Mick Hayes says It's Hard to Explain

New York based, singer and song writer Mick Hayes, has released a new song, made into a single then a video to accompany it. The song in question is one called "Hard 2 Explain". That said, Mick just wants to bring out the creativity with his music, both in style, and feeling. So much so, in fact, that Mick himself, took some time to discuss this new song, and how he got started with music, to what lays ahead for his future.


1. When and why did you start playing?

I was 7 years old when I started. Both my parents played guitar, so there were quite a few guitars in the house. I distinctly remember getting in trouble for playing the nicer “put away” ones because they felt better. Then they bought me a Silvertone I could call my own. I started earning money playing guitar and singing at 15 years old and then took a job with a local classic rock band at 19.

2. Which instruments do you play?

Guitar, piano, drums, bass and sing and kind of in that order. I had a Jethro Tull phase my senior year of High School where I started playing flute too. That was pre-internet/YouTube days so learning an instrument cold like that hard. I had a cheap keyboard that I would put on the floor set on the pipe organ setting so that the note would stay constant and not decay. I would hold a note with my big toe and then try to find it on the flute keys.

3. What was the first tune(s) you learned? Can you describe your first instrument or other instruments.

First song I ever learned to play was “Cold Shot” by Stevie Ray Vaughan. My dad showed it to me on his way out the door when I was 7 years old. I remember it better than prom, it’s so funny how our mind works like that. My first electric guitar was a Silvertone 1448 which was the amplifier in the case, single pickup model. I still have it to this day but it’s basically only good for playing slide guitar on.

4. Is your family musical?

Ancestrally speaking yes, it is.

5. Describe your family member's musical interests and abilities.

We are all guitarists and drummers, however I’m the only one performing at a professional level.

6. How would you describe your style, to someone who has never heard your style before.

I have called it GUITAR&B for a few years now. Some folks say it’s not entirely accurate, but for me it worked better than rattling off a bunch of similar artists. I’m not entirely genre specific and I don’t think that music or art should be, but call yourself an artist these days and watch people roll their eyes. LOL! But it’s kind of true, I feel that there’s more to music than fast songs and ballads. And where are all the ballads these days for that matter?

7. Why did you want this project to be called Mick Hayes? Simply named after yourself, what is it about wanting to naming things after yourself, that just grans into people.

Having a band mentality these days is just as hard as it was in the 60’s. I like to remind people that bands like Cream or the Beatles only lasted a few years. Sure, their legacy is lifelong but as a unit they couldn’t weather the storm. I had the pleasure of being the opening act for Deep Purple in 2015, now there’s a band that they refer to in Mark I, II, II, IV form.  There was a time when it was Mick Hayes Band and that was short lived also, mostly because the music industry like many industries is comprised of hills and valleys. It is in those areas where bands break up.

8. Why did you think that "HARD 2 EXPLAIN " was suitable to be made into a single and video?

I thought it represented the direction I wanted to move in. I liked using the synths, the production elements and vocal layering and I also feel that it has a good hook. When it was finished it didn’t feel age specific to me, that was an exciting revelation!

9. Where can we find the "HARD 2 EXPLAIN" single, will it be included on an upcoming release, or does it come from a previous release?

Yes, it will be on the upcoming release and it might actually become the title of the release. For now, it’s available digitally at iTunes.

10. How do you balance your music with other obligations - mate, children, job?

My wife is all I’m responsible to at this moment. She is very supportive and totally “gets it”. She knows me very well and see’s what is inside my heart and what I have to give to the world. She has been there when I have played on stage in front of 25,000 people and for the times when only sold 25 tickets. She encourages me the same no matter what and when it comes time for me to be artistic, write or record she gives me my space and checks in on me form time to time always with a cup of terrific coffee.

11. What else do you have planned for the rest of this year?

To finish writing and recording the CD. Firm up some new business relationships and make new friends.

12. If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career? Would you do anything differently?

That’s a seriously heavy note to end and interview on, LOL! Yes, I would do it all over again and what I would change is to find a way of remembering it all differently. Perhaps taking videos and/or more pictures. I’m always envious when I’m watching documentaries on musicians when they have all this great footage of them NOT on stage, when they’re meeting fans, seeing the world, gassing up in truck stops, bus footage and all the charm of the road! Guess I’ll have to Retrace My Steps.