Hailey Hermida has been singing as long as she can remember. Born into a music loving family, this young singer/songwriter enjoys expressing herself through her songs, but really is energized by a live performance. Recently, Hailey took time out of the studio for an interview about her music and the fun YouTube channel she has with her family.
You are a singer/ songwriter. How did you get started singing?
I started this journey when I was just 5 years old. My family has always loved music. In fact, my grandma and my dad love singing at our parties, and as soon as I could, I started to sing with them too. When we moved to Los Angeles, I began taking singing and piano lessons. And as I grew older, I began to write my own songs and come up with melodies and tunes for them.
One thing I absolutely LOVE is performing in front of a live audience. I feel so energized and like I could stay on stage forever.
What do you love about music?
I love how universal music is, and how it can capture and express any emotion. It’s a beautiful way to share feelings and experiences, and the combination of instruments and beats keeps it fun and interesting.
How do you come up with ideas for your music?
I find inspiration from a variety of artists, whether it’s Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Queen, or rappers like Nicki Minaj. But inspiration can come from anywhere. Sometimes, a unique sound catches my attention, like when I heard my neighbor’s car beep while walking with a friend. We found it hilarious, so I recorded it and pitched it up to use as a hi-hat in one of my songs. It’s about finding inspiration in the world around me.
What do you love about performing live?
I love everything about performing live. The anticipation, the teamwork with the band, the energy, it’s all such an amazing feeling. It’s especially fun if you’re singing a song that’s well known and the audience knows the lyrics and starts singing along. Performing live is definitely one of my favorite things to do.
Photo Credit: Jorchual Gregory Vargas JGV Studios.
How did your YouTube channel come about?
I have a YouTube channel with my family and it started when my sister began recording random, funny moments from our daily lives. There was this one time when I was just playing around with my mom, and I picked her up (as one does) lol. Unfortunately, in the midst of playing around, I accidentally bumped her head against the fridge. My sister happened to catch that exact moment on camera, including my immediate panic and concern. At first, we were hesitant about sharing the video because I genuinely felt bad about what happened. But thankfully, my mom was okay and looking back, it turned out to be quite hilarious. We decided to post it, and it became one of our most memorable and funny videos. Since then, we’ve continued to upload videos that showcase the humor and relatability of our family dynamic. We aim to create content that brings joy and laughter.
How do you come up with ideas for your YouTube channel?
Ideas for our YouTube channel are driven by the funny moments that spontaneously unfold in our everyday lives. My dad and I have this natural ability to quickly identify and amplify the humor in any situation. We’re always brainstorming and calling out the funny side of things. But we couldn’t do it without the special touch that my mom brings to the table. She has this incredible knack for knowing just the right sound effect or cuts that can help elevate our content. We’re all constantly on the lookout for those genuine, humorous moments, and thanks to my sister’s recording skills, we can capture them and share them with our community. Our goal is to embrace the humor that surrounds us in our daily lives and create content that our audience can relate to and find entertaining.
You go to a lot of red-carpet events. What has been your favorite event so far?
If I had to choose, I’d say my favorite event so far has been Party at the Pier in Santa Monica. It was an amazing occasion that supported the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. It felt great to see so many people coming together for such an important cause. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, and knowing that it would make a direct impact on the lives of children in need was so special and fulfilling.
How important do you think networking is to building a career?
I think networking is very important. Through networking, you can find collaborations, opportunities to showcase your talent, and a supportive community. It goes beyond career opportunities. You can also find a community of like-minded people going through the same things.
Are there any upcoming projects you can share with our readers?
Absolutely! I’m really excited about releasing an EP later this Fall. I believe there will be around 9 tracks and all the songs will be about events that have happened in my life or to the people I know around me. It is a project very close to me and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Photo Credit: Jorchual Gregory Vargas JGV Studios.
