In Conversation: Gemma Hayes

Having taken the time and space she needed to figure out what she wants to tell the world. Gemma Hayes has plenty to say, with her sixth album Blind Faith diving into themes of longing, empowerment, freedom, and repression. While Hayes’s songwriting is as personal as ever, its abstract nature allows the listener to sink into each song, immersed by tender guitar picking, eerie synths, and swooning cello. This is Hayes's first album in a decade, making it even more impressive. We caught up with her to learn more.

Hi Gemma, how are you?

I’m very well; thank you, Jeremy.

We are very excited to hear a new album is on the way. Tell us a little more about blind faith...

It’s been a long time in the making. I started writing Blind Faith over a two-year period. It started in lockdown, then came out of it as well. The album is an odd mixture of folk, analog synths, and old-school indie. Some songs are sad, and others are less sad! Not sure there is a happy number in there.

Which song are you most excited for people to hear?

The opening song Eye For An Eye is a brave one to start with and one of my favourites. It's otherworldly, dealing with surrender and trust. Big themes for a small song.

And the most nervous?

I’m probably most nervous about the last song, Return of the Daughters. I wanted to write a song that was one chord, so it is more like a drone or a piece of music as opposed to a song. I had a dream that women and girls from Afghanistan rose up and defeated the Taliban. It was a weird dream, unsettling but ultimately triumphant. Trying to capture all of that in a song was a challenge!

You have already released a couple of teaser songs—how typical are they of the album's sound?

Yeah, I tried to release songs from opposite spectrums of the album. Some are tender and quiet, while others are unapologetic.

Your current single is Hardwired—what is the story behind the song?

Hardwired deals with how reliant we are on technology more and more. I feel if bad actors gained control of what we were told in the media, if they were to create fear as a means of control, well, we’d be in serious trouble! Some people have to read between the lines on this one.

For those who haven't heard it yet, what two other songs would you file it between?

Hardwired would fall between my song Let A Good Thing Go and Hanging Around, both from my first album.



Later this year, you will embark on a tour. How will you strike a balance between old and new songs in the shows?

New songs will make up about a third of the set list. I will try to play songs from each album. It’s been really fun playing these shows with my band. We can’t wait to head over to the UK.

You have achieved a lot over your career; what ambitions remain unfulfilled?

I’m forever toying with putting out a country album, a piano album, and a three-piece old school punk album, so I hope to be kept busy over the next few years!

GEMMA HAYES ‘BLIND FAITH’ UK TOUR

Weds September 25 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic Music Room - Tickets

Sun September 29 LEEDS Old Woollen Tickets here