Its her warm and breathtaking blues voice together with impressive guitar skills and relatable stage presence, as well as achingly honest song writing that makes each audience member feel like they are the only people in the room to hear Hailey Calvert's stories.

It’s the same song writing style that saw Hailey take out the blues category in the 2015 International Songwriting Competition. With over 18,000 entries from 20 countries, it was a huge deal to be a winner alongside fellow Australians in other categories including Meg Mac and Birds of Tokyo. Two EP’s, one album and countless charismatic live shows into her career, Hailey Calvert is an independent performer showing no signs of slowing down.

The small Western Australian town she grew up in is a far cry from the places Hailey’s music has taken her. From tours in Australia supporting Stu Larsen, to performing all over Ireland, London and New York, a highlight was a show at the famous NYC venue The Bitter End, a place that has hosted performances from the likes of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell among many others. Hailey has also graced the stages of many of Australia’s favourite festivals including Woodford Folk Festival (three times), Queenscliff Music Festival, Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival (four times) and Palm Creek Folk Festival (twice).

2015 was a busy year for Calvert; her series of cover videos released onto YouTube were loved by old and new fans alike and shared all over the internet. Her version of ‘Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys quickly racked up 25,000 views after it impressed British musician Passenger so much he shared it with his 3 million Facebook followers. Hailey is also known for her official film clips; unique, interesting ideas pulled off on tiny budgets. From filming in front of Scottish castles to the tattoos featured in her ‘This Old Tree’ remix video, the stand out would have to be the clip for ‘An Awakened Dreamer’; a celebration of Queensland’s hard-working independent musicians shot in several beautiful locations in her hometown of Brisbane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlA5K_IfmEg

 

Inspired by the thoughts and worries she was waking up with at 3am, Hailey Calvert’s 2016 fourth CD release ‘In the Hour of the Wolf’ is a cinematic sounding affair and Hailey’s most grown up songs to date. She stretches her legs in her new album with producer Brett Shaw playing around in genres making the album a darker, grander affair than her previous releases.  With the album earning rave reviews, Hailey is an independent performer making a lasting impression.

It always comes back to that voice; a breathtaking cross between Eva Cassidy and devilish deep blues. Hailey has the element of surprise as it’s never the voice people think will come out of her.