at the end of “teach you to love me.”

I'm so glad you noticed that. I really love it too because it feels so human. 

Was that in the take and you just decided to keep it in?

Yes! I love my producer because he works like that. In the beginning of “chaotic,” we kept a little take of me talking. It just feels super raw.

And in “double edged sword”, there’s that stripped back chorus. 

That's actually a voice note. It was totally his [Joey Spurgeon’s] idea. He just put his phone out as we were recording.

Who is your OneToWatch?

Gigi Perez. I see her influence on so many new artists on TikTok writing songs. A guitar is such a worldly, man-made instrument and I really appreciate when an artist can, with just a guitar, make me feel like I'm in another universe. “Sailor Song” does that for me. Her voice, the range, the cadence that it sits into, it's what brings that song to life. 

Listen to ‘scars to prove it’ below: