Hallie on Their Self-Discovery and Growth in Creating Queer Pop Anthem “Do It”
[UNPUBLISHED:] For any readers new to your music, can you give a quick introduction and tell us how you got started in your music career?
[HALLIE:] I’ve been performing and writing music since late primary school and I felt that this was something I wanted to do with my life pretty early on. Coming out of high school, I started studying music and performing around Meanjin and Brisbane. I grew up around a lot of Folk music and fell in love with storytelling aspects. As an adult, I love pairing the loud passion of Rock music with storytelling and Pop melodies. I’ve been touring and writing with people around Australia for the last three years and I’m in love with my job!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Your newest single “Do It” is officially out! I saw that you’ve been waiting a while to release “Do It,” so how are you feeling now that it’s finally released?
[HALLIE:] I feel so ecstatic about it! This song means so much to me and is such a timestamp in my journey of self-discovery both in my writing and my personal life. I have never been more sure and proud of something I’ve released before! It feels really good to feel like I’m able to share such a genuine side of myself in this song.
[UNPUBLISHED:] The lyricism of “Do It” spins a relatable tale of the beginning stages of flirting, specifically striking a chord with me as a queer person. What was the process like writing “Do It”?
[HALLIE:] I wrote “Do It” over Zoom with Oscar Sharah when I had COVID, so the writing experience was unlike anything I’d ever done before! Because I had such a small amount of energy to give, it felt like I was relying on my unconscious brain to do a lot of the work, which was really cool. I got to learn a lot about myself when writing this song; specifically with my queerness and the fears and imposter syndrome I had around that! I had just come out of a heteronormative relationship as a pansexual person and it was daunting to start exploring my sexuality again after so long. So, this one goes out to all my bisexual and pansexual queers!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have any favorite lyrics in “Do It?”
[HALLIE:] I love this question! I think maybe the lyrics in the second verse, “Clawing for a label / Reading up on how to be stable / I’d let you in what's it to you?” It feels like a sum-up of the whole meaning of “Do It!”
[UNPUBLISHED:] The video for “Do It” finds you stuck in caution tape, pushing through a light maze, and finally pushing yourself to get the girl at the end. Can you tell us more about the thought process behind the video and what it was like to create it?
[HALLIE:] This video is so special to me because it’s the first video I wrote, produced, and directed myself! I had never felt so clear about the vision and message I needed to portray in a video before. I wanted it to feel like there were all these obstacles I needed to overcome. In the song’s case, the obstacles represent the feelings of putting yourself out there again and the queer imposter syndrome, before I finally got to be with the girl. I worked with the most incredible woman/AFAB team who stuck it out in the 34-degree heat (Celcius) of Queensland. They all killed it, I’m so grateful for the experience!
[UNPUBLISHED:] You’ve toured with some incredible artists, such as Mallrat and Spacey Jane. What is touring like for you, and do you have more shows planned in the future?
[HALLIE:] Generally, I love touring! I love experiencing new places and people and forming connections with the other artists I get to tour with. It’s such a unique work structure. It’s super tiring and testing but it’s usually fulfilling and inspiring, as well! And yes! I’m going on tour through Australia over September and October and I’m so excited!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Out of curiosity, what do you have on repeat lately? It doesn’t have to be your music.
[HALLIE:] Honestly, I am hitting my music and demos a lot just because I am so pumped to release them! But other than that, I am in love with beabadoobee’s new album Beatopia and have been listening to a lot of Maude Latour too!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Outside of your music career, what do you like to do for fun?
[HALLIE:] I like to put together outfits, cook, journal, and I LOVE a good dance session. I hang out with my friends a lot and like to practice my acting (because I would love to venture into that eventually)!
[UNPUBLISHED:] With “Do It” now out in the world, what can fans expect next?
[HALLIE:] They can expect more music very very soon…… EEEEP!
[UNPUBLISHED:] As you’ve grown and changed throughout your music career thus far, is there any advice you wish you had been given when you first started?
[HALLIE:] The most important thing is that you need to love and enjoy your music first. If it’s genuine and exciting to you, listeners will feel that and the connection you make with your fans will grow deeper.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Is there anything else you want the reader to know?
[HALLIE:] “Do It” is a success story, in the end, ahah- After getting out of isolation, I saw this girl when I was out one night and in my head was singing, “I dare you, do it, Hallie!!” I finally worked up the courage to invite her back to my place! So this song works, sing it in your head if you need a push!
