Exron Exclusive Interview: HALIENE

Since her entrance into the electronic music world, HALIENE’s captivating voice has ensured her legacy in the world of trance and dubstep. Her lyrics are both deep and emotional, asking the listener to turn inward and heal alongside the artist. Her angelic voice overlays beautifully produced rhythms to create an ethereal and transformative experience for listeners.

HALIENE’s talent is proven by the countless collaborations she has had with legends of the EDM world including Excision, Seven Lions, Markus Schulz, Gareth Emery, Armin van Buuren, and Illenium. Coming off of her recent original release “Glass Heart”, Exron had the chance to interview HALIENE and learn more about her inspiration, life during the pandemic, and future plans. Read the full interview below! 

Exron Music: What got you into electronic music? What have you found to be your biggest inspirations when
writing songs?

HALIENE: I became HALIENE in early 2015 when I felt it was time for a change in my music. I had previously released music under my legal name, but it was a totally different vibe and sound. I fell in love with electronic music in 2014 and having never felt at home in “pop” and record labels never knowing what to do with my voice, I knew I’d found where I belonged in dance music. I’ve never looked back and things have been going really well since! I am a huge fan of John Mayer’s lyric writing, but even more than that Paul Simon and Sting are huge inspirations, as well as jazz greats like Cole Porter. I grew up on jazz, as my father was a jazz pianist, and was vocally trained classically from ages 4-16 from various coaches. I used to think that in songwriting “writing your truth” meant telling the full, raw and real version of your own story and I think as a young writer is does mean that. But as you mature as a songwriting you notice that sometimes these truths are more universal and less “about you”, which I believe truly creates a deeper connection to those listening to it. The songs become truth that all of us need to say, but can’t quite find the words, rather than only your own truth.

Exron Music: You’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in electronic music such as Seven Lions,
Excision, and Armin van Buuren– how did it feel knowing you are so young in your career and
already here? Who would you like to collaborate with next?

HALIENE: I am so incredibly grateful for the success and response I have seen in my career already, and the wonderfully talented people I have gotten to work with. It was always a dream to work with some of the people I work with all the time now. I am a huge Above & Beyond fan when it comes to dance music, I love their songwriting and the career they have built on that firm foundation of strong songs. I would absolutely love to write a song with them. But my main goal these days is working on finishing and releasing my debut album!

Exron Music: What is the best advice you’ve been given?

HALIENE: John Mayer (again) once personally told me “Go write three bad songs. Release yourself from taking it too seriously.” It is true, if you’re trying to hard, it doesn’t work. You have to let songs flow through, and try to shape them, but don’t judge them, don’t control them. Kind of like children (I would imagine, I don’t have any!).

Exron Music: Who are your biggest influences in music?

HALIENE: Outside of dance music, I am a John Mayer fan, and more recently JP Saxe, as I feel their songwriting is just absolutely incredible. Vocally, I really look up to Barbara Streisand and and the late Aretha Franklin for the long and beautiful careers they both have had, as well as health of their voices throughout those careers. They both sang/sing with perfect technique and vocal health is a big passion for me. I grew up on jazz, and was vocally trained classically, so both of those genre’s also had a huge part to play. I fell in love with electronic music when I first heard Delerium, and other artists like Royksopp. It felt like a part of me came alive.

Exron Music: What is your favorite song you’ve ever released?

HALIENE: My recent solo single, “’Glass Heart’! It was inspired by a handwritten note I received from my late mother when I was 12 years old. It read, “Sometimes I feel that you should have been born with a tag on your toe that said: handle with care. But at the most difficult times of your life, I’ve seen an unmatched strength shine through when you need it most.”

This song is about me, who I am, how I was made—accepting myself in my fragile state —while handling the greatest losses in my life with a strength tougher than diamonds. You can break me open, but that’s when my strength truly shines. I’m easy to see through at times, but when I fall apart, that’s when my true purpose comes to life. I found it very interesting that glass and diamond look so similar yet hold such different capabilities. There’s a fascinating dichotomy between the two substances: one, the most breakable of all, and the other is the strongest on Earth. I celebrate both strength and fragility at once in this song, because sometimes the most formidable strength is born out of the fragility of a broken heart.

Exron Music: Has there been a show you’ve played recently that stood out to you?

HALIENE: I’m so happy shows are coming back! It was amazing to play Dreamstate Las Vegas back in May of 2021, as it was the first REAL show I’d played since the pandemic. I played a few that were either drive in or socially distanced. Seeing everyone’s faces, all singing together was magical. It felt like we never left! I am playing EDC Las Vegas next weekend, and I am so excited to play my own set. As a singer artist in a space filled with only DJs that’s really a huge achievement for me, and I am so honored to be so supported by Insomniac!

Exron Music: How did it feel to take a year and a half outside of live music during the pandemic? Did you
learn anything during that period? How did it influence your music?

HALIENE: In some ways it was really refreshing to take a break and focus on making music, and learning new ways of sharing that music with my fans, like Twitch! We had great success with streaming weekly, and I really feel it kept me in a performing mindset, as well as strengthened my connection with my fans, and brought new ones too!

Exron Music: Your latest track “Glass Heart” is about accepting yourself in a fragile state and handling
problems in your life with a strength greater than diamonds- what gives you strength when
you’re not in the right headspace?

HALIENE: Prayer, meditation and nature are the best things to bring me back to the present moment, focusing on what’s good, and what to be grateful for. I also have a wonderful support system in my husband and musical partner Matt!

Exron Music: What are your next goals in your career?

HALIENE: I am working on a full length album, and it will be my first as HALIENE. That is a huge dream of mine as well as getting tour and create a show around that album. All in the works, so stay tuned!

Exron Music: What do you hope your legacy to fans will be?

HALIENE: I strive to create music that catches your heart by surprise in the moments listening to my songs. That they would be transported to another world where things are how we dream them to be. That a deeply hidden wounds inside would be revealed to you, brought to light and healed.